In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Joe Dent, Chief People Officer at Princes, as he shares his inspiring journey in corporate leadership, mental health advocacy, and fostering inclusion within organisations. With 14 years of experience at Princes, Joe has risen through the ranks from HR Controller to Group HR Director and now Chief People Officer, shaping the company's People Excellence strategy. Joe discusses his role in advocating for inclusion and the importance of creating mental health strategies in the workplace. He opens up about his own 20-year battle with an ..read more

Join us on the We Are PoWEr podcast as Amy Williams, Managing Director at Barclays and Iwona Schmidt, Managing Director at Bank of America talk about their roles as co-headline partners for the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women’s Awards. ? Amy and Iwona share...  ✨ Their excitement for the night ✨ The power of role models ✨ Why the partnership is important to them personally and professionally ✨ Their companies' commitment to diversity and inclusion The 2025 #NPWAwards is on 6th March, don’t miss this episode as we build up to the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe!  Chapters ..read more

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Natalie Reeves-Billing DL, a remarkable woman with an inspiring journey in education, innovation, and leadership. Natalie, a mum of three and co-founder of Builder Book UK, shares her passion for empowering young minds and creating equitable educational opportunities. As an award-winning author, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, and creator of The Animates Project, Natalie discusses her mission to bring educational resources to vulnerable families and inspire children towards fulfilling careers. In this episode, we explore the power ..read more

In this episode, Cat Wildman, the founder of Powered by Diversity, talks about her experience of being named Commended Winner of the Agent of Change at the #NPWAwards. Despite the recognition, Cat shares how it triggered imposter syndrome and made her question her own success. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Cat explains the mission behind Powered by Diversity and how its GEC app helps identify and track imbalances in the workplace. Cat also reflects on how her career took unexpected turns—from wanting to become a doctor to working at a national newspaper. She discovered that ..read more

In this inspiring episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we chat with Nicola Wood, founder of the Wonderful Wig Company. Nicola shares her incredible story of building a successful business while battling cancer, highlighting the personal and financial challenges she faced along the way. From overcoming obstacles in entrepreneurship to expanding her reach through franchising and advocacy, Nicola talks about her resilience and dedication to making a difference. She discusses the impact of receiving awards, the importance of community, and how her TEDx Talk has shaped her future plans. Sign up to ..read more

Join us as Paul Kallee-Grover MBE shares his extraordinary journey, revealing the unexpected honour of receiving an MBE during the tumultuous times of 2021. From his initial spark of interest in urban regeneration and geography to launching his own venture, Key Partnership, Paul opens up about his evolution from a connector of ideas in international real estate to a trailblazing entrepreneur. Discover how a chance encounter with a former CEO set him on a new path, emphasising the excitement of projects over people management, and how this has shaped his professional adventure. Explore the worl ..read more

In this episode of the We Are Power Podcast, we delve into the world of entrepreneurship with Ruth Hartnoll, co-founder of Matchstick. Join us as we explore personal stories of growth, overcoming challenges, and the significance of community. Ruth discusses the origins of her business, the valuable lessons learned, and the importance of fostering a strong company culture. We also touch on balancing personal and professional life, as well as the impact of side projects and board roles. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the We Are Power Podcast 01:33 The Journey of Matchstick 02:36 Challenges and Less ..read more

In this special episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE steps into the hot seat, being interviewed for the first time by Anna Davey. Known for her dedication to championing gender equality and leading the Northern PoWEr Women Awards movement, Simone shares insights into her path from receiving an MBE from the Queen to building a movement that now unites over 120,000 people. Simone opens up about how her upbringing in Liverpool and experiences as an honorary captain in the Royal Navy shaped her advocacy. Her story is all about seizing opportunities and pushing forward, a mindset ..read more

In this special episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE steps into the hot seat, being interviewed for the first time by Anna Davey. Known for her dedication to championing gender equality and leading the Northern PoWEr Women Awards movement, Simone shares insights into her path from receiving an MBE from the Queen to building a movement that now unites over 120,000 people. Simone opens up about how her upbringing in Liverpool and experiences as an honorary captain in the Royal Navy shaped her advocacy. Her story is all about seizing opportunities and pushing forward, a mindset ..read more

In this inspiring episode, Ammar Mirza CBE, entrepreneur and community advocate, shares his remarkable journey from his roots in shipbuilding in Newcastle and Liverpool to his dedication to supporting the armed forces community. Ammar talks about his drive to create positive change, living by the mantra of "fixing things and adding value." He also reflects on the importance of giving back and cherishing small moments, like taking a selfie, to spread positivity in a world often filled with negativity. Ammar offers insights on balancing charity work with personal life, as well as the power of re ..read more