The Issue

Episode #3 Helen Pankhurst

This episode is hugely significant for us at FDisruptors HQ. Firstly because we interviewed the amazing Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst who were both leaders in the British suffragette movement, and recent author of the influential best seller Deeds not Words. Secondly because we did something that is close to our hearts - we paid it forward and invited one of our young FDisruptors, Bethany Percival, to interview her and spend time chatting through the legacy of the suffragette movement, the influence this still has on young women and gender equality today and how far we still have to go to truly see positive change around gender parity and equality. Beth has her own story to tell as Helen very kindly turned from guest to interviewer and delved into Beth's career journey into tech, her opinion on equality in today's society and their opinions on how things needed to change and progress. Quite honestly it was fascinating to listen to two women from different generations share their vision for the future and we enjoyed every single moment. Helen's rallying call - to achieve gender and pay parity by 2028 is still ringing in our ears and we have wholeheartedly integrated it into our mission. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did.

F Disruptors Episode #2 With Lou Cordwell and Liz Scott

Welcome to Episode #2 of The Issue. The second recording in our 'Honest' series we welcome two amazing women - Lou Cordwell, CEO of Magnetic North and Director of Allbright North and Liz Scott, Director and Digital & Innovation lead at EY. Both instrumental in bringing to life the recent 'Womanchester' week to celebrate IWD 2018 this interview dives straight into their career twists and turns, what it really means to be a woman in digital and how we need to move forward after the #MeToo and other consciousness raising campaigns and unite in taking action. They also talk honestly about risk, how women need to embrace it and how it is potentially one of the most significant factors that prevent more women becoming founders. It is not a new debate but we all agreed that perhaps the time has come for the debate to stop and for action to take its place. There is still a lot of work to be done and both Lou and Liz talk openly about moving this forward with a legacy that will mean that discussions like the one we are having today won't even take place in 20, or even 10, years time.

The Honest Issue brought to you by F Disruptors - Gail Jones Podcast 1 Episode #1

Episode #1 Gail Jones joint MD of UKFast Oh the joys of being storytellers! We couldn't wait to bring you the amazing, real stories of individuals who inspire us so Gail Jones joins us as our first guest on our brand new podcast The Issue, a new series of talks and interviews around tech, life and futures with a host of challenging, vibrant and truthful conversations that we can only hope will inspire, raise you up and drive you forward. Gail, co founder and joint MD of UKFast, based in Manchester, candidly talks about the early days of her career and the business, opting out of the traditional post grad position in a large corporate bank to start 'something' with her then partner, now husband and co founder, Lawrence Jones OBE. Her ability to walk away from a path that was well trodden, and possibly expected, has served her well and they have grown the business into one of the biggest and most influential businesses in the Northwest. Gail was wonderful to talk to as despite this success she was warm, welcoming and humble, not recognising herself as a role model although I have no doubts that she is. 'There has never been a doubt in my mind that women can't do anything that they want to do or be anything that they want to be'.