Scale-Up Sessions

Cynergy Bank
  • 4.9 (23)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • TWICE MONTHLY

Welcome to Scale-Up Sessions, your roadmap to scaling your business. Joined by expert guests, Martin Kennington brings you the smartest, most up-to-date ways of making smart financial decisions to confidently take your business to the next level. Whether you’re chasing your next round of funding, a business loan, or simply building a smarter growth plan, this is your guide to scaling with confidence.

Episodes

  1. How SEO is changing, and what growing businesses must do to stay visible | Rick Talbot

    15 APR

    How SEO is changing, and what growing businesses must do to stay visible | Rick Talbot

    Search is changing, and the way customers find your business is evolving fast. So the question is: are you still showing up? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how shifting search behaviour is reshaping visibility for growing businesses, and what scale-ups need to do to stay discoverable in an increasingly fragmented landscape. Joining us is Rick Talbot, Director of Digital at Totally Digital. Rick works across marketing, product and engineering teams to help organisations navigate complex changes in SEO, content and digital discovery, to help B2B and B2C businesses grow through search. We break down how customer expectations have evolved, from AI-generated answers and zero-click searches to people using social channels as search engines. We discuss where businesses are most at risk of quietly losing visibility, why relying too heavily on paid channels can be risky and how scale-ups can rethink their approach to search to support sustainable growth. This conversation is packed with practical advice on building a search strategy that adapts. ● Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/ ● Follow Rick Talbot on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-talbot-47525b53/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    30 min
  2. AI in Finance: How to build and scale an AI company in a complex, regulated industry | Chandini Jain

    1 APR

    AI in Finance: How to build and scale an AI company in a complex, regulated industry | Chandini Jain

    In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore another fascinating Scale-Up Story, delving deep into the realities of scaling an AI-driven business. Joining us is Chandini Jain, co-founder and CEO of Auquan, a fintech company that creates autonomous AI agents designed to automate complex, knowledge-intensive workflows in financial services. Chandini shares how she identified a widespread industry problem, validated what customers truly needed and navigated the challenges of selling into highly regulated environments. She also tells us more about the evolution of Auquan’s product, from early search-based tools to fully orchestrated AI agents, and what it really takes to stay competitive in today’s fast-moving AI market. ● Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/ ● Follow Chandini Jain on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandinijain/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast, visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    29 min
  3. From startup to public company: The reality of scaling a healthtech business | Devika Wood

    18 MAR

    From startup to public company: The reality of scaling a healthtech business | Devika Wood

    In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we dive into our first ever Scale-Up Story, exploring the real journey of building, growing and leading a business through the highs, lows and pivotal turning points that only experience can teach. Joining us is Devika Wood, CEO of Brain+, a tech-enabled home care platform that raised millions in funding and scaled rapidly in the UK’s growing elderly care sector. She shares the early signals that can tell you whether your business is actually working, the unexpected challenges of transitioning from founder to CEO of a listed company, and the leadership lessons learned through some of the toughest moments in her career. If you’d like to find out more about Cynergy Bank’s Business Births & Deaths Index discussed in this episode, you can find the full research here: https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/the-index Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Devika Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devikawood/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast, visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    31 min
  4. How to maintain customer loyalty and satisfaction while scaling your business | Louise Coles

    4 MAR

    How to maintain customer loyalty and satisfaction while scaling your business | Louise Coles

    In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how growing businesses can protect and strengthen their customer experience as they scale. From spotting early warning signs, to fixing the right problems first, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to ensure growth doesn’t come at the expense of satisfaction or trust. Joining us is Louise Coles, Director of Operations & Service Transformation at Cynergy Bank. Louise specialises in designing and evolving operating models so they continue to deliver great service. Her work focuses on aligning people, processes, and technology to create consistently strong customer experiences. Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Louise Coles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-coles-ba94939/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    23 min
  5. How scale-ups can use PR to build credibility and turn visibility into commercial results | Matt Mckenna

    18 FEB

    How scale-ups can use PR to build credibility and turn visibility into commercial results | Matt Mckenna

    PR is changing, and getting attention is harder than ever. With newsrooms shrinking and competition growing, how do you cut through the noise and get the right people to care about what you’re building? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how growing businesses can use PR as a powerful growth lever — building trust, credibility and visibility in increasingly crowded markets. From understanding what journalists actually want, to choosing the right media placements and turning coverage into real commercial impact, this conversation is packed with practical advice for scaling brands. Joining us is Matt McKenna, Head of Communications and Content at Finder, where he leads the UK PR strategy and helps translate complex topics into compelling stories that resonate with millions of consumers. Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Matt McKenna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmckenna2/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    20 min
  6. Resilient leadership: How to build trust and perform under pressure | Tom Emery

    4 FEB

    Resilient leadership: How to build trust and perform under pressure | Tom Emery

    Is discomfort a sign that you’re failing or growing? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how founders can build resilience, empower their teams, and create a culture of transparency and psychological safety that drives high performance. From reframing discomfort to giving honest feedback without breaking trust, this conversation is packed with practical strategies for scaling under pressure. Joining us is Tom Emery, leadership coach and performance specialist who works with founders and executive teams to build resilience and high-performing cultures. Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Tom Emery on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-emery-b8809818/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    23 min
  7. High-impact marketing on a budget: ROI strategies for growing brands | Haly Berni

    21 JAN

    High-impact marketing on a budget: ROI strategies for growing brands | Haly Berni

