Pull up a Chair with Bina Mehta

Episode 20: Lisa Brankin – Chair and Managing Director, Ford Britain

In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford Britain.
Listen to the episode to hear Lisa’s insights on the automotive industry and its evolution, including the role of electric vehicles in driving a sustainable future, plus lessons in leadership from an established career.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth!

Episode 19 - Paul Johnson, Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies

In the latest episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina speaks with Paul Johnson, the Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a position he has held since 2011. One of the UK’s most respected economists, Paul is the longest serving IFS Director, and for the past 11-years has also been a visiting professor in economics at UCL.
Paul has a wealth of experience to drawn upon including hands-on experience of government having worked as a senior civil servant in the Treasury, and as chief economist at the Department for Education. Paul was also a member of the UK Climate Change Committee and author of The Sunday Times best-selling book: ‘Follow the Money: How much does Britain cost?’
In their discussion, Paul shares insights on the worlds of government, business, and higher education, and how they can work better together to achieve sustainable growth.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth!

Episode 18 - Bill Thomas, Chairman and CEO, KPMG International

In the latest episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina speaks with Bill Thomas, the Chairman and CEO of KPMG International where he leads and supports more than 265,000 colleagues over 140 countries.
Bill has more than a decade of executive-level leadership experience and previously served as Chairman of KPMG’s Americas region from 2014 to 2017, and as CEO and Senior Partner of KPMG in Canada from 2009 to 2016. During each stage of his career, he has propelled the firm’s global strategy throughout local, regional and international geographies, always pairing pragmatism and creativity to deliver concrete results.
In their discussion, he reflects on his learnings about how organisations can achieve growth that meets profit and purpose.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth!

Episode 17 - Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller, Former Director General, MI5

In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller, Former Director General of MI5.
In their conversation, Bina and Eliza explore the changing face of leadership, and the lessons Eliza has learned during an established career in one of the world’s most famous institutions.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth!

Episode 16 - Vindi Banga, Chairman, Marie Curie

In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Vindi Banga, a leader and advisor to some of the world’s most well-known brands.
Vindi brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of business, education, and philanthropy, and has had a fascinating and diverse career spanning 33 years at Unilever, roles in private equity, and on the boards of Marie Curie, Haleon, GSK’s former consumer business; and is now Chair of UK Government Investments.
Together Bina and Vindi discuss the impact that businesses can have when they work together with government to progress development agendas. Particularly around how organisations can grow in a way that drives success in our communities and protects our planet.Join the conversation on sustainable growth!

Episode 15 - Dr José Viñals, Group Chairman, Standard Chartered

In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Dr José Viñals, Group Chairman of Standard Chartered.
José is an economist, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Spain and Financial Counsellor and Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the International Monetary Fund. He brings a unique perspective on the role of financial institutions in achieving long-term prosperity for people and planet.
Together they discuss how José’s experience as an expert in international regulation and global markets has shaped his perspective on how to achieve growth that benefits all people and preserves our planet. Particularly the global cooperation required to deliver the United Nations’ sustainable growth goals, reflecting on his role as Co-Chair of the United Nations’ Alliance of Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD).
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Episode 14 - Vishal Marria, CEO and Founder, Quantexa

In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’, Bina Mehta speaks with Vishal Marria, the CEO and Founder of Quantexa, one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech companies and the only tech unicorn of 2023.
Together they discuss Quantexa’s success and the future of technology and innovation. They also explore the role that data has to play, not just in solving complex challenges like financial crime and regulatory compliance, but also in creating a culture where people can thrive and collaborate. 
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Episode 13 - Dame Sharon White, Chairman, John Lewis Partnership

In this episode of the ‘Pull up a Chair’ podcast, Bina Mehta speaks with Dame Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership; owner and operator of two of Britain’s best loved retail businesses, John Lewis and Waitrose.
Sharon became the Partnership's sixth Chairman in February 2020, after having moved from Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, where she served as Chief Executive from 2015.
Together, they explore John Lewis’ partnership model and its sustained significance in the face of a changing labour market, transformation and change – why it’s important to keep purpose in the centre and plan for the long-term – and why ‘connectivity’ is a defining characteristic of good leadership.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth.

Episode 12 - Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand

In a special episode of the ‘Pull up a Chair’ podcast, ahead of the full second series launching this Autumn, Bina Mehta speaks with Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand 1999-2008. A trailblazer, Helen was also the first woman to lead the United Nations Development Programme.
Helen is the Chair of the Global Leadership Foundation and has been named as one of the most powerful women by Forbes. Sustainable development, gender equality, and international cooperation are the hallmarks of a life dedicated to public service
Join the conversation on sustainable growth.

Episode 11 - Season Highlights

Season one of the ‘Pull up a Chair’ podcast has wrapped up filming. In the final episode, Bina revisits some of the highlights from her conversations with business leaders from some of the world’s most influential organisations on sustainable growth.
Throughout the first series, guests have explored how to grow successful businesses in today’s challenging and unpredictable environment, and the most important lessons they’ve learned in their distinguished careers.