UK Director Business

UK Director Business

Born from real experience of running and leading a business, the UK Director Business Podcast recognises how challenging, and lonely, life at the top can be. Created for business owners, CEOs, directors and senior decision makers, it delivers inspiring, practical and informative content. Expect honest conversations with business leaders sharing their personal journeys, alongside expert insights, tips and advice to help you navigate challenges and find the support you need.

Episodes

September 21, 2026 54 mins

In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Rob Thacker talk to Lynn MacDonald, CEO at Prettys Solicitors.

From a Saturday job at B&Q to becoming CEO of Prettys in 2026, Lynn's career journey is a masterclass in following your strengths. She shares her experience working in HR across the public and private sectors, challenges the stigma often attached to the profession, and expla...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Rob Thacker talk to Matt Freestone, founder of CRM and data services business, Unmatched.

In this inspiring episode, Matt talks about how a CRM can revolutionise your business and how what he does helps organisations to build success with a purpose. He talks about his early career, from when he was 26 years old and in charge of a £2.5 million m...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, host and Managing Editor of UK Director Magazines, Sue Wilcock, and co-host Rob Thacker, CEO of Sona Insurance, are joined by podcast producer Callum Howard, co-founder of Limitless Film and Media.

This episode is a recap of our most recent episodes where we chat about the common threads coming up in our conversations around running a business and reflect on the lessons we’v...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, Sue Wilcock of UK Director Magazines and Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance talk to the Joint Managing Directors of Barnes Construction, Bob Steward & Mark Hart.

This is a fascinating insight into how two experienced operators share the responsibility of running a business as joint MDs. We take a trip down memory lane and reflect on how they have steadied the ship through d...

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April 16, 2026 46 mins

Join our UK Director Business Club:
https://ukdirectormagazines.co.uk/uk-director-business-club/

In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, Sue Wilcock of UK Director Magazines and Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance, talk to Simon Bennett, CEO of VINTTRO.

Simon always brings a fantastic energy, and this episode is no different. We delve into his lifelong insomnia, building a successful lifestyle insurance busi...

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March 16, 2026 38 mins

In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, co-host Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance, talks to Gemma aka Rosie Cairns, CEO of ROL Cruise.

ROL Cruise helps its customers find their dream cruise holiday, but the people behind the brand are innovating beyond just cruises. After a successful transition into an employee ownership trust, the brand has become one of the UK’s best companies to work for. Find out how Gemma naviga...

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February 16, 2026 39 mins

In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, co-host Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance, talks to Jenny Hanlon, CEO of Adnams Southwold.

This is a glimpse into Jenny’s rise through the ranks of one of Suffolk’s most prestigious businesses, juggling life in the boardroom and as a parent, as well as how she sees herself as a custodian of the centuries-old Adnams brand which spans brewing, distilling, wine, retai...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, co-host Rob Thacker, CEO of Sona Insurance, talks to ex-MD, coach, speaker, and new head of operations at Finova Money, Anna Butcher.

There is so much to take from the episode. Anna talks candidly about being a young MD in financial services despite not being qualified in the field, how she believes that creating the best environment and culture for a team yields the best ...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, sponsored by Unity Online, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Alex Pattenden talk to Michelle Denny, Founder and MD of Michelle Denny Recruitment.

Michelle talks about how she fell into recruitment at a fairly late stage in her career, and the pivotal point that led her to take the gigantic step and set up her own business six years ago at the age of 53. She shares her vulnerability and...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, sponsored by Unity Online, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Matt Sykes talk to Founder and CEO of HALO.

HALO is the world’s first Purebred Unicorn and the UK’s second most valuable software company (behind sage). Paul shares his reasons behind starting the business, how they hire on character rather than experience, and how the business has grown from its HQ in Suffolk, to...

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May 12, 2025 52 mins

In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, sponsored by Unity Online, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Matt Sykes talk to Jake Nicholls, CEO of Tru7 Group.

Jake is the third generation in the family business, having made the decision to join Tru7 in his mid-twenties after giving up competing internationally as a professional motorcross rider. In this episode, Jake talks about his reasons for making this decision and how the fa...

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April 5, 2025 33 mins

In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, sponsored by Unity Online, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Matt Sykes talk to Therapeutic Coach, Cassandra Andrews, who is on a mission to help men 40+ find the emotional and physical freedom they crave. As a self-confessed podcast junkie, she consumes everything she can on mindset and motivation and in this episode, she shares her thoughts about how we have a generation of men who ...

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In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, which is sponsored by Unity Online, host Sue Wilcock welcomes guest Steve Flory, who shares his career journey from working in IT in the insurance sector, to launching his business, Ansaback, and then buying Hudson Group, which produces branded display products. Steve shares his valuable insights into entrepreneurship, customer service, and community engagement. He also discusses...

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In the inaugural episode of the UK Director Magazines business podcast, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Matt Sykes interview Jon Reed, CEO and co-owner of Paddy and Scott's Coffee. The discussion explores Jon's journey prior to joining the business as MD and then completing an MBO in 2023. He talks frankly about his decision to buy the business, the challenges he faced and his personal transformation regarding health and lifestyle. Jo...

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