Can Manchester Become Europe's Innovation Capital? | Dr Karim Bahou

Can Britain Lead the Renewable Energy Revolution? | Jürgen Maier CBE on AI, Energy & Manufacturing

Can Britain become the world's next clean energy superpower? In this episode of Tomorrow - The Future Forum Podcast, Oli Barrett MBE sits down with Jürgen Maier CBE, Chair of Great British Energy and former CEO of Siemens UK, to explore how renewable energy, AI and advanced manufacturing could reshape Britain's future. Jürgen explains why he believes the UK's renewable transition is already well underway, how artificial intelligence is changing energy demand, why hydrogen could become a crucial part of the energy system, and why manufacturing must return to Britain if we want long-term economic growth. If you're interested in technology, business, innovation, manufacturing, sustainability or the future of Britain, this conversation is packed with insights. Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping tomorrow. *Prof. Jürgen Maier CBE, FRS, FREng, FIET, FCGIIndustrialist, Chair of Great British Energy, Co-founder of vocL and former Chief Executive of Siemens UK* Jürgen Maier served as the former Chief Executive of Siemens UK. Over his 33-year career with Siemens, he held several senior roles in the UK and Germany. During Jürgen’s leadership, the company played a pivotal role in UK’s decarbonisation of the electricity system. Jürgen takes a strong leadership role for UK’s industrial, infrastructure and manufacturing community. He served on the Board of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills from 2014 to 2016 and his work has supported several previous government Industrial Strategy initiatives.Jürgen believes that businesses should play an active role in society and community matters. To further this mission, he co-founded the social enterprise vocL.In July 2024, Jürgen was appointed as Start Up Chair of Great British Energy to drive forward this new, operationally independent company. *About the Podcast* The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. *Chapters* 00:00 The future of renewable energy 00:42 Introduction to Jürgen Maier CBE 01:48 Why the energy transition is already happening 03:37 How much of the UK's power is renewable? 05:30 Why homegrown energy matters 06:50 How Britain's energy system actually works 08:00 What Great British Energy will do 09:54 Working with—not against—the private sector 11:44 Community-owned energy explained 14:14 Responsible business and leadership 16:45 Why Britain needs manufacturing again 20:03 Energy security and industrial sovereignty 21:26 AI's growing energy problem 23:21 Can renewable energy keep up with AI? 24:58 Hydrogen and the future of energy storage 27:50 Answering the biggest renewable energy myths 29:39 Britain's biggest opportunity over the next 20 years 30:49 Lessons from Austria, Siemens and Europe 33:24 Green jobs and the future workforce 36:13 The most underrated energy technology 38:00 Innovation, leadership and Britain's future (update once final edit is locked) 47:00 Quick fire questions (update once final edit is locked) 51:50 Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Man Behind GOV.UK on AI, Digital Transformation & Why Most Organisations Get UX Wrong | Ben Terrett CBE

What makes great digital products? Ben Terrett CBE helped create GOV.UK, one of the world's most respected digital services, before becoming CEO of Public Digital, where he now advises governments and organisations across the globe on digital transformation. In this episode of Tomorrow, Ben joins Victoria Usher and Oli Barrett MBE to discuss why most organisations overcomplicate technology, what AI will change about government and public services, and why the best products always begin with understanding users, not technology. Whether you're a founder, product leader, designer, policymaker or simply interested in the future of AI, this conversation is packed with practical insights. #ai #creativity #innovation #leadership *Ben Terrett CBE* Ben Terrett CBE is CEO and co-founder of Public Digital, helping organisations around the world transform how they deliver services. Previously, he led design at the UK Government Digital Service, where he helped create GOV.UK, and was later Group Design Director at the Co-op. A Royal Designer for Industry and Design Week Hall of Fame inductee, Ben was appointed CBE in 2025 for services to design and, in 2026, Chair of Art UK, the online home of the UK's national collection of art. *About the Podcast* The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. *Chapters* 00:00 Introduction 02:24 What will AI-powered governments look like in 10 years? 04:24 Why Estonia leads digital government 05:09 Lessons from creating GOV.UK 06:21 The secret to great product design 07:17 Why user research changes everything 08:24 The GOV.UK design mistake that failed instantly 11:20 Watch what users do—not what they say 15:16 Building GOV.UK like a startup 17:30 Is government ready for Agentic AI? 21:04 What Public Digital actually does 23:04 Should governments build AI into public services? 24:43 Why modern technology overcomplicates everything 27:28 Leave Your Lane: lessons from multiple careers 29:37 Why optimism is a leadership advantage 37:02 Digital sovereignty explained 46:18 What design really means 49:58 What excites Ben about the future 50:46 Ben's Memo to the Future 52:44 Final reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

