Raymond Blanc on nurturing excellence, the sacrifices behind it, and passing on his vision

Raymond Blanc on nurturing excellence, the sacrifices behind it, and passing on his vision

What does it mean to build something extraordinary over a lifetime - and then step back from running it? In this episode of Six Degrees of Purpose, we’re joined by Raymond Blanc, as he reflects on his unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, and the creation of a world defined by excellence, craft, and uncompromising standards. Raymond shares how his approach was never about following fashion, but about building something rooted in deep values - where vision is not just shared, but truly owned by everyone involved in bringing it to life. We explore the mindset behind creating environments like Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons and Brasserie Blanc, the importance of nurturing young talent, and the joy he finds in mentoring the next generation of chefs and leaders. Now at an inflection point in his career, Raymond reflects on stepping into a Lifetime Ambassador role and passing on day-to-day control. He shares how letting go does not feel like loss, but rather the natural continuation of a vision he has spent decades building. This conversation is for anyone thinking about leadership, legacy, and what it really means to pass something on without it losing its soul.

Jonny Plein on selling your identity, the cost of winning young, and the second act

What happens when you sell the company you founded at just 27 - and it’s been a defining part of your identity? In this episode of Six Degrees of Purpose, we’re joined by entrepreneur Jonny Plein to explore the reality behind that experience. Jonny shares a deeply honest account of how his upbringing shaped both his drive to succeed and the challenges that followed, and how 'winning' at such a young age led to unexpected feelings of loss and imposter syndrome. We discuss the process of going again, rebuilding with greater self-awareness, and learning to separate self-worth from any single venture. This conversation is for anyone who has ever reached a milestone, only to find it didn’t feel quite how they expected - and is now asking what comes next.

Joanna Jensen on selling a business, life after exit, and rediscovering purpose

In this episode of Six Degrees of Purpose, we’re joined by prolific entrepreneur, adviser, author, and Chair of the EIS Association, Joanna Jensen. We explore her journey of building and ultimately selling Childs Farm - and what happens after the moment many founders spend years working towards. Joanna shares her candid reflections on life post-exit, from the emotional comedown to the process of rediscovering purpose beyond the business. We discuss what financial independence really means in practice, how it shapes freedom, identity and decision-making, and why the founder journey is often far more complex than it appears from the outside. This conversation is for anyone interested in how purpose evolves over time - whether you’re building, exiting, or simply thinking more deeply about what comes next in your wealth journey.

Dr. Eliza Filby on generational change, work and the future of wealth

In this episode of Six Degrees of Purpose, we’re joined by historian and generational expert Dr Eliza Filby. We explore how generational change is reshaping attitudes to family life, work, money and success - and why the Bank of Mum and Dad has played such a pivotal role in shaping society today. Eliza shares insights on how different generations define achievement, the tension between those who inherit and those who don’t, financial security and personal meaning, and why inherited ideas about wealth no longer fit the world we’re living in. This conversation is for anyone navigating success, responsibility and identity in a period of profound social change.

Vicky Reynal on money, relationships and how much is enough

Financial psychotherapist and bestselling author Vicky Reynal joins Six Degrees of Purpose to explore the emotional side of money. We discuss how money shows up in relationships, how childhood experiences shape financial behaviour in adulthood, and how to think about what is truly “enough” when planning your life. This episode is for anyone interested in understanding their relationship with money more deeply.