Northern Power Women Podcast

The brilliant Saeeda Ahmed joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing faith, resilience, and a bold vision for building sustainable cities that put people first. As Founder and President of Sustainable Cities Global and a trailblazer named on the global stage, Saeeda is transforming how communities are designed, governed, and grown.From the inner cities of Bradford to international contracts across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, Saeeda’s story is one of breaking barriers and rewriting the rules. She shares how missing parts of her early education didn’t stop her from thriving at Cambridge, why her father’s wisdom still guides her today, and how her innovative model rejects “copy-and-paste” development in favour of solutions rooted in healthcare, education, and enterprise.With honesty and conviction, Saeeda opens up about facing condescension and ridicule in male-dominated spaces, how she reframes failure as the “nuances of life,” and why she believes every single person is a living miracle. Her wor

The brilliant Nazir Afzal OBE joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing honesty, courage, and a lifetime of fighting for justice and inclusion. Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Chair of the Lowry, and tireless advocate for equity, Nazir refuses to let diversity become a tick-box exercise – instead, he challenges leaders to make allyship active, authentic, and accountable.From calling out institutional misogyny to championing gender equality, Nazir shares why the retreat from diversity initiatives is not only harmful but deeply damaging to employees who are told, in effect, "we don’t believe in you anymore." He reminds us that while men are often part of the problem, they are also essential to the solution – and must step up, not out, when the work feels difficult.In a conversation rich with challenge and hope, Nazir and Simone explore what real leadership looks like when values are tested, why measuring social impact matters, and how storytelling and community are vital tools for lasting

The brilliant Catherine Millan joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast - bringing resilience, empathy, and a mission to change workplaces for the better. Founder of Be What You See Consultancy and winner of the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women Awards Person with Purpose Organisation Award, Catherine is dedicated to creating psychologically safe environments through innovative active bystander training.From becoming a young carer at just 14 when her mum faced mental health struggles after cancer treatment, to finding structure and leadership in the Army Cadets, Catherine’s early life shaped her determination to become the role model she never had growing up. A late ADHD and dyslexia diagnosis during lockdown gave her new self-understanding, helping her sharpen her focus and grow her award-winning business.Catherine shares how the Manchester Arena attack sparked her to develop training at a time when hate crimes had surged 500%, why compassionate leadership is her greatest strength, and how she’s turning corporate investment i

The brilliant Alison Lowe OBE joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast - bringing energy, honesty, and a lifetime of serving others with courage and compassion. Based in Leeds and named on the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women Awards PoWEr List, Alison has spent her career challenging injustice, leading with heart, and showing that authenticity is a strength, not something to dial down.From growing up in a political household to becoming Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire, Alison has always refused to be a bystander. She shares how her mum’s confidence inspired her to embrace her true self, why living your values matters more than titles, and what receiving her OBE meant as both a daughter and a proud Black woman.Alison also opens up about the pain of childhood abuse, her journey through healing, and how honesty and openness helped her turn wounds into light – for herself and for others. Whether through her leadership at mental health charity Touchstone, her advocacy for inclusivity, or her belief in kindnes

The brilliant Liz Kingston and Alexandra Ahmet join the We Are PoWEr Podcast - bringing a conversation about making recruitment more inclusive, removing the fear from interviews, and building confidence for anyone chasing their next opportunity.As part of BT’s talent team, Liz and Alexandra aren’t just hiring people - they’re rethinking how the process works. From making interviews transparent and prep-friendly to encouraging candidates to always ask questions, they share how curiosity and authenticity can set you apart. They open up about the moments they’re most proud of, the lessons that reshaped their own careers, and why inclusivity is everyone’s responsibility - not just leadership’s.Balancing ambition with real life, they reveal how they juggle work, family, and even the fast-changing world of AI recruitment, all while staying true to themselves. Their message is simple: don’t dim your ambition, and remember there’s more than one way to get where you want to go.In this episode:Why asking questions is t

