UKTN | The Podcast UKTN

Diane Gilpin, founder and CEO of Smart Green Shipping, discusses the astronomical climate impact of the shipping industry, why Scotland is the perfect place for a woman entrepreneur in climate tech, and why government funding is vital alongside private investment into the green technology space. 
 
Gilpin founded Smart Green Shipping in 2014. The startup develops hardware and software designed to reduce the climate impact of the shipping industry. Gilpin has been in the shipping industry for well over a decade and discusses how far behind it is in the fight for gender equality. Gilpin notes, however, that her experience of business and engineering in Scotland was surprisingly progressive and welcoming. Gilpin has worked in tech for more than three decades, beginning her career on the launch team for Cellnet mobile phones before spending time in F3 and Formula One.  

Reeva Misra, founder and CEO of Walking on Earth, discusses how stress is often at the root of chronic health problems, the real science backing up ancient wellbeing practices, how attitudes to mental health benefits at businesses are changing for the better and how AI could improve personal happiness. 
 
Misra founded Walking on Earth (WONE), which uses AI to assess the stress levels of users and provide personalised interventions, in 2020 after almost three years at BenevolentAI. Misra was inspired to develop tech-powered stress relief after examining medical research that found combatting stress is a powerful preventative measure when dealing with physical and mental health. Prior to founding WONE, Misra spent nearly three years at BenevolentAI, most recently as VP of strategy.

Jason Bradbury, best known for presenting The Gadget Show, explains how businesses are “finding their feet” when it comes to AI, why he’s bullish on the metaverse, and recalls some of the zaniest product testing he’s done.  
Bradbury was a presenter on Channel 5’s The Gadget Show from its launch in 2004 to 2016, where he tested tech and participated in grabbing stunts – including a jet-powered skateboard. In early 2024 The Gadget Show returned as a podcast presented by Bradbury and Suzi Perry. He is also a speaker at business conferences, where he discusses the transformative impact of technologies such as AI, and a published author. Elsewhere on the podcast, Bradbury discusses his film project about gamers using retro tech to fight back against AI in Skegness, and explains why he’s bullish on the metaverse.  

Dr Graeme Malcolm, CEO and founder of M Squared, discusses the current state of the quantum computing market, Glasgow’s growing tech sector, and tips for US expansion.  
Founded in 2006 by Malcolm and Dr Gareth Maker, M Squared develops laser technologies for a variety of use cases, such as quantum, biophotonics and chemical sensing. Its tech has been deployed across multiple sectors, including in space to calibrate payloads for satellites part of Europe’s Copernicus programme. The company is headquartered in Glasgow and has a presence in the US. Malcolm, who studied laser physics and optoelectronics at Strathclyde University followed by PhD research into compact solid-state lasers, has secured over 400 patents. He was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to science and innovation. He was also Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2017 Great British Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2018 Amazon Growing Business Awards.  

Michael Mainelli, Lord Mayor of the City of London, discusses why the UK capital is a global problem solver, explains why he believes politicians have launched AI regulations “without doing their homework”, and why space junk is a growing problem.  
The Lord Mayor of the City of London is the head of the City of London Corporation, the governing body of the Square Mile. The Lord Mayor is elected annually and is an international ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector. Mainelli, who is the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London, was previously elected Sheriff of the City of London in 2019. The American-born British scientist, economist and accountant is also chairman of the consultancy firm Z/Yen. In this episode, Mainelli shares his view on reforms aimed at encouraging pension fund cash into listed companies and how the City is really doing since Brexit.

Gerard Grech, managing director of Founders at the University of Cambridge, reflects on the legacy of Tech Nation, explains how universities can support impact startups, and assesses the attractiveness of UK markets.  
Grech was the founding CEO of Tech Nation, leading the startup support organisation for over a decade until it was acquired by Founders Forum Group last year. The deal came after Tech Nation lost a bid for government funding to Barclays Eagle Labs, forcing it to cease operations. In this episode, Grech looks back on what he sees as a “puzzling decision” and reflects on the impact Tech Nation had on the UK’s startup ecosystem.  
In October 2023, Grech was appointed MD of Founders at the University of Cambridge, an initiative to connect academics, entrepreneurs, alumni and peer role models to help spinouts scale. Grech discusses the role that universities have to play in supporting “high-risk” ventures born out of academia. In addition to his role at the University of Cambridge, Grech is a member of the UK government’s Digital Economy Council and the World Economic Forum’s Digital Board.