“I turned down Michael Jackson”: Inside the mind of a hitmaker to the stars

“I turned down Michael Jackson”: Inside the mind of a hitmaker to the stars

How does a boy from North London with severe visual impairment go on to become one of the most influential music producers of his generation, shaping global hits and defining the sound of an era? In this episode of ‘Winning’, Ian Rosenblatt OBE sits down with Sir Robin Millar CBE to explore a remarkable life lived through determination, instinct and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence. The conversation traces Robin’s unconventional route into the music industry, from early inspiration in blues music to chance encounters that changed the course of his career. He offers a rare insight into the mindset behind producing global artists, explaining why success is as much about discipline, commercial awareness and emotional authenticity as it is about raw talent. From turning down opportunities with the world’s biggest stars to backing his own judgement in pivotal moments, his story is one of conviction and clarity. In this episode, you will learn about: ▪️ Redefining limitation: How navigating disability built adaptability, confidence and a unique perspective. ▪️ The business behind creativity: Why talent alone is never enough and how marketing and instinct drive success. ▪️ Backing your judgement: The importance of knowing when to say no, even to the biggest opportunities. ▪️ The power of precision: How obsessive attention to detail became a defining competitive advantage. Whether you are a creative, a leader, or simply curious about the realities behind success, Sir Robin Millar’s story offers a powerful reminder that winning is rarely linear and always deeply personal. video description: Sir Robin Millar and Ian Rosenblatt seated on a sofa during an interview, with Ian on the left of the screen and Robin on the right, both facing slightly towards each other.

"I paid their bonuses from my salary": The CEO who rewrote the rules

How does a woman from a humble Midlands background, who began her working life in a job centre, rise to become one of the most powerful figures in British financial services? In this episode of ‘Winning’, Ian Rosenblatt OBE sits down with Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia to discuss her extraordinary journey. Jayne-Anne shares candid insights into the resilience required to win in male-dominated environments, tracing her grit back to being bullied for her height at a school that had, until shortly before she joined, been all-boys. She also reveals the immense personal challenges she faced, including facing down racism and threats to protect her relationship with her husband, Ashok. The conversation dives deep into her professional highlights, from her early days at Norwich Union to building the Virgin Money brand alongside Richard Branson. Dame Jayne-Anne also explains why she believes authenticity is the ultimate strategy for success and why true winning is about purpose, not just the financial "score". In this episode, you will learn: • The power of resilience: How early school challenges built the strength to lead in finance. • Changing the rules: Why the "Women in Finance" review was necessary to level the playing field. • Entrepreneurial lessons: What she learned about marketing and "getting famous" from Richard Branson. • A new definition of winning: Why purpose and staying true to yourself are more important than any balance sheet. Whether you are an aspiring leader or a seasoned professional, Dame Jayne-Anne’s story provides a masterclass in how to win by staying true to yourself. (00:00) Introduction to Dame Jane-Anne Gadhia (01:20) Early Life and Family Background (11:57) Career Beginnings and Challenges (17:11) Navigating Gender and Racial Dynamics (24:29) Leadership Philosophy and Success (51:01) Transition to Virgin Money and Entrepreneurial Spirit (01:01:12) Founding Snoop and Reflections on Career (01:05:52) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Football’s ultimate fixer: The man behind the biggest takeovers

Dr. Keith R Harris aka “The Fixer” is the investment banker known for orchestrating some of the most high-profile takeovers in football history. In this episode of ‘Winning’, Keith sits down with podcast host Ian Rosenblatt to reveal what it’s really like at the top of the multi-billion-pound world of sports finance. From his early days playing for Bradford Park Avenue to becoming a managing director at Morgan Grenfell and CEO of Drexel Burnham Lambert International in his early 30s, Keith has always been driven by the "winning gene". He shares the inside story of surviving the ITV Digital collapse, navigating the high-yield "junk bond" era with Michael Milken, and signing the £5 billion "highly confident letter" for Jimmy Goldsmith’s hostile bid for British American Tobacco (BAT). In this episode, they discuss: • The "fixer" mentality: Why instinct often beats analysis when billions are on the line. • Football takeovers: The reality of brokering deals for the world’s biggest clubs. • Surviving crisis: Navigating the collapse of ITV Digital and the Barings Bank "black hole". • High-stakes risk: The transition from university poker games to managing global finance