The brilliant Adrian Jones joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing reflections on leadership, representation, and creating trusted spaces for people to thrive.As Senior Director, Anglia & South Midlands Superstores at ASDA and a 2025 Northern PoWEr Women Advocate, Adrian looks after 31 stores and thousands of colleagues – but his focus goes far beyond retail. From mentoring female leaders to co-chairing the Women in ASDA network, he is committed to driving diversity, amplifying unheard voices, and building teams that perform by being truly inclusive.Adrian shares why filling in his own award nomination was such a powerful moment, why listening before acting is the most underrated leadership skill, and how acknowledging the “quiet people in the room” can change outcomes for the better. He also opens up about family, sport, and the importance of helping his children – and the next generation – find confidence to stand up for what they believe in.In this episode:Why the Northern PoWEr Women Awards matter t

The brilliant Hannah McLean joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing a story of bold career moves, northern pride, and learning to back yourself even when self-doubt kicks in.From a history degree to becoming Information Security Officer at Manchester United Football Club, Hannah proves that breaking into male-dominated industries isn’t always about being the most technical person in the room – it’s about problem-solving, communicating, and negotiating with confidence. She shares how she lifted herself up to apply for her dream role, why she believes education is key to breaking barriers, and how celebrating your wins through the Northern PoWEr Women Awards is about so much more than the ceremony itself.A proud Mancunian and new mum, Hannah opens up about the reality of motherhood versus expectations, her hopes for her daughter’s future, and the moments that make her most grateful to be from the North. From Barry’s Bootcamp to brunch in the Northern Quarter, she champions her city while working to make the o

The brilliant Gillian joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast - entrepreneur, risk-taker, and now PoWEr Lister 2025. From flatlining during childbirth to launching tech for social change, Gillian’s story is one of raw resilience, reinvention, and refusing to stay quiet.In this emotional and unfiltered episode, Gillian reflects on going from “wild” child, surviving wrongful arrest in front of her kids, and becoming the youngest-ever responsible individual in the care sector. She opens up about being driven by adrenaline, haunted by self-doubt, and guided by deep connection - with others, with herself, and with something much bigger.From crashing her dad’s Ford at 14 to building a charity-backed app launching in Dubai, Gillian is redefining what business and impact can look like - especially when poWEred by purpose and personal healing.In this episode:Why being “wild” was really early entrepreneurship in disguiseFacing arrest in front of her children and walking free with no chargesThe spiritual moment during childbirth

The brilliant Siwan Smith joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast - this time as a 2024 Northern PoWEr Women Future List star, 2025 Awards judge, and an unstoppable voice for inclusion, courage, and creativity.In this episode, Siwan opens up about surviving sexual assault and two brain tumours, and how therapy, family support, and fierce inner strength helped her rebuild not just her health, but her identity. Now Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Princes, she’s on a mission to make workplaces better - for colleagues, customers, and communities alike.Siwan shares the emotional impact of physical changes, how she developed an eating disorder during recovery, and why her greatest healing came from small steps, honesty, and showing up for herself. She also reveals the unlikely joy she finds in Just Dance battles (which she always wins), and why her super PoWEr is thinking outside the box, especially when life refuses to play fair.From pain to purpose, this is a story of perseverance, perspective, and the quiet power of n

The brilliant Ella Grace Gregoire and Elaine Gregoire join the We Are PoWEr Podcast - a mother-daughter duo with a shared mission to uplift, include, and never leave anyone behind.Elaine, founder of Streetwise and a foster carer, shares how she turned a church youth club into a thriving support hub for young people - all while navigating burnout and dancing through recovery (literally, with a Strictly Come Dancing charity challenge). Ella, a performance and wellbeing consultant, reflects on starting her own business at 17, advocating for Northern voices, and why in-person connection matters now more than ever.From CITV to King Charles, ice baths to authenticity, this episode is packed with passion, perspective, and two fierce women who always think they’re right and might just be.In this episode:How Streetwise grew from church youth clubs to a thriving centreFoster care, family sessions, and community-driven workBurnout, boundaries, and dancing through recoveryPerforming on Coronation Street and CITVStarting

