I’ve always found it fascinating when someone crosses from the business world into politics, especially when they’ve spent decades leading one of the UK’s most recognisable companies.

In this episode, I sit down with Andy Street, former Mayor of the West Midlands and long time John Lewis boss, to talk about leadership, public service, and why he believes the UK needs a stronger centre-right movement through his new initiative, Prosper UK.

What You'll Discover

- Business Lessons in Politics: How Andy’s 30 year career at John Lewis shaped the leadership style he brought to running the West Midlands.

- Winning Across Party Lines: Why focusing on delivery, investment and regional pride helped him win two mayoral elections in a traditionally Labour region.

- The Prosper UK Idea: Andy’s vision for rebuilding a pragmatic centre-right focused on growth, business confidence and economic realism.

What I enjoyed most about this conversation is Andy’s consistent focus on practicality. Whether he’s talking about business or government, the message is the same: get the basics right, focus on delivery, and keep the economy front and centre.

If you’re interested in leadership, politics, or where Britain’s economic debate might be heading next, this one’s worth a listen.

The Pulse of Power is produced by Urban Podcasts.

I’ve followed Lord Shaun Bailey's career for years, so getting him on The Pulse of Power felt like a real coup - especially with his no-holds-barred take on the city's challenges and the bigger political picture.

In this episode, I sit down with Lord Shaun Bailey, former London mayoral candidate and assembly member, for a candid chat about the state of London today. We cover the crime spike, housing crisis, dead nightlife, and why he thinks Sadiq Khan's days are numbered. Then we zoom out to national politics: Keir Starmer's shaky start, Kemi Badenoch's potential, and a quick-fire round that doesn't pull punches.

It's a conversation packed with insight from someone who's been in the trenches.

What You'll Learn

- London's Real Crisis: Why crime, housing, and a dying nightlife have put the city in the doldrums – and what it would take to turn it around.

- Khan's Fourth Term: Shaun's bold prediction on why Sadiq won't win again, and the leadership London desperately needs.

- National Politics Verdict: Quick-fire takes on Keir Starmer (gone by year-end?), Kemi Badenoch (still leader?), and the chances of an early election.

Lord Shaun Bailey's energy and honesty make this one of my favourite conversations yet - if you're worried about where London is heading, frustrated with the current direction, or just want the unfiltered truth from someone who's lived and fought for the city, this is the conversation you've been waiting for.

The Pulse of Power is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Are the economic problems we’re facing today really new or are we repeating mistakes we’ve made before?

In this episode of The Pulse of Power, I’m joined by Sir John Redwood, former Conservative MP, Cabinet Minister, and Head of Margaret Thatcher’s Policy Unit. We take a wide-ranging look at the state of the British economy, drawing direct parallels between today and the turbulence of the 1970s: high inflation, rising unemployment, weak productivity, and a crisis of confidence in government.

Together, we reflect on what it meant to prepare for government from opposition, how economic credibility is built (and lost), and which lessons from the past still apply as the UK faces another period of strain and uncertainty.

What We Explore

- Economic Lessons from the Past: We reflect on the parallels between today’s challenges and the 1970s, asking what preparation, clarity and policy discipline made possible then and what’s missing now.

- Markets, the State and Unintended Consequences: We examine where privatisation, regulation and central banking have worked, where they’ve failed, and how decisions around money, energy and public services can create long-term costs.

- Choices, Not Inevitabilities: We challenge the idea that current outcomes are unavoidable, exploring how political and economic choices around tax, energy, debt and growth shape confidence, productivity and national direction.

As we close, one message comes through clearly: economic outcomes are the result of choices, not inevitabilities. From spending and borrowing to energy, regulation and taxation, the decisions governments make shape confidence, productivity and growth - often long before voters feel the consequences.

If there’s a lesson from history, it’s that credibility, preparation and clarity matter and that ignoring economic reality rarely ends well.

The Pulse of Power is produced by Urban Podcasts.