CEO Stories: Conversations with Greater Birmingham business leaders

Dan Boardman-Weston | Why financial literacy in the UK must improve

Dan Boardman-Weston in the CEO of BRI Wealth Management, the financial planning and wealth management firm based in Meriden. Having initially joined the firm as a trainee, Dan eventually succeeded his dad, Simon, as CEO. In this episode, he talks to Henrietta about making that transition and navigating his way through the challenges of leadership at a young age. We also hear his thoughts on the current state of play with the economy and the financial markets - and why he feels financial literacy across the UK needs to be better. Henrietta Brealey is currently on maternity leave. This interview was pre-recorded. All information was correct at the time of recording. Key topics: · His first steps into the business · Succeeding his father as CEO · Navigating leadership challenges at a young age · AI and people in the finance sector · His competitive streak · Financial literacy in the UK · The economy - present and future

Wendy Morgan | Overcoming discrimination to become a leader in tech

Wendy Morgan is the founder of the Jumar group of companies (now TXP), the Birmingham-headquartered organisation offering tech and business transformation expertise. Wendy has become a leader in the tech sector despite overcoming a series of obstacles - both during her childhood and her career. This included gender discrimination which threatened to impact her progress in the tech industry. Wendy tells Henrietta how she overcame those challenges to form a successful company which has expanded internationally. She also provides insights on the ever-changing tech and digital space - and why firms must align their investment in technology with a strong people-focused culture. Henrietta Brealey is currently on maternity leave. This interview was pre-recorded. All information was correct at the time of recording. Key topics: · Challenges faced during Wendy's childhood · First jobs and entry into the tech sector · How discrimination threatened to block her progress · Setting up the Jumar group of companies · Scaling up and international expansion · Advice to firms on embracing tech trends · Gender diversity in tech

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS | Brummie slang words, guilty pleasures and celebrity encounters

As CEO Stories takes a short summer break, we bring you a bonus episode in which some of our guests answer a series of quickfire questions. In this episode, you will hear from Professor Aleks Subic (Aston University), Jodh Dhesi (Schools of King Edward VI Foundation), Andrew Davies (Kier Group), Fran Nolan and Dre Picart (Tribera), Janie Frampton (Team You), Iain McCallister (MAN Commercial), Marina Robertson (Acivico), Emma Stenning (CBSO), Professor David Mba (Birmingham City University), Wendy Morgan (Jumar) and Dan Boardman-Weston (BRI Wealth Management). Henrietta Brealey is currently on maternity leave. This episode was pre-recorded. All information was correct at the time of recording. Running order: 02:12 – What’s your favourite Brummie slang word? * Prof Aleks Subic (Aston University) * Jodh Dhesi (Schools of KEVI Foundation) * Janie Frampton (Team You) * Fran Nolan and Dre Picart (Tribera) * Emma Stenning (CBSO) * Wendy Morgan (Jumar) 05:13 - What’s the one app on your phone that you couldn’tlive without? * Jodh Dhesi (Schools of KEVI Foundation) * Prof David Mba (Birmingham City University) * Andrew Davies (Kier Group) * Emma Stenning (CBSO) * Janie Frampton (Team You) 06:57 – Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies? * Wendy Morgan (Jumar) * Dan Boardman-Weston (BRI Wealth Management) * Iain McCallister (MAN Commercial) * Jodh Dhesi (Schools of KEVI Foundation) * Prof Aleks Subic (Aston University) 09:20 – What’s your guilty TV show or movie? * Dan Boardman-Weston (BRI Wealth Management) * Marina Robertson (Acivico) * Jodh Dhesi (Schools of KEVI Foundation) * Wendy Morgan (Jumar) * Janie Frampton (Team You) 11:34 – If you could travel the world with one famous person(living or dead) who would it be? * Iain McCallister (MAN Commercial) * Marina Robertson (Acivico) * Janie Frampton (Team You) * Emma Stenning (CBSO) * Prof David Mba (Birmingham City University) * Prof Aleks Subic (Aston University) 14:40 – What’s your best celebrity encounter? * Emma Stenning (CBSO) * Jodh Dhesi (Schools of KEVI Foundation) * Andrew Davies (Kier Group) * Iain McCallister (MAN Commercial) * Prof Aleks Subic (Aston University) * Janie Frampton (Team You)

Professor David Mba | My vision for Birmingham City University

Vice-chancellor Professor David Mba sets out his vision for Birmingham City University in this episode of CEO Stories. Professor Mba discusses the transformational journey and impact of BCU - emphasising social mobility, employability, and the importance of practice-based pedagogy. The conversation explores his unexpected path to academia, his upbringing in Nigeria, and his vision for BCU's future as outlined in their Strategy 2030. Professor Mba also touches on the role of universities in community engagement, the significance of knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs), and BCU's innovative STEAMhouse initiative. Henrietta Brealey is currently on maternity leave. This interview was pre-recorded. All information was correct at the time of recording. Key topics: · Growing up in Nigeria · Transition to the UK and academia · BCU's 2030 Strategy and beyond · Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) · Driving vision and change · Challenges and opportunities in Higher Education

Jim Simpson | Birmingham's music heritage is underappreciated

Jim Simpson is a Birmingham music legend. As well as being credited as the man who gave Black Sabbath their big break, he is the founder of Big Bear Records and the director of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival.  In this episode, Jim discusses his illustrious career spanning decades as a musician, manager, record label and festival founder, author, photographer and much more. He shares anecdotes about iconic figures he's worked with and the challenges and triumphs of Birmingham's vibrant music industry. Jim also explains why he feels Birmingham's rich musical heritage is underappreciated - and emphasises the need for a rock and roll museum to honour the city's contributions.  Henrietta Brealey is currently on maternity leave. This interview was pre-recorded. All information was correct at the time of recording. Key topics: · Founding Big Bear Records · Birth of the Jazz & Blues Festival · Managing Black Sabbath · Birmingham's music heritage · The Visit of Oz · The future of the jazz and blues