Thoughtful Leadership from AMBITIOUS – Details, episodes & analysis

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Thoughtful Leadership from AMBITIOUS

AMBITIOUS

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/46d. Total Eps: 13

Welcome to the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS. In this series we will look to explore some of the challenges that today’s leaders face when leading a business and what it takes to be a thoughtful leader. Hosted by AMBITIOUS Deputy MD, Laura Lear, an expert in corporate communications and leadership advisory. Laura will be talking to a host of individuals from a range of organisations and sectors including entrepreneurs, business experts, and academics, to dig a little deeper into the challenges, opportunities, and threats being faced by these inspirational leaders - from building purpose and your north star, to ESG and culture. Thoughtful leadership comes in many different shapes and sizes, and this series will look to uncover just that and why it is so crucial for today’s world.

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Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
27/07/2026
#90
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
21/06/2025
#67
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
20/06/2025
#44
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
21/05/2025
#95
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
20/05/2025
#49
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
19/05/2025
#59
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
01/05/2025
#71
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
30/04/2025
#44
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
20/02/2025
#84
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
10/01/2025
#68

Spotify

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https://www.instagram.com/ambitious_consultancy
10 shares

https://www.ambitiouspr.co.uk/the-thoughtful-leadership-podcast/
5 shares
https://www.ambitiouspr.co.uk/thoughtful-leadership/
3 shares
https://www.ambitiouspr.co.uk/
1 share

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Score global : 68%

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Thoughtful Leadership from AMBITIOUS

Season 1

Friday, October 25, 2024 • Duration 00:37

We will be talking to a host of individuals from a range of organisations and sectors including entrepreneurs, business experts, and academics, to dig a little deeper into the challenges, opportunities, and threats being faced by these inspirational leaders - from building purpose and your north star, to ESG and culture.

Thoughtful leadership comes in many different shapes and sizes, and this series will look to uncover just that and why it is so crucial for today’s world.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

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Activism to Analytics: Zara Nanu’s Mission to Bridge the Gender Pay Gap

Season 1 · Episode 1

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 • Duration 32:25

The World Economic Forum recently said that it would take over 100 years to close the gender pay gap, a quite staggering and deeply alarming statistic.

In this, the first episode of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura will be speaking with Zara Nanu.

Zara is a prominent advocate for workplace equity and a leader in the field of gender pay gap analytics. As ex-co-founder and CEO of Gapsquare, Zara has combined her expertise in human rights with a passion for using data-driven solutions to promote fair pay and diversity within organisations.

Over the years, Zara’s work has evolved from grassroots activism to global corporate consulting, making her a key voice in the fight for pay transparency and workplace fairness.

She is now Founder of WorkVue, a business set up for guiding and supporting people as we prepare for a jobless world of work

In this conversation, Zara and Laura will talk in depth about:

How her upbringing helped shape her passion for women’s rights and gender equality
How data analytics can help close the gender pay gap
What she learnt transitioning from human rights campaigner to entrepreneur and business leader
Where the UK sits in terms of gender parity with the rest of the world

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

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Diversity of Thought: Championing Business Equality & Purpose with Ian Workman

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 • Duration 41:05

In episode two of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura speaks with Ian Workman, a passionate advocate for purpose-driven leadership and social impact.

Ian is the Chief Customer Officer at Homes England and has a wealth of experience in leadership and change, having previously served as Head of SME at Barclays Bank. Alongside his professional role, Ian is pursuing a Master’s degree in Equality, Diversity, and Society, as part of his commitment to fostering inclusivity in business and beyond.

In this episode, Ian shares his personal and professional journey, from growing up in a community-oriented household to becoming a leader who champions purpose and social impact. He also reflects on his transition from profit-driven banking to his current role, where he helps address critical issues like housing insecurity in England.

Laura and Ian delve into topics including:

The importance of purpose-led leadership and its impact on business and society.
How social enterprises and businesses can make a difference while remaining profitable.
Key insights into the evolving world of banking, SMEs, and the role of technology.
The growing demand for purposeful work among younger generations and what it means for the future of leadership.

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

Culture as a Superpower: Building Unstoppable Brands with Steve Hewitt

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, January 7, 2025 • Duration 43:58

In episode three of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura speaks with Steve Hewitt, a business leader involved in one of the UK’s most recent global success stories.

As the former CEO of the retail super brand, Gymshark, he helped guide the business to unicorn status and international acclaim. He is now the Founder of Whanau, an organisation which helps businesses to find and maintain their purpose as they scale, as well as being the chair of Passenger Clothing.

Steve is a passionate advocate of company culture and creating environments in which people can thrive.

In this episode, Steve talks about his professional journey which led him to Gymshark, including roles as CEO at Sport Brands Group and EMEA commercial director at Reebok.   

He discusses moving from the fast-paced world of retail to establishing his business consultancy, and how helping brands to grow and become better versions of themselves is now what motivates him.

In this episode, Laura and Steve delve into topics including:

Creating a company culture where “Sunday night can and should feel like Christmas Eve”
The core components businesses need to focus on to find their ‘North Star’
The must have skills needed to succeed in leadership
Why vulnerability can be a superpower in business

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Championing Diversity: Law, Leadership & Entrepreneurship with Marti Burgess

Season 1 · Episode 4

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 38:45

In episode 4 of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura speaks with the fascinating Marti Burgess: a lawyer, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in leadership.

Marti is a partner at Knights Solicitors, chair of the South West Black Network, and a co-owner of the legendary Lakota Nightclub in Bristol. With a career spanning law, business, and community leadership, she is passionate about driving change and increasing representation in professional spaces.

In this episode, Marti shares her experiences growing up as a woman of colour in a predominantly white community, her journey into law, and the challenges of breaking barriers in traditionally exclusive industries.

