Leaders in Progress – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the greatest leadership lessons in the world didn’t come from boardrooms… but from walking beside Nelson Mandela?

In this episode, host Jed Hassid is joined by Chris Lubbe, former bodyguard to Nelson Mandela. Chris shares powerful, personal stories from growing up in Apartheid, to his time protecting one of the most iconic leaders in history - and how those moments shaped his understanding of courage, humility, and human-centred leadership.

This is more than a conversation about leadership.
It’s a reminder of what leadership is meant to be.

Let’s progress...

Follow Chris Lubbe:

• Website: chrislubbe.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iamchrislubbe

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

Purpose, Pressure, and Public Trust: What does it really take to lead a charity?

In this episode, Chief Executive Officer at North-West Cancer Research, Alastair Richards, sits down with Graham to share his members’ story and to explore the unique leadership challenges of running a purpose-driven organisation. From balancing mission with mounting pressure to earning - and protecting - public trust, we unpack what makes charity leadership fundamentally different from the commercial world. A candid conversation about responsibility, scrutiny, and leading when the stakes are more than just profit.

Let’s progress...

Follow North West Cancer Research and Alastair Richards:

• Website: nwcr.org
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alastair-richards-4a518015/

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

In this episode, Jed Hassid sits down with Sam Gladman, co-founder of Substation Climbing Centre, to explore how passion, vision, and resilience can transform a spark of inspiration into a thriving business. From opening the first Substation in Macclesfield to expanding into Brixton, Sam shares the story of building a modern climbing hub that’s as much about community as it is about sport.

You will hear what it was like to step into leadership at a young age, the challenges and rewards of scaling a business across multiple sites, and the balancing act of running a fast-growing company while raising a young family. Sam also reflects on the power of peer networks like Progressive Leaders, and why seeking out community and collaboration is essential for today’s entrepreneurs.

Let’s progress...

Follow Sam Gladman and Substation:

• Website: www.substation.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sam-gladman

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

Welcome to Leaders in Progress - the podcast where we explore the ideas, strategies, and stories shaping the future of leadership.

Today, we’re tackling a topic at the heart of every successful organization: building high-performance teams.

Our guest is Jeff Grout - renowned speaker, business consultant, and author, who has worked with some of the world’s leading companies to unlock the true potential of teams. With experience spanning leadership, people management, and organizational culture, Jeff brings practical insights on what it really takes to transform a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing unit.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the core ingredients of high-performance - from trust and accountability to clarity of purpose and culture. We’ll also explore how leaders can nurture talent, inspire collaboration, and set the stage for sustained success.

Whether you’re leading a start-up, scaling a business, or managing teams in a global organization, this conversation will give you the tools to raise the bar and bring out the best in your people.

Let’s progress...

Follow Jeff Grout:

• Website: jeffgrout.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeff-grout

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

Welcome to Leaders in Progress, the podcast where we dive into what it really means to grow, lead, and inspire in today’s world. 

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the Progressive Leaders Retreat - a space designed for leaders who are ready to pause, reflect, and sharpen their impact.

 We’ll share what makes these retreats different, the breakthroughs we’ve seen, and why stepping away from the day-to-day can actually move you forward faster.

So whether you’re leading a team, an organisation, or simply yourself - you’ll want to hear this.

Let's progress... 

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

In this episode of Leaders in Progress, we’re exploring a challenge and an opportunity facing every organisation: how to lead across generations. For the first time in history, five different generations are working side by side - each bringing unique expectations, strengths, and perspectives to the workplace.

Our guest is Alex Atherton - speaker, author of The Snowflake Myth, and expert on generational diversity in the workplace. As a former Head Teacher who had spent over 25 years in the education sector, Alex has spent years helping leaders understand the dynamics between Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennial's, Gen Z, and the emerging Generation Alpha, showing how these differences can become a source of innovation and strength, rather than friction.

In this episode, we’ll unpack what it really means to lead with generational diversity - from breaking down stereotypes, to fostering collaboration, to building a culture that inspires people at every stage of their careers.

So, whether you’re leading a multi-generational team, preparing for the future of work, or simply curious about how these shifts will shape leadership, you’re in the right place.

Let’s progress....

Follow Alex Atherton:

• Website: alexatherton.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alex-atherton

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

Welcome to Leaders in Progress - the podcast where we explore the people, communities, and ideas shaping the next generation of leadership.

In this episode, we’re shining a spotlight on the Progressive Leaders group - a membership community of business owners, CEO's, Managing Directors, and Chairpersons who come together each month across the North West and Yorkshire.

Progressive Leaders is more than just a network. It’s a space for peer support, mentoring, shared learning, and real conversations about the challenges and opportunities leaders face today.

Joining Graham is Progressive Leaders Chair, Jed Hassid, who helps guide this group and sees firsthand the power of leaders learning from leaders. Together, they’ll share how Progressive Leaders began, what makes the community unique, and why carving out time for reflection and connection can transform both leadership and business.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a peer group of ambitious, forward-thinking leaders - or how communities like this can help you grow - you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Let’s progress...

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

In this high-impact episode, former RAF combat helicopter pilot and leadership coach Sarah Furness joins us to share battlefield-tested wisdom for navigating high-pressure environments - whether in the skies or the boardroom. 

Drawing from her military experience and her mission to help leaders “lead like a pilot,” Sarah unpacks the mindset, habits, and decision-making frameworks that keep teams calm, focused, and effective under fire.

From the cockpit to corporate leadership, discover how the principle of "flying the aircraft" can transform your ability to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

Topics Covered:

• What it really means to "fly the aircraft" under pressure.
• Military-grade strategies for calm and control.
• Why leadership development groups matter.
• Her one piece of advice to carry with you. 

Whether you're leading a business, or a team - this episode will teach you how to stay on course when it matters most.

Follow Sarah Furness:

• Website: sarahfurness.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahfurness

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

Welcome to Leaders in Progress - a new podcast where we explore the evolving landscape of leadership, growth, and the people driving meaningful change. 

In our first episode, we’re diving into an often overlooked but incredibly powerful force in leadership development: the role of leadership groups.

Joining us is Alan Dean, a seasoned leader and facilitator who’s worked extensively with groups designed to sharpen skills, deepen self-awareness, and create environments where leaders can thrive together. In this episode, we’ll explore why leadership groups matter, how they shape decision-making and resilience, and the unique opportunities they create for leaders at every stage of their journey.

So, whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply curious about what makes great leadership tick, stay with us - this conversation might just change how you think about the power of groups in leadership.

Follow Progressive Leaders:

• Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders

Welcome to the new Leaders in Progress Podcast.

Growing, learning, and leading - one conversation at a time.

This podcast dedicated to the evolving journey of leading a business, where progressive business owners and expert advisers share their experiences, insights, and practical tips to help others advance their own business and leadership skills - brought to you by Progressive Leaders.

Join us monthly for new episodes - subscribe now to have the newest episode automatically added to your feed.

Your hosts:

Graham Whiley

Jed Hassid

Follow Progressive Leaders:

Website: progressiveleaders.co.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/progressive-leaders