Change Shapers Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Our first Change Shaper, Abid Khan, is a seasoned expert with over 23 years of experience. He is the Chair of the Institute of Directors, British Asian Business Community. In 2016, he started ‘Chutney and Chat’, a networking event focusing on increasing South Asian representation in businesses.

In this episode Abid provides insights from his experience as an entrepreneur, being overtaken by Google and launching the nationwide British Asian business community within the IOD.

Join the next Chutney & Chat:

Tuesday 17th September 2024 – The Farmhouse Coventry – Chutney & Chat (chutneyandchat.co.uk)

Connect with Abid:

• Pathway2Grow: www.linkedin.com/groups/8243224/ 
• Chutney and Chat: https://chutneyandchat.co.uk/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abidkhan75/ 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/891724367615699 
• Instagram: Abid Khan - #PeopleConnector (@abid_inspires)

Today's change shaper in focus is Sofia Azam, a visionary leader and educator with 13 years of experience. As the founder of IgniteQuals Ltd, an innovative Awarding Organisation, and the Skills4Startups Roadshow, Sofia is dedicated to empowering young people and startups. Her passion lies in creating quality educational pathways that align with industry needs and helping young learners from diverse backgrounds.   In today's episode, Sofia talks about supporting startups to reach their highest possible potential, how AI is changing business and how the government is ignoring the impact of startups.

• S4S Summer Roadshow Festival for Start-Up Businesses supported by Google: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/s4s-roadshow-festival-for-start-up-businesses-hosted-by-google-cloud-tickets-962842717487?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing&utm-campaign=social&utm-medium=discovery&utm-content=attendeeshare  

• Skills4Startups® Festival Roadshow UK: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skills-4-startups-festival-roadshow-uk/ 

• IgniteQuals Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignitequals/ 

• Sofia Azam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-a-193789102/overlay/about-this-profile/  

Change shaper, Bud Johnston, the founder of Boxless Limited, discusses his career and the inspirations behind his company, which focuses on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Bud has a varied background in professional sports, media, FMCG, finance, and the third sector. He has also led multiple community organizations, such as Barco and Men of Melanin. 

  In today’s episode, Bud talks about why it’s important for people to see the impact of change, and how organizations can move away from ESG and DEI being mere tick-box exercises. 

• Bud Johnston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bud-johnston-mcim-58a2a556/ 

• Men of Melanin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/men-of-melanin/  

• Boxless: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boxless-ltd/  

• Black Anti-Racism Community Organisation (BARCO): https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-anti-racism-community-organisation/  

Al has forged an impressive career across diverse sectors including roles at Suncorp-Metway, Accenture, IBM, and academic positions at Harvard Business School and Columbia University. He is now leading the conversation on leadership as Founder and CEO of Cambridge Leadership Group. With over 20 years' experience, they foster purpose-driven leadership and culture, emphasizing the importance of embracing change and uncertainty in today's world. 

In today’s episode, Al talks about his journey from being a small-town boy to running his leadership group, Al explores the myriad obstacles facing organisations and why and how we can foster cross-functional leaders.

• Al Preble: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-preble-1a6a589/ 

• Cambridge Leadership Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-leadership-group/