Finding your North Star

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Emma Warren. 

Wearing multiple hats - Chair of Somerset Chamber, Co-Chair of the Economic Growth Board, and now involved with the Skills Health partnership for Somerset – Emma is involved right...

I invited Roger Proctor, former Chairman of Proctor and Stevenson to join me on the live-talk stage at the Gloucester Business Show, where I asked him about how he felt when preparing to exit from P&S after 40 years, what he thought hgkc could offer, and how he was finding semi-retirement 18 months on. It's a fascinating insight into how a business owner who really cares about his business, and the people he has worked wit...

In this episode of the HGKC podcast, Finding your North Star, host Kim Jones of hgkc welcomes Stacey Mead, HR Department Bristol, to discuss significant proposed changes in UK employment legislation following the election of a Labour government. They explore key topics such as the transformation of unfair dismissal rights to a day one entitlement, the clarity sought for employment statuses, and potential regulations on 'fire a...

Kim Jones from hgkc talks to Stacey Mead, Director of The HR Dept about the recent changes to employment law.  Stacey’s career began in the recruitment industry before moving into HR. Having joined The HR Dept in 2007 Stacey is now a trustee and member of The HR Dept Group board as well as The HR Dept Bristol and North Somerset. Stacey’s role involves developing and growing the business as well as The HR Dept's internal HR str...

People are the Key is a collaboration between hgkc, Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace and DISCsimple, experts who work with businesses and other organisations that have issues with conflict and employee engagement. 

In this prerecorded conversation, Kim Jones and Jeremy Marchant explore why conflict can sometimes be perpetuated within the organisation when the cause of it is outside; what is meant by trust and trustw...

Peter Quintana talks to David Macdonald, founder of Path Financial, a wealth management firm that only invests client money in funds committed to positive impact. In a wide-ranging and inspirational conversation, David talks about the moment he realised he could no longer continue what he was doing and remain true to his values, how the Path is firmly focused on doing good for the planet and earthlings, his thoughts about the futur...

Peter Quintana from hgkc talks to brothers Andy and Tim Fussell about their farming heritage, their pioneering move into producing cold-pressed, virgin rape seed oil and earning a place for it alongside olive oil in the culinary world, how buying steel is like buying a coffee, and why there is only one ‘l’ in fussels fine foods. The way that they have developed the fussels brand, to the point that is has become associated with rape...

Kim Jones from hgkc in conversation with Paul Netto, hgkc Associate, Accountant, Business Advisor and owner of Equifino. 

Paul has a long track record helping independent business owners achieve their goals, and in this podcast shares his strategic and practical advice to help independent business owners realise better exits from their businesses by starting early, focusing on their goals and getting a good understanding o...

Kim Jones of hgkc in conversation with Sam Talby of undebt, a turnaround specialist, qualified mediator and insolvency practitioner, Sam shares his practical and thoughtful advice to help directors and owners get the best possible outcome when they hit their lowest point. We delve into the essential tests of viability, why transparency matters and options open to businesses facing failure. His compassionate approach is refreshing a...

The dynamic team heading up ZiaBia embraced digital disruption in their corporate events company with the same creativity and “can do" approach that has fuelled their business since starting out in 2012. They have re-imagined events for clients and introduced new clients to the world of hybrid and virtual formats. Creating events that have an impact and their client’s love, from a mind-reading magician, escape rooms and cockta...

Peter Marchbank MD of Rotary Precision Instruments was interviewed by Kim Jones from hgkc as he reflects on his four-year journey at RPI UK, bringing a specialist engineering company with a long history of innovation in rotary measurement into its next generation – of products and people.  He generously shares his lessons learned along the way and some of his blueprint for success.  His enthusiasm and lifelong passion for engineeri...

James Short of hgkc speaks to Mark Watts, owner and founder of Yumo Finance, about the importance of understanding the financial flows through a business, and of planning in advance even in times of uncertainty. As an independent broker with a background in banking, Mark offers invaluable advice for how business owners can improve their cash flows and shorten their working capital cycles without resorting to borrowing, but also mak...

Kim Jones from hgkc speaks to Helen Isherwood is the Innovation Director at Adey, Queen’s Award-winning company recognised for their pioneering work in maintaining and protecting central heating systems in the UK and around the world.  Helen leads an ambitious team focused on product development and commercialisation of new products and services.  It’s an exciting time at Adey’s and Helen shares their secrets of success and how the...

Courage to lead with compassion and conviction - Mark Colbourne talks to James Short of hgkc about his journey of personal challenge and courage from the world of elite sport into business life.  His enthusiasm and drive are infectious as he shares his insights on building confidence, mindset, and wellbeing from his earliest days through to his world record breaking achievements at the 2012 Paralympics and his international speakin...

In this, the first in our new Conversations podcast series, Sarah Owen, founder of DISCsimple, talks to James Short of hgkc about how he brings his experience of leadership and planning from the military and also from his own business that he set up and ran profitably throughout the last financial crisis in 2008.  This advice is individually tailored to help hgkc clients battling with the current crisis and who are now facing a sec...