Leadership in Colour from Shez Iqbal, Powered by Media For All [MEFA]

Shez Iqbal
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Leadership in Colour showcases outstanding leaders of colour sharing their personal journeys, offering valuable insights and advice, and highlights their current projects. Join us to hear from these inspiring leaders and expand your perspective on leadership.  

  1. Episode 24 - No Spin Intended with Ali Syed

    JAN 21

    Episode 24 - No Spin Intended with Ali Syed

    In this episode of Leadership in Colour, Shez Iqbal sits down with Ali Syed, Publisher Partnerships Lead at Roku (Canada, US & Europe), for an insightful conversation about mentorship, career zigzags, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people. Ali shares his journey from an intern navigating visa challenges in London to leading partnerships for a global streaming platform, highlighting the pivotal mentors who shaped his career. From unexpected career pivots to the life lessons learned through sports like football and tennis, Ali offers a fresh perspective on leadership, growth, and networking beyond your industry. If you’re navigating your career, seeking guidance on mentorship, or curious about the behind-the-scenes of Roku’s global partnerships, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring stories. What you’ll learn in this episode: How mentorship can shape your career trajectoryThe importance of building a diverse network across industriesLessons from sports on focus, strategy, and human psychologyNavigating career setbacks and turning challenges into opportunitiesTune in to hear Ali’s unique take on leadership, growth, and networking — no spin intended! Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    34 min
  2. Episode 23 - The Name I Grew Into with Darain Faraz

    12/04/2025

    Episode 23 - The Name I Grew Into with Darain Faraz

    In this powerful episode of Leadership in Colour, Shez Iqbal sits down with Darain – Co-founder of People Like Us, a movement reshaping conversations around diversity, ethnicity pay gaps, and representation across PR, communications, and the wider creative industry. From waiting tables at 16… to launching viral club nights… to becoming a PR leader across Australia and the UK… to shaping global brand marketing at LinkedIn… Darren’s journey is anything but ordinary. 🔥 He opens up about: Building People Like Us with his brother to challenge the ethnicity pay gapWhat it was like working at MySpace during its explosive peak and seeing Facebook quietly take overThe reality of walking into rooms where almost no one looked like himHow gratitude and ambition shaped his early careerThe moment he realized the industry desperately needed diversity — and decided to do something about itHis story is bold, reflective, hilarious in parts, and deeply inspiring throughout. If you care about leadership, equity, representation, career growth, identity, or breaking barriers, this episode will move you — and stay with you. 🎧 Tap play to hear the raw truth behind People Like Us, the power of representation, and the journey of a leader who refused to stay silent. Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    37 min
  3. Episode 22 - The Power of Diversity: Growth Mindset with Matthew Chapman - Part 2

    10/27/2025

    Episode 22 - The Power of Diversity: Growth Mindset with Matthew Chapman - Part 2

    What happens when leadership meets empathy? In this inspiring episode, Matthew Chapman, CEO of SBFM, shares how he rose from humble beginnings in Bradford to leading with purpose and people-first values. From mentoring lessons at The Guardian to humanising the cleaner, Matt’s story redefines what leadership truly means. He talks candidly about imposter syndrome, the importance of feedback, and how to stand out by doing the right thing — even when no one’s watching. A conversation packed with warmth, humour, and insight for anyone ready to lead with heart and courage. 🔥 Listen now and rediscover leadership in colour. Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    33 min
  4. Episode 22 - The Power of Diversity: Growth Mindset with Matthew Chapman - Part 1

    10/15/2025

    Episode 22 - The Power of Diversity: Growth Mindset with Matthew Chapman - Part 1

    In this episode of Leadership in Colour, we sit down with Matthew Chapman, Chief Executive of SBFM, whose career journey has taken him from The Guardian to Arsenal Football Club — and now to leading a company that’s redefining what it means to lead with purpose. Matthew shares how his upbringing in Bradford, his Jamaican and English heritage, and his early experiences in media shaped his approach to leadership, inclusion, and empowerment. Together, we explore how his company is humanising the facilities management industry — turning the often-overlooked role of “cleaner” into one of respect, dignity, and progression. From the lessons he learned in advertising and football hospitality to the values that drive him today, this conversation is full of authenticity, humour, and heart. 🔹 Topics covered: Finding identity and balance as a middle childLessons from The Guardian on ethics, culture, and purposeTransitioning from media to football and beyondHumanising the workplace: why every role deserves respectEmpowering people from the “global majority” to thrivePurpose before profit — and why it still drives successIf you’ve ever wondered how values can shape business, or how leadership can create genuine social impact, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and share your thoughts — because leadership comes in all colours. Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    37 min
  5. Episode 21 - Don’t Offer Me a Cup of Coffee with Ladi Fagbola