AI, Growth & Exports: How Britain Can Compete Again | Shevaun Haviland CBE

Is Britain still one of the best places in the world to do business? In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast, Oli Barrett sits down with Shevaun Haviland CBE, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, to explore the biggest opportunities and challenges facing UK businesses. From artificial intelligence and political uncertainty to exports, investment and the future of work, Shevaun shares why she believes optimism is an underrated leadership quality and why Britain must start investing in itself again. If you're interested in leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, AI or the future of the UK economy, this conversation is packed with practical insights. Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the future of business, technology and society. #AI #Creativity #innovation #leadership *Shevaun Haviland CBE, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce* Director General of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) since April 2021, Shevaun was formerly Head of Business Engagement at Number 10 Downing Street and was at the heart of Government in the Cabinet Office as Head of the Inclusive Economy Partnership. Shevaun started her career in consultancy in London and New York. She then moved to the Walt Disney Company in strategic planning before joining Disneyland Paris, opening its second theme park. Shevaun then joined the agency world, running global accounts for Millward Brown, Mindshare and WPP. Following this, she started her own business as a partner in a digital innovation agency and venture builder, Independents United, where she also became an Advisor for the Danson Foundation. Most recently, Shevaun was the New Ventures Director for Avado, building new businesses in Edtech and founding the Academy of Digital Business Leaders. Shevaun has a passion for business as a force for good and in 2025 was awarded a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to business. She was elected to the International Chambers of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Federation Executive Council and General Council as Vice Chair for Europe and is a Board member of ICC UK. She is a Trustee of the Women of the World Foundation (WoW) and a Trustee of Barefoot College International, as well as a Venture Partner at the Conduit Connect. *About the Podcast* The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. *Chapters* 00:00 Optimism is an underrated leadership quality 00:24 Introduction 01:24 A vision for the future of work and AI 02:40 From Disney to Downing Street 03:43 Why optimism creates better leaders 04:08 What British businesses are worrying about today 05:58 Political uncertainty and the cost of instability 07:30 What the British Chambers of Commerce actually does 08:21 Why business should be a force for good 09:19 The remarkable origins of the Chamber of Commerce 10:26 Business, purpose and social impact 14:22 Is Britain still a great place to do business? 16:36 Why businesses are optimistic despite the economy 18:14 Can business really influence government? 19:18 The AI revolution and the future of the Chambers 20:50 How AI is changing UK businesses today 22:57 Politics, leadership and making change 24:10 Why Britain must invest in itself 25:02 Why exporting is the fastest way to grow 26:21 Companies and leaders Shevaun admires 27:35 AI tools every business should be exploring 29:11 AI, customer service and human connection 30:52 Will AI replace graduate jobs? 32:15 The changing skills employers value 34:00 The future of British business 42:00 Final reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Future of Creativity: Why AI Won't Replace Human Imagination | Julian Douglas