The brilliant James Carss joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – this time sharing a story of trauma, transformation, and finding poWEr through purpose, discipline, and inclusion.In this episode, James opens up about training daily as a teenager to moving to Hong Kong with just a suitcase, James’s journey is packed with resilience, humour, and heart. He shares the life-changing mentorship he found with a Chinese martial arts master, his unexpected stint in the movie industry, and how those experiences now guide his work as Chief Exec of Castle Peak Group.From the dojo to the boardroom, James brings a poWErful message of mindfulness, integrity, and the impact of creating space for others to thrive.In this episode:Turning childhood trauma into a lifelong missionWhy martial arts became his anchorLife in Hong Kong and mentorship that transcended languageFrom martial arts films to Geordie “Russian” linesFounding Castle Peak Group and leading with fairnessBuilding inclusive workplaces that value differenceThe importance

The brilliant Steph Edusei returns to the We Are PoWEr Podcast - this time as a PoWEr Lister, published author, and still dancing her way through leadership, life, and impact.In this episode, Steph shares the leadership lessons that shaped her writing, the moments that tested her optimism, and the poWEr of creating collaborative spaces where people flourish - not just follow. She opens up about why not every table feeds you, the importance of saying no, and how her book was written with 10-minute loo breaks in mind (yes, really).From practical wisdom to purposeful reflection, Steph reminds us that poWErful leadership isn’t about status - it’s about showing up, listening deeply, and knowing you are enough.In this episode:Life as a CEO, dance teacher, and authorWhy her book is written in loo-length chaptersBuilding inclusive leadership by listening to every voiceThe mindset shift: not every opportunity is the right oneUsing optimism as a super PoWEr and knowing when to pauseCreating the Black All Year platformR

The brilliant Juliet Sanders, CEO and Founder of Feeding Families, joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast to explore how purpose, persistence, and community can become a truly PoWErful force for change.From growing up as an adopted only child to discovering a family of siblings later in life, Juliet shares the deeply personal story behind her drive to build a charity that now supports thousands. She opens up about surviving domestic violence, founding Feeding Families, and the emotional journey of preparing to step down as CEO this December. “I might not be the CEO,” she says, “but I’ll always be the Founder.”Juliet talks about what it felt like to win the 2025 Person with Purpose award at the Northern PoWEr Women Awards - glamorous, connected, and inspired. With honesty and humour, she reflects on discovering her birth family, her love of mime, and why her greatest super PoWEr is persistence.Discover how one woman’s determination created a movement and how even the scariest transitions can lead to something beautifu

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Kirsty Murphy MBE — trailblazing pilot, proud daughter, and people-first innovator. From growing up on an RAF squadron to becoming the first and only female Red Arrows pilot, Kirsty shares how she carved out her own path in a world where few women had gone before.She speaks openly about building a career that’s more like a climbing wall than a ladder — full of bold moves, challenges, and powerful pivots. From the RAF to Connected Places Catapult, Kirsty continues to break barriers, now leading innovation that puts people and purpose at the heart of technology.We also hear about receiving her MBE from King Charles, inspiring young girls at air shows, and why visibility matters more than ever.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Kirsty Murphy MBE02:40 – Becoming a Fighter Pilot05:32 – First Female Red Arrows Pilot08:57 – Representation and Responsibility11:12 – Life After the Air Force17:40 – Innovation and Tech for Good20:02 – Career Lessons and Royal R

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Gail Hall, Director of Operational Excellence, and Emma Griffin, Group Chief Security Officer at Royal London - two powerhouse leaders with stories that move from bars to boardrooms, and everything in between.We also explore Royal London’s commitment to empowering others, including their brilliant partnership with our Mentor of the Year category at the 2025 #NPWAwards.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:49 Meet This Week's Guests: The Royal London Massive01:49 Career Journeys: From Bars to Boardrooms02:59 Understanding Roles at Royal London08:33 Leadership and Diversity in the Workplace14:26 Personal Stories and Career Advice18:27 Empowering Women in Tech and Beyond21:54 Fun Facts and Final ThoughtsFind out more about We Are PoWEr here.

