Jazz Shapers

Elliot speaks to Maryam Meddin - the Founder and CEO of The Soke, a mental health and wellness clinic with a modern, service-led approach. Maryam joins Elliot to share her incredible story, and how it's driven her to reshape the mental health sector.  

Lord John Bird MBE - An ‘encore edition’ of Jazz Shapers: another chance to sit down with the co-founder of The Big Issue, Lord Bird talks about his enduring ethos of giving people 'a hand up rather than a hand out', and the impact he's now fighting for as a crossbench member of the House of Lords.

Priya Lakhani OBE is the Founder and CEO of Century, the award-winning company developing AI-powered learning tools. Find out all about Priya’s struggle in the education system, advice from her heroes, her passion for learning and lots more.

Sahar Hashemi OBE is the Co-Founder of Coffee Republic, the UK’s first US-style coffee-bar chain, the Founder of Skinny Candy, the low-fat confectionery brand, And the Founder of the Buy Women Built movement, aiming to encourage shoppers to purchase women-built brands, and boost female entrepreneurship. Sahar joins Elliot for a chat on the people and ideas that have shaped her, and on the founder's connection to the soul of a company.

Sahar Hashemi OBE is the Co-Founder of Coffee Republic, the UK’s first US-style coffee-bar chain, the Founder of Skinny Candy, the low-fat confectionery brand, And the Founder of the Buy Women Built movement, aiming to encourage shoppers to purchase women-built brands, and boost female entrepreneurship. Sahar joins Elliot for a chat on the people and ideas that have shaped her, and on the founder's connection to the soul of a company.

Hamish Grierson is the co-founder and CEO of Thriva Health, a home blood-test and health-check service. Hamish joins Elliot to talk about putting people in control of their own health, and why he feels you don't have to go against the system to disrupt it.

Polly McMaster is the CEO and Founder of The Fold, a British womenswear brand creating empowering clothing for professional woman. Polly joins Elliot to talk about juggling her obsession for fashion with a PHD in virology, and the impact she's hoping her business will have.

Dr Nick Hawker is the co-founder and CEO of First Light Fusion, a lower risk, energy efficient approach to the power-generating process, inertial fusion. Nick joins Elliot to talk about how a shrimp could have unveiled the secret of supplying the world with green energy.

Jacqueline O’ Donovan is the Managing Director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, the family-run waste management and demolition services company. Jacqueline joins Elliot to talk about becoming a Managing Director when she was just 19 years old, and how her Irish heritage continues to shape her.

Matt Pohlson is the co-founder and CEO of Omaze, an online fundraising platform, supporting causes by offering life-changing prizes. Matt joins Elliot to talk about disrupting the charity model, and the love and optimism (and life-changes) that came from his incredible near-death experience.