What happens when one of the world's leading creative agency CEOs looks at the future of AI, creativity and human potential? In this episode of Future Forum, Oli Barrett MBE sits down with Julian Douglas (Dougie), Group CEO of VCCP, Chair of UK Advertising and one of the most influential figures in the creative industries. Together they explore how AI is transforming advertising, why curiosity is becoming the most valuable skill in business, and what organisations need to do to thrive in an era of exponential change. Dougie shares the story behind VCCP's viral AI-powered "Daisy" campaign for O2, explains why AI should accelerate rather than replace human creativity, and reveals why the future belongs to people who are willing to leave their lane, challenge convention and keep looking up. From the future of work and entry-level jobs to customer experience, storytelling and innovation, this is a conversation about what it takes to build businesses — and careers — that thrive in a rapidly changing world. *Julian Douglas, Group CEO, VCCP* Known universally as Dougie (except to his parents), his 25-year journey through advertising reads like a who's who of creative powerhouses – from WCRS, to BBH, TBWA and Grey (twice). In 2008, he found his home at VCCP, initially leading the agency's cornerstone account, O2. Today, as Group CEO, he's architecting VCCP's global ambitions, establishing dynamic hubs across North America and Asia that serve world-class brands including White Claw, Mondelez, Salesforce, Google, and PepsiCo. Under his leadership, VCCP achieved a remarkable double victory in 2025, securing Campaign's Global Agency of the Year in both Integrated and Independent Agency categories. A regular voice at the industry's most prestigious platforms – from SXSW and Cannes Lions to the Shanghai International Advertising Festival (SHIAF) – Dougie is passionate about advertising's potential as a force for positive change. This conviction drives his numerous leadership roles: Chair of the UK Advertising Export Group (UKAEG), active member of the IPA Council (where he served as President 2021-2023), Meta Advisory Council member, and Chair of Black Representation in Marketing (BRiM). Beyond the industry, Dougie serves as an Independent Trustee at the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), working to coordinate humanitarian responses to international crises. He's also Co-Founder of Lucky Voice, the UK's premier private karaoke company, which he launched with VCCP's Global CSO Jonny Shaw 20 years ago – where he's always happy to demonstrate his commitment to creative expression. Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders, innovators and thinkers shaping tomorrow. #FutureForum #AI #Creativity #innovation #leadership #advertising #futureofwork #artificialintelligence #customerexperience *About the Podcast* The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. *Chapters* 00:00 Introduction 01:28 The Future Is Already Here 03:52 Why AI Is About Better, Not Just Faster 07:12 Advertising Becomes Customer Experience 10:18 Solving the Wrong Problem 13:35 The AI Grandma Fighting Scammers 18:10 Branded AI Agents and Customer Relationships 21:25 How AI Is Changing Jobs and Skills 24:52 Why VCCP Is Hiring More Young Talent 27:18 The Future Shape of Organisations 29:54 Leadership, Curiosity and Creative Culture 33:02 Advertising as a Force for Good 36:05 Creativity, Society and Human Behaviour 38:28 What's Making Dougie Optimistic? 40:15 The Cadbury AI Campaign 42:18 Authenticity, AI and Consumer Trust 43:55 What AI Will Never Replace 45:02 Why AI Enhances Human Creativity 46:22 Leaving Your Lane 47:10 A Memo to the Future: Keep Looking Up 47:59 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Can Manchester Become Europe's Innovation Capital? | Dr Karim Bahou

In this episode, Oli Barrett MBE sits down with Dr Karim Bahou, Head of Innovation at Sister, Manchester's £1.7 billion innovation district, to explore the future of technology, entrepreneurship and economic growth. From artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to startup ecosystems and the power of place, Karim shares why the next wave of innovation will depend on bringing together founders, researchers, investors, corporates and communities. The conversation explores how AI is moving beyond productivity tools to accelerate scientific discovery, why engineering biology could become one of the most transformative technologies of the century, and what Britain can do to strengthen its position as a global innovation leader. Karim also explains why physical innovation hubs still matter in a world of remote work, how Manchester is building a world-class ecosystem for ambitious founders, and why curiosity, resilience and openness to change may be the most valuable skills of the future. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, policymaker or simply fascinated by where technology is taking us, this episode offers a compelling look at the forces shaping tomorrow. Dr Karim Bahou is Head of Innovation at Sister, Manchester’s new innovation district. In this role, he spearheads the global development of Sister’s ecosystem, working with senior leaders from Bruntwood SciTech and The University of Manchester to accelerate the growth of ambitious start-ups in Manchester and beyond. Karim brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of academia and industry. He holds a PhD in organic chemistry from Imperial College London and has conducted research at Imperial, CSIRO in Australia, and the University of Liverpool. Alongside his academic career, he has held senior consulting roles at Plexal and FIS360 Ltd., where he specialised in building partnerships between government, academia, industry leaders, and SMEs to drive technological innovation. His career reflects a strong commitment to enabling innovation, nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems, and supporting organisations to translate cutting-edge research into real-world impact. #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #entrepreneurship #manchester #futureofwork #technology *About the Podcast* The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. *Chapters* 00:00 Introduction: The Future of Innovation 01:25 AI Beyond Productivity Tools 04:10 Why Small Companies Lead Innovation 06:30 From Academia to Innovation Leadership 09:15 Inside Sister: Manchester's Innovation District 13:00 Why Physical Innovation Hubs Matter 16:20 Building Communities for Founders 18:40 Startups Solving Global Problems 19:10 Space Systems: Satellites & Climate Data 22:00 NeuWave: AI Modelling the Oceans 25:00 Unbezo: Data Science & Healthcare Innovation 28:00 Remote Work vs The Power of Place 31:20 How Corporates Can Innovate Faster 34:30 The Skills That Will Matter Most 35:50 Why Britain Punches Above Its Weight 37:15 The Potential of Synthetic Biology 39:00 Connecting Innovation Across UK Cities 42:00 Policy Changes That Could Unlock Growth 44:30 Why Leaving Your Lane Matters 47:00 The Future of Manchester Innovation 50:15 A Memo to Future Innovators 52:10 What Innovation Really Means 54:00 Building the Next Generation of UK Startups Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]