What does it mean to work at a company that encourages growth, mentorship, and innovation? This episode, we chat with Richard and Amy from Bank of America, our Co-Headline Partners for the NPWAwards, about exactly that.

The brilliant Lisa Allen and Jen Hardy from Shakespeare North join the We Are PoWEr Podcast to explore how theatre can be a poWErful force for healing, inclusion, and community.From growing up in youth theatre to building careers rooted in creativity and connection, Lisa and Jen share how early role models, big dreams, and bold networking led them to where they are today. They open up about the imposter syndrome they’ve faced, the magic of mentorship, and why a chatty café or a board game can be just as poWErful as a play.Discover how Shakespeare North is engaging with young people who’ve never set foot in a theatre and creating a safe, joyful space where confidence grows and voices are heard.Chapters:0:00 Welcome to We Are Power Podcast0:48 Introducing Shakespeare North Theatre5:36 Career Paths in Theatre Arts12:02 Theatre as Community Catalyst19:16 Audience Diversity and Access23:14 Inclusive Productions and Future Vision28:18 Training as a Clown and Closing ThoughtsFind out more about We Are PoWEr here.

Empowerment champion and four-time finalist, Ann Stonehouse, joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast to share the journey behind her well-earned recognition at the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards.From starting a podcast club in lockdown to launching a book club to hold herself accountable, Ann reveals how community, creativity, and connection fuel her drive. She opens up about what it meant to be nominated, how mentoring through Northern PoWEr Women helped her grow, and — yes — the time she met the Queen (who was taller than expected!).In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Welcome to the We Are PoWEr Podcast01:02 – Ann Stonehouse: NPWAwards finalist06:22 – Creating the Assist Network10:49 – The Sisterwood: Honouring women's achievements13:35 – Walk and Talk: Accountability in motion17:33 – Project Visibility: Stepping out of comfort24:40 – The value of being nominatedFind out more about We Are PoWEr here.

This week on the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we're joined by Nicola Gleave founder of Worn by Us, entrepreneur, and unstoppable force for good, as she shares the moment her life pivoted forever.Nicola’s story is more than inspiring - it’s a reminder that even in life’s hardest moments, there’s space to create, connect, and lead.Chapters:0:00 – Introducing Worn by Us1:44 – Breast Cancer Diagnosis 5:37 – Finding Purpose Through Adversity9:02 – Building a Business Through Networks14:16 – The Power of Networking20:14 – Wayne Rooney's Makeup Story23:45 – The Future of Worn by UsFind out more about We Are PoWEr here.

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we speak with Marianna Vaszilyiv, the driving force behind United for Ukraine an organisation that supports displaced Ukrainians with employment opportunities, courses, and essential services since the 2022 Russian invasion.Marianna shares how what started as a two-week support initiative quickly evolved into a long-term, high-impact operation. Drawing on her multicultural heritage Ukrainian, Hungarian, Polish, and Jewish, as well as her academic background Marianna has become a powerful advocate for Ukrainian culture and humanitarian support.Chapters:How United for Ukraine grew beyond a two-week pilot to a full-scale support organisationThe employment success rate of Ukrainians in the UK under sponsorship schemesInsights into the 2023 Game Changer Award and being named on the 2025 Future List at the #NPWAwardsWhy businesses and individuals must continue to support displaced professionalsThe lasting power of cultural exchange and unityTo find out more or offer you