Billion-dollar space secrets: Winning big with the Seraphim Space fund

Is space the ultimate "winning" investment? In this episode of ‘Winning’, host Ian Rosenblatt OBE sits down with Mark Boggett, the co-founder and CEO of Seraphim Space, the world’s first and only listed venture capital fund dedicated entirely to space technology. From being the first person in his family to go to university, to pioneering a trillion-dollar frontier, Mark reveals the mindset required to win in the most challenging investment sector on Earth (and beyond).  Discover why Mark views dyslexia as his "superpower", how he secured his first VC role by working for free, and why he believes you should "double down" on space tech investment right now. We dive deep into the future of humanity, discussing: ·      The "broken" entrepreneur: Why the best founders often have a "fault" that drives them to succeed. ·      “Kind of a lonely place”: How mentors can help to ward off the everyday isolation of being a CEO  ·      The lunar race: Why the US is playing catch-up with China and when we can expect a habitable moon base. ·      Venture capital secrets: The $20 million cost of training a VC and when to "wave the white flag" on a failing business. Subscribe to ‘Winning’ now to get under the skin of what it takes to win at the highest level.   (00:00) – "Kind of a lonely place": The reality of being a CEO. (02:35) – The Gordon Gekko influence: How the film Wall Street sparked Mark’s ambition to become a stockbroker. (03:10) – Dyslexia as a superpower: Why thinking differently is an essential advantage in high-stakes venture capital. (06:42) – The 400 letters: A masterclass in tenacity and how Mark secured his first roles. (15:24) – Backing yourself: The true entrepreneurial moment when Mark worked for free for six months. (19:40) – The $20 million training cost: The reality of the "scars" and losses required to become a winning VC. (22:50) – Waving the white flag: Discipline in venture capital and knowing exactly when to cut your losses. (46:58) – The "broken" entrepreneur: Why the best founders often have a "fault" that drives them. (49:40) – The lunar race: Why America is playing catch-up with China on the Moon. (53:07) – "Double down right now": Mark’s direct advice on the conviction required to win in the space market. (55:40) – The final frontier: From lunar habitats to the trillion-dollar future of space-based industries.

"I set it on fire": Rebecca Salter on winning at art

What does it take to win in the world of high art? In this episode of Winning, we sit down with Rebecca Salter CBE, the first female President of the Royal Academy of Arts, to discuss a career built on radical choices, creative destruction, and a "masterless" journey through Japan. Rebecca shares the extraordinary story of how she rejected an elite academic path at Oxford University to follow her intuition into art school - a move that caused an "almighty rumpus" at the time. She also reveals the ruthless philosophy behind her process: why she threw her entire degree show into the River Avon and why she believes you must stop being "sentimentally attached" to your work if you want to truly progress. In this episode, you’ll discover: * The power of intuition: Why Rebecca defied her school and caused an "almighty rumpus" by choosing art school over Oxford. * Creative destruction: The strategy of "losing attachment" to your work, including why she threw her entire degree show into the River Avon. * Winning as an "oddity": How her unconventional upbringing as a vicar's daughter taught her to thrive in solitude and independent thinking. * The "Masterless Samurai" mindset: Lessons in resilience from navigating the Japanese art world alone after her mentor’s sudden death. (00:00) Early Influences and Artistic Journey (02:55) Navigating Art Education and Career Choices (06:01) Cultural Exploration in Japan (09:03) Developing a Unique Aesthetic (11:54) Challenges and Opportunities in Japan (14:48) Building a Career as an Artist (17:48) Reflections on Artistic Growth and Identity (22:29) The Journey of Selling Art (24:00) Transitioning from Ceramics to Printmaking (25:34) Recognition and Emotional Impact of Art (27:37) Becoming a Royal Academy Academician (28:44) The Role of the Keeper and Leadership (30:12) Navigating the Pandemic's Challenges (35:51) The Summer Exhibition's Historical Significance (42:08) The Dynamics of the Artistic Community