Laura and Marti discuss:

The barriers to funding and opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs
The importance of visible representation in leadership roles
How businesses can create more inclusive cultures
The evolving legal industry and new pathways into the profession

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

Workplace Evolution: Helen Hodgkinson on The New Era of HR

Season 1 · Episode 6

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 • Duration 36:04

In the final episode of season one of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura speaks with Helen Hodgkinson, an influential leader in the HR and people development space.

As the Chief People & Places Officer at law firm TLT, Helen is passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces, driving cultural transformation, and championing people-first leadership. With extensive experience in HR strategy, she has played a key role in shaping environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

In today’s episode, Helen shares insights from her career journey, discussing the evolving role of HR in modern business, the importance of human-centric leadership, and the strategies she uses to create meaningful change within organisations.

Laura and Helen explore topics including:

The evolving role of HR in shaping company culture
Strategies for building inclusive and high-performing teams
How leaders can drive meaningful change within their organizations
The importance of authenticity and emotional intelligence in leadership

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

Shaping Resilient Cultures: Leadership Lessons from Naz Sarkar

Season 1 · Episode 5

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 • Duration 38:26

In episode five of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura speaks with Naz Sarkar, an experienced business leader with a proven track record in steering organisations through crises.

As the former CEO of a division at ComputerShare, a global share transfer company, and a senior leader at Lloyd’s Bank for over two decades, Naz has firsthand experience of leading businesses through turbulent times – including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Naz is a firm believer in purpose-driven leadership, making tough decisions with integrity, and fostering strong company cultures – even in the most challenging circumstances.

In this episode, Laura and Naz explore:

Leading a global business through crisis and uncertainty
Balancing operational success with employee well-being during the pandemic
The evolving nature of work, from remote setups to hybrid models
The role of leadership in shaping company culture across different markets and doing ‘the right thing’
Why diversity in leadership is essential for long-term business success

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

Leading through Uncertainty: Banking, Business and Growth with Carmen Peacock

Season 2 · Episode 5

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 • Duration 29:16

In this episode of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura Lear speaks with Carmen Peacock, Head of Corporate Banking for Lloyds Bank, Chair of the CBI South West and a senior leader helping to shape the region’s economic future.

Originally from Romania, Carmen moved to the UK to study banking before building a career across some of the UK’s largest financial institutions. From working at the Bank of England during the financial crisis to leading national teams through the pandemic, her journey has been shaped by a consistent focus on creating value for businesses, communities and people.

Now based in the South West, Carmen brings a rare regional, national and board-level perspective to leadership. Through her role at Lloyds, her work with the CBI, and as a non-executive director with South West Investment Group, she has a unique view of how SMEs, scale-ups and large corporates are navigating growth, disruption and uncertainty.

In this episode, Laura & Carmen explore:

Carmen’s leadership journey from international student to senior bank leader
What makes the South West one of the UK’s most dynamic and investable regions
Using your voice and creating value at the table in male‑dominated environments
How businesses are approaching AI adoption in practical, productivity‑led ways
Supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs through growth, funding and uncertainty
Balancing senior leadership, purpose and family life

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

From Policy to Practice: A Leadership Journey in Health Innovation with Ruth Cousens

Season 2 · Episode 4

Thursday, March 26, 2026 • Duration 34:27

In this episode of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura speaks with Ruth Cousens, Founder and CEO of Thiscovery - a Cambridge University spin‑out transforming how organisations gather insight to design meaningful health and care innovation.

With a career spanning the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, the NHS, major charities, and Nesta’s social innovation ecosystem, Ruth brings rare cross‑sector experience to one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: how to truly understand the needs of patients, staff, and communities at scale.

Her leadership journey is rooted in values, purpose, and a deep belief in amplifying voices that are often overlooked. Moving from academia into startup life, Ruth has navigated funding, growth, and rapid change while building a culture grounded in pragmatism, empathy, and impact.

In this episode, Laura and Ruth explore:

The journey from Cambridge research institute to commercial spin‑out
Why user insight is essential to meaningful innovation across the NHS
Transitioning from public sector roles to leading a fast‑moving startup
Building a values‑led culture that balances empathy with commercial focus
Overcoming “pilotitis” and the challenge of scaling solutions nationally
How AI and large language models are reshaping qualitative research
Ruth’s long‑term ambition for more inclusive, insight‑driven health innovation

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Produced by AMBITIOUS

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The Yes Effect: How Embracing Chances Transforms Careers with Emma Foster

Season 2 · Episode 3

Thursday, December 18, 2025 • Duration 28:13

In this episode, host Laura Lear is joined by Emma Foster, Managing Director at Kohler Mira - the global business behind sector.-leading brands such as Mira Showers.

With a 20-year career at Kohler Mira, Emma has progressed through the organisation, building deep expertise and earning her leadership role through consistent performance, commitment, and impact. Her journey reflects a mindset of saying yes to opportunity - taking on new challenges, broadening her experience, and continuously raising the bar for herself and her teams.

In this open and engaging conversation, Emma reflects on the choices and experiences that have shaped her leadership journey. She shares thoughtful insights on backing yourself, staying curious, and maintaining momentum as responsibilities grow. Her story highlights that strong leadership isn’t about waiting until you feel “ready”, it’s about committing fully, learning continuously, and leading with purpose.

Laura and Emma discuss:

How saying “yes” has helped accelerate Emma’s career
Mira's people-first culture and the benefits this brings
Building confidence while taking on bigger challenges
Why attitude, energy, and collaboration are key leadership strengths
The value of investing in people - both others and yourself

To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.

Thoughtful Leadership from AMBITIOUS – Details, episodes & analysis

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Thoughtful Leadership from AMBITIOUS – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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