    Can you grow your brand without blowing your budget? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we dive into how scaling businesses can make every marketing pound count. From prioritising the right channels to proving ROI and adapting when budgets shrink - this conversation is packed with actionable advice that your business can put into practice right away . Joining us is Haly Berni (formerly Haly Brill), Head of Marketing at Here East, who helps businesses maximise impact through smart, data-driven marketing strategies. Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Haly Berni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haly-berni-bbbab7123/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    20 min
  8. How to implement purpose as your business’s decision filter to drive growth | Becky Willan

    7 JAN

    How to implement purpose as your business’s decision filter to drive growth | Becky Willan

    Is your company’s purpose just words on a wall, or is it actively driving business growth, performance, and real-world impact? In this episode of Scale Up Sessions, we're joined by Becky Willan, co-founder and CEO of Given, the agency for purpose-driven businesses. Becky works with ambitious brands to define and activate purpose across their organisation, moving it beyond statements and into everyday decisions that create value for both business and society. we explore how leaders can embed purpose into business strategy so it genuinely shapes decision-making, engages teams, and fuels sustainable growth as organisations scale. You’ll learn why so many growing companies fall into the “purpose gap”, the disconnect between what businesses say their purpose is and what employees actually experience day to day and what leaders can do to close it. We discuss how purpose-led companies outperform, why purpose must be inspiring, credible, and actionable, and how to hard-wire it into governance, culture, investment, and people decisions. This conversation is packed with practical guidance for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams, including: How to use purpose as a decision filter, not a marketing statementWhy purpose often breaks down as businesses scale and how to prevent itHow to get genuine buy-in from teams and boards, not just surface-level alignmentThe role of leadership in turning purpose into daily actionHow embedded purpose drives employee engagement, retention, innovation, and long-term performance If you’re leading a scale-up or growing organisation and want to understand how purpose can become a competitive advantage, this episode offers clear, actionable insight you can start using immediately. Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Becky Willan on LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/becky-willan-5887a88The Purpose Gap | Anthesis Global Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    26 min
  9. Best AI adoption strategies from 2025: Efficiency, risk management while protecting trust & compliance | Rana Bhattacharya

    10/12/2025

    Best AI adoption strategies from 2025: Efficiency, risk management while protecting trust & compliance | Rana Bhattacharya

    Is AI the ultimate growth hack, or a shortcut to costly mistakes? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how businesses can harness AI to boost efficiency without risking compliance or customer trust. From identifying the right processes to automate, to setting guardrails and keeping humans in the loop - this is your roadmap to safe, smart AI adoption. Joining us is Rana Bhattacharya, Chief Digital Information Officer at Cynergy Bank, who leads the Bank’s digital strategy and AI innovation. Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Rana Bhattacharya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rana-bhattacharya-585b85/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    20 min
  10. The simple shifts that help to create sustainable performance without team burnout | Leanne Spencer

    26/11/2025

    The simple shifts that help to create sustainable performance without team burnout | Leanne Spencer

    Is burnout the hidden cost of rapid growth? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how fast-growing businesses can maintain momentum without exhausting their teams or damaging their bottom line. You’ll learn why constant high performance is a myth, how to anticipate pressure points, and the simple shifts that help to create sustainable growth. Joining us is Leanne Spencer, workplace well-being and resilience expert, bestselling author and keynote speaker. Follow Martin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Leanne Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannespencerkeynote/Leanne’s 12 Stages of Burnout Framework - https://leannespencer.co.uk/the-12-stages-of-burnout/Cadence Model for Sustainable Performance - https://leannespencer.co.uk/category/cadence-approach/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    24 min
  11. Scaling without chaos: Building the leadership team you need | Dominic Monkhouse

    12/11/2025

    Scaling without chaos: Building the leadership team you need | Dominic Monkhouse

    Is your leadership team ready for the next stage of growth, or are they holding you back? In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we unpack how to hire, evolve and align your senior team so they can take your business where you want it to go. From creating clear job scorecards to avoiding the trap of abdication, we discuss the practical steps to building a stronger, more aligned leadership team. Joining us is Dominic Monkhouse, CEO mentor & Founders coach at Monkhouse & Company, who helps leaders build high-performing teams and scale without chaos. Follow Martin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/Follow Dominic Monkhouse on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicmonkhouse/Six Conditions Leadership Team Diagnostic - https://6teamconditions.com/services/diagnosticsOne-Page Strategic Plan Framework - https://www.monkhouseandcompany.com/resources/tools/what-is-a-one-page-strategic-plan-opsp-and-why-your-business-needs-one/ Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/ This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk

    23 min

  12. 12/11/2025

    Trailer

    Welcome to Scale Up Sessions, your roadmap to scale your business. I’m Martin Kennington, and every week, I’ll be joined by experts from across finance, entrepreneurship, and investment to help you craft pitches that win, make smarter financial decisions, and scale your business with confidence. We’ll share the key to all areas of modern business strategies, decode what investors are really looking for, and bring you stories from leaders who’ve been exactly where you are now - and made it happen. Because scaling up isn’t just about ambition- it’s about knowing how to execute it.

    1 min
  • 12 Episodes

4.9
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Welcome to Scale-Up Sessions, your roadmap to scaling your business. Joined by expert guests, Martin Kennington brings you the smartest, most up-to-date ways of making smart financial decisions to confidently take your business to the next level. Whether you’re chasing your next round of funding, a business loan, or simply building a smarter growth plan, this is your guide to scaling with confidence.

Information

  • Creator
    Cynergy Bank
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Cynergy Bank
  • Show Website
    Scale-Up Sessions

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