    09/19/2025

    Episode 21 - Don’t Offer Me a Cup of Coffee with Ladi Fagbola

    In this episode of Leadership in Colour, Shez Iqbal sits down with Ladi Fagbola, E-commerce Account Director at Monks, to explore themes of identity, authenticity, and career growth. From navigating life between Nigeria and the UK to building a successful career in marketing and advertising, Ladi shares his journey of not quite fitting in anywhere—yet finding strength in authenticity. He opens up about lessons learned from academia, transitioning into advertising, the power of mentorship, and why diversity in the workplace makes all the difference. You’ll hear Ladi’s take on embracing constant self-development, staying true to your values (even in high-pressure sales situations), and why sometimes… you really shouldn’t offer someone a cup of coffee. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with honesty, cultural insights, and practical advice for anyone starting out in their career. Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    34 min
  6. Episode 20 - Crap At Thinking On The Spot with Lisa GoodChild

    09/12/2025

    Episode 20 - Crap At Thinking On The Spot with Lisa GoodChild

    In this episode of Leadership in Colour, we sit down with Lisa Goodchild — digital entrepreneur, founder of DigiLearning, and lifelong disruptor with a story that’s as raw as it is inspiring. From a turbulent childhood in South East London to building a career at the forefront of digital media and social impact, Lisa shares how resilience, community, and a love for technology shaped her journey. She opens up about navigating adversity, the role of diversity in her upbringing, and why creating opportunities for young people through DigiLearning is her life’s mission. We also explore her experiences as a woman in tech, her multicultural family heritage, and the power of mentorship and community in breaking down barriers. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone seeking inspiration, this conversation is packed with lessons on bravery, belonging, and building pathways for the next generation. Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    34 min
  7. Episode 19 - The Power with Demi Abiola

    08/11/2025

    Episode 19 - The Power with Demi Abiola

    In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Shez Iqbal sits down with Demi Abiola, Business Investment Director at T&P Group, to talk about leadership, representation, and the real economics of diversity in the media industry. Demi shares his journey from early days at ITV and KPMG to becoming a senior leader in media, and opens up about the challenges and opportunities for people of colour in advertising. From the post-George Floyd surge in DEI initiatives to the current risk of “box-ticking” allyship, Demi unpacks why lasting change requires intentionality — and why the business case for diversity is as powerful as the moral one. We also explore the importance of mentorship, sponsorship over allyship, and the role of visibility in inspiring the next generation. This is an honest, insightful look at what it takes to turn performative gestures into tangible progress. If you care about leadership, equity, and the future of the media industry, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    41 min
  8. Episode 18 - Humanity Our Greatest Gift with Suresh Raj

    05/16/2025

    Episode 18 - Humanity Our Greatest Gift with Suresh Raj

    What if humanity — our shared capacity for empathy, connection, and courage — was the most powerful tool we have as leaders and changemakers? In this moving episode, we explore the remarkable life of a man who defied cultural expectations, turned down fame, and rose to corporate leadership — all while never losing sight of his human story. From growing up in a multicultural, interfaith family in Malaysia to nearly starring in Miss Saigon and becoming part of an MTV boy band, to leading growth for one of the world’s top creative agencies, this is a journey of breaking boundaries and choosing authenticity over convention. What you’ll hear: A powerful story of identity, race, religion, and reinventionThe emotional toll of cultural stereotyping and “the box”The truth behind fame — and the choice to walk away from itThe importance of leading with humanity in modern workplacesWhy storytelling, vulnerability, and connection matter now more than everThis isn’t just a career journey — it’s a human one. One that reminds us that regardless of where we come from or what roles we play, our shared humanity is the bridge that can lead to real, lasting change. 🔔 Follow the show, leave a review, and share this conversation if it moved you — because humanity grows when stories are heard. #Humanity #Leadership #Identity #Diversity #Storytelling #DEI #Authenticity #Buzzsprout #ImmigrantStories #CorporateCulture Your feedback is always welcome, as we strive to enhance the content's value for you. Enjoy Leadership in Colour - Voices you may not have heard from before.

    46 min
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Leadership in Colour showcases outstanding leaders of colour sharing their personal journeys, offering valuable insights and advice, and highlights their current projects. Join us to hear from these inspiring leaders and expand your perspective on leadership.  

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