Social Innovators Podcast

Esme Verity is the founder of Considered Capital, where she runs an Alternative Funding School to support business founders who are balancing profit with purpose. Since 2021, Esme has now worked with 120 founders, over 75% of whom are underrepresented; and her popular newsletter is now read by over 2,500 people every week. In this episode, Esme talks about: Alternative funding (3.01) Taking a 'leap of faith' as a founder (12.05) What it takes to be an entrepreneur (14.43) Defining and measuring 'impact' (20.47) Overcoming perfectionism (27.58) Handling failure (32.15) Embracing fear as an entrepreneur (35.29) Being selective with advice (41.28) The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an Innovation Manager at Challenge Works (a Nesta enterprise). In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges. You can follow us on: Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Pod Linked In: @Social Innovators Podcast We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Wai Foong Ng is the founder of Matchable, a volunteering platform matching skilled employees with impactful and innovative volunteering projects. Since 2019, Matchable has delivered over £420 million of value to organizations across the world via over 600,000 volunteering hours.

In this episode, Foong talks about:

• Founding Matchable (3.47)
• Transitioning from the corporate world to a start-up (7.32)
• Experimentation in businesses (15.10)
• Embracing 'failure' (21.37)
• Navigating change (27.16)
• Understanding your values and purpose (31.15)
• Prioritizing balance (34.31)
• Encouraging flexible working (40.28)

The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an Innovation Manager at Challenge Works (a Nesta enterprise).

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Pod
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Podcast

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Genevieve Leveille is the founder and CEO of AgriLedger, a systems provider that seeks to revolutionize agricultural supply chains using block chain technology.

Sparked by her own passion for food, as well as the boundless opportunities presented by emerging tech, Genevieve embarked on this new chapter in 2016, after 20 years in a corporate finance career.

In this episode, Genevieve talks about:

• Using blockchain as a force for good (4.18)
• Human-centred design (9.58)
• Balancing profit and purpose (12.40)
• 'Good' business models (19.05)
• Financial inclusion for women and people of colour (25.25)
• Building personal resilience (28.53)
• Building networks and communities amongst women (31.37)
• The importance of ongoing learning (39.08)

The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an Innovation Manager at Challenge Works (a Nesta enterprise).

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Pod
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Podcast

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Nigel Kershaw OBE is the Chair of The Big Issue Group, a social enterprise providing business solutions for people impacted by poverty and homelessness in the UK.

Over the past 30 years, The Big Issue Group's magazine has become a household name, helping more than 100,000 people affected by poverty to earn well over £100 million. 

As you'll hear in this conversation, Nigel is as knowledgeable and grounded as gets. He talks about:

• the role of social enterprises in tackling social inequality; 
• the wide-reaching impact of the Big Issue Group across the world;  
• why he isn't a "typical finance person": and
• why there is no such thing as failure.

For any budding entrepreneurs or curious listeners, this is just the episode for you. Packed full of practical advice, a wealth of experience and plenty of laughs, you're guaranteed to come away from this episode with lots of inspiration and handy tips.


The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an innovation manager at Nesta Challenges.

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Comm
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Community

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Please note: At the time of recording, the podcast was called the Voices of Development podcast. The audio content will reflect this.

Edwina Chin is a Director in the international development team at PwC, where she works with governments, foundations and non-governmental organisations across the world, managing multi-million pound international programmes.

Edwina has been part of the senior management team for a wide range of programmes: including the Girls' Education Challenge, which is supporting over 1 million marginalised girls to get an education; and the Better Health Programme, which aims to improve public health in South East Asia.

In this conversation, we talk about the role of private sector consultancies within international development and some potential solutions to some of the systemic challenges within the sector. She also shares some more personal experiences, such as the challenges she has faced as a working parent during the COVID pandemic.   

Edwina is both realistic and positive and shares some very practical suggestions for change.


The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an innovation manager at Nesta Challenges.

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Comm
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Community

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Please note: At the time of recording, the podcast was called the Voices of Development podcast. The audio content will reflect this.

Bethany Larsen is the co-founder of Charm Impact, an impact investment platform that crowdsources funding for renewable energy startups in emerging markets, including Kenya, Nigeria and India. 

Over the past 2 years, Charm Impact has partnered with the UK government and various energy non-profits to successfully crowdsource over £400,000 to support over 300,000 people.

Bethany talks about the role of private finance and impact investing to help reach development goals and the challenges with diversity in the development sector. She is also generous enough to talk openly about how she has personally dealt with discrimination as a female leader.

Most of all, though Bethany's sheer determination to drive positive change shines through. When talking about how we can all make a positive difference in the world, she tells us: “start where you are, start small and be consistent”.


The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an innovation manager at Nesta Challenges.

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Comm
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Community

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Please note: At the time of recording, the podcast was called the Voices of Development podcast. The audio content will reflect this.

Ummul Choudhury is the co-founder and CEO of Capoeira 4 Refugees, a multi award-winning charity supporting children and vulnerable women living in conflict zones in the Middle East.

Ummul talks about the power of using music and dance to overcome trauma, the importance of tech-enabled solutions and some limitations of the aid sector.

Perhaps most profound of all, though, Ummul gives a rare insight into how she has personally experienced and navigated the aid sector as a female and ethnic-minority CEO, which she describes as "a lonely place".

Ummul does not shy away from the difficult topics but also leaves us with a sense of hope. When talking about leading her charity, she says, “despite the roadblocks, I feel like we make miracles happen every day".


The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an innovation manager at Nesta Challenges.

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Comm
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Community

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Please note: At the time of recording, the podcast was called the Voices of Development podcast. The audio content will reflect this.

Edmilson Angelo is the founder and Director at Change 1s Life, a UK-registered charity helping those facing poverty across Sub-Saharan Africa by supplying food, clean water, clothes, medical aid and education. The charity has distributed over 450,000kg of food and clothes to over 1.5 million people.

In this episode we talk about the importance of local community-driven solutions, involving children in decision-making and opportunities for positive change within the aid sector. Edmilson gives us a clear message of optimism and encourages us all to "be the change we want to see in the world".

Edmilson is humble, genuine and honest, and shares so many uplifting and empowering words of wisdom. For anyone looking for a mood-booster or for some tips about how to make a positive impact in the world, this is an episode for you.

The Social Innovators Podcast is hosted by Naomi Whitbourn, an innovation manager at Nesta Challenges.

In this podcast, Naomi speaks to entrepreneurs and leaders developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.

You can follow us on:

• Twitter: @Soc_Innov_Comm
• Linked In: @Social Innovators Community

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions for our guests. Do get in touch at: [email protected]

Please note: At the time of recording, the podcast was called the Voices of Development podcast. The audio content will reflect this.