The Royal & Derngate is a crown jewel in Northamptonshire, and Development Manager Chris Smith discusses their work across the summer ‘dark’ season before the re-opening with a Made in Northamptonshire production ‘Breaking the Code’ . Chris also talks about other ways to engage with and support the theatre, including a successful opportunities to join its Directors’ Circle or Business Club. See https://royalandderngate.co.uk/together/working-with-your-business/
Originally broadcast 19th August on Open4Business on NLive Raido
Originally broadcast on the 19th August on Open4Business on NLive Radio
Fueling Innovation through coffee! The University of Northampton’s Regional Business Engagement Officer Adam Lawton discusses the University’s Fueling Innovation campaign, with a series of special events and a coffee van going across the county to facilitate conversations to engage and support businesses. See https://www.northampton.ac.uk/business/fuelling-innovation/
Originally Broadcast 19th August 2025 on Open4Business on NLive Radio
Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Lead at Silverstone Park, discusses the growth of the advanced engineering business park located next to the world-famous F1 circuit. She also shares the story behind founding the Women's Innovation Network, which aims to support women in engineering and those leading businesses across the region. Follow Silverstone Park on LinkedIn or via www.silverstone-park.com
Originally broadcast 15th July 2025 on Open4Business on NLive Raido
Founder Vicki Thomas and current co-lead Emmeline Child of the University of Northampton’s Centre for Sustainable Futures discuss how partnerships are key to sustainability, sharing details of their work and research with the fashion and toy industries alongside the charity sector to reduce waste, repurpose old and returned stock and thereby help these industries move closer to a circular economy.
Originally broadcast on Open4Business 1st July 2025
Publisher Ben Thomas of All Things Business celebrates the 100th edition of the magazine as well as the launch of the 2025 Northants Business Excellence and Northants Education Awards which he runs. Also learn about Ben's social impact initiatives, and the thinking behind his motto 'Business Needs Education and Education Needs Business' .
See https://allthingsbusiness.co.uk/
Originally broadcast on Open4Business Tuesday 29th April 2025
In this thought-provoking episode, Vanessa Ugatti, The True Worth Expert exposes the costly mistake professional service providers make by not charging their true worth — and the long-term damage it can cause to the firm’s revenue and their people’s morale, health, and well-being. See https://www.thetrueworthexpert.com
Originally broadcast on Open4Business Tuesday 29th April 2025
Helen Russell, an early careers specialist, talks about apprenticeships and as well as sharing highlights from the recent UON Employer Connect event. Hear about Helen's business, The Right Track Consultancy, and her views on embedding and developing talent for long-term business success.
Open4Business Originally broadcast Tuesday 29th April 2025
Experienced Impact Practitioner Shehnaaz Latif reports on her successful inaugural Impact Showcase in December and her plans for 2025 - and how we can all help ourselves with some me time. See https://tootservices.co.uk/
Farmer and entrepreneur Duncan Farrington MBE talks about the New Year's Honours award as he prepares to celebrate 20 years of Farrington Oils - and how he is still innovating. See https://farrington-oils.co.uk/
Cllr Rebecca Breeze is the West Northants Council Cabinet Member responsible for Strategic Planning, Built Environment & Rural Affairs, and here she talks about her career, her work and its long term natiue plus and the major issues she faces on behalf of local citizens.
Driving industry change and sustainability is the mission of Deborah Taylor, founder and MD of the Sustainable Leather Foundation CIC, which recently held its annual summit at the University of Northampton, from where Deborah reports on the event, the key issues and the work of the Foundation. See https://sustainableleatherfoundation.com/
Executive job hunting in mid-career has its challenges, as high flying Oxford graduate Simon Gilchrist attests following his career break. Despite a stellar CV and a top Warwick MBA, it is not easy to find a suitable new role - but this story does have a happy ending!
Entrepreneur and publisher Martin Lewis-Stephenson speaks about how he acquired and relaunched Northamptonshire's Business Times, and how his media business, the Pulse Media Group, is expanding - and the strategy and approach behind it. See https://pulsemediagroup.co.uk/
Guest presenter Rachel Mellows with special interviews all about the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards
JA Knight & Son Farmers Ltd is a successful family run business based near Walgrave, Northamptonshire. Since taking over the farm, Matt has transformed the way the land is farmed using both modern technology to reduce chemical and fertiliser additions as well as changing land use to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. The farm has planted 8 acres of woodland as well as enabling the creation of a ‘nature corridor’ from the farm to Pitsford Reservoir.
Contact - 01604 781630 & www.jaknightfarms.co.uk
Originally broadcast on Open4Business on NLive Radio 5th December 2023
Guest presenter Rachel Mellows with special interviews all about the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards
Kamil Podgorski won the Canapé of the Year award for his ‘Autumn Sonata’ – a cored scone, filled with autumn raspberry chutney and topped with parmesan and mint that was served to guests arriving at the Awards dinner.
Originally broadcast on Open4Business on NLive Radio 5th December 2023
Guest presenter Rachel Mellows with special interviews all about the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards
The Palmichael has been owned and run by the Palmiero family since 1981. Michael heads the kitchens and sister Maria runs the front of house. Their priorities are clear and simple: fine authentic Italian food and great friendly service.
Using the very best quality Italian and British ingredients – the finest Italian DOC Parma ham; Parmigiano Reggiano; buffalo mozzarella, fantastic egg pasta; tender 28-day dry aged Hereford steaks, freshly prepared fish and seafood from UK ports including Brixham, Plymouth and Billings gate market, freshly roasted coffee from Well Roasted roastery in Market Harborough and Warner Edwards Dry and Flavoured Gins from Falls Farm in Harrington.
The Palmichael aims to support local small businesses by sourcing their fresh food and drink as locally as possible and Northamptonshire has some of the best fresh produce to offer.
Available to book for lunch and dinner reservations it offers the perfect setting for group bookings, whether you are entertaining friends, having a business meeting, or hosting a party. The versatile space can host parties for up to 30 guests dining or 50 for drinks and Cicchetti, with direct access to the bar this venue is a great area for receptions.
Contact Info : 01536 723641 - www.thepalmichael.co.uk
Originally broadcast on Open4Business on NLive Radio 5th December 2023
Our series of interviews with local government councillors continues, with an engaging chat with Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services at West Northants Council. David talks about his varied career as a serial entrepreneur and for the past few years in politics, with a spell in France as wine maker and elite cycling along the way.
Martin spoke to Marco Gundermann the University of Northamptons Head of Economics, international relations and development at the Faculty of Business and Law all about last weeks autumn statement. What does it mean for general public, winners and losers, and what the political implications are for next years expected general election.
Silverstone Technology Cluster's CEO Pim Van Baarsen reports direct from STC's annual Innovation and Growth Conference, with details of the keynote speakers and a new initiative to address the skills gap in engineering. See https://www.silverstonetechnologycluster.com/