In this episode of Causonomics, host Jo Causon and Clem Garvey, COO of the Paragon Group, discuss how a global business services provider combines brand services and outsourced customer communications to drive secure, scalable, and personalised customer experiences.

They explore Paragon’s role across financial services, FMCG and public sector clients, and how data, security and long-term customer relationships underpin service excellence.

The conversation also covers the fast-evolving role of AI, the balance between human empathy and technology, and lessons from different cultures on putting the customer at the heart of business. Clem highlights the need to productise service offerings, anticipate customer needs, and maintain ethics and trust as core competitive advantages.

Music copyright: Kevin MacLeod

In this episode, Jo Causon interviews Greg Reed, Group CEO of Places for People, about putting customers and communities at the heart of an organisation.

They discuss purpose-driven leadership, long-term thinking, empowering staff to do the right thing, and how data and AI can predict issues and improve social housing outcomes.

In this episode of Causonomics, Jo interviews Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK, about his 37-year automotive career and the transformation of Kia from a 1% market share to the UK’s fourth biggest car brand. They discuss Kia’s dealer-focused strategy, the industry-leading seven-year warranty, and the importance of locality and trust in retail.

The conversation also covers how Kia is navigating geopolitical shocks and supply-chain challenges, the transition to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, the role of AI and robotics in manufacturing, competition from Chinese brands, and leadership lessons centred on respect for customers, colleagues and partners.