UK Director Business

Sue Wilcock
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Born from real experience of running and leading a business, the UK Director Business Podcast recognises how challenging, and lonely, life at the top can be. Created for business owners, CEOs, directors and senior decision makers, it delivers inspiring, practical and informative content. Expect honest conversations with business leaders sharing their personal journeys, alongside expert insights, tips and advice to help you navigate challenges and find the support you need.

  1. 18h ago

    HR Isn't "Fluffy": The Strategic Side of People | Lynn MacDonald, CEO of Prettys Solicitors

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Rob Thacker talk to Lynn MacDonald, CEO at Prettys Solicitors. From a Saturday job at B&Q to becoming CEO of Prettys in 2026, Lynn's career journey is a masterclass in following your strengths. She shares her experience working in HR across the public and private sectors, challenges the stigma often attached to the profession, and explains why finding a job that feels easy isn't a weakness, but a sign you've found what you're naturally good at. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence. To find out more: http://www.ukdirectormagazines.co.uk/ -- 00:00 Intro 01:01 Who is Lynn MacDonald? 01:35 From Radiography To HR 02:27 Mentors And First Breaks 03:54 Finding The Right Fit 06:47 Learning To Say No 10:10 Parents And Early Drive 10:57 Switch To Public Sector 12:48 Handling Tough HR Calls 17:06 Unions And Politics 18:43 Global HR At Maersk 22:01 Work Life Balance Pivot 22:43 Joining Prettys Solicitors 23:52 Hybrid Working Transformation 25:53 Clients In A Remote World 26:59 Remote Reach After Covid 27:17 Hybrid Confidentiality Rules 29:02 Trust Based Firm Culture 30:27 Growing Talent In House 30:58 Our Sponsor Affinia - Making Tax Digital 32:48 From HR To CEO Journey 34:39 Strategic HR In Boardroom 36:06 Leading As A Woman CEO 40:13 Learning To Run A Business 42:06 Plain English Communication Shift 43:55 CEO Challenges And Pace 45:14 AI Threat And Opportunity 47:03 Future Vision For Prettys 49:31 Wellbeing Hobbies And Balance 50:33 Family Bucket List And Travel 51:40 Sustainable Pace Avoid Burnout 52:49 Advice To Kids "Say Yes"

    HR Isn't "Fluffy": The Strategic Side of People | Lynn MacDonald, CEO of Prettys Solicitors

  2. Aug 14

    How a CRM can revolutionise your business | Matt Freestone, Founder & Managing Director of Unmatched

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, host Sue Wilcock and co-host Rob Thacker talk to Matt Freestone, founder of CRM and data services business, Unmatched. In this inspiring episode, Matt talks about how a CRM can revolutionise your business and how what he does helps organisations to build success with a purpose. He talks about his early career, from when he was 26 years old and in charge of a £2.5 million marketing budget, to starting his own business and now helping clients build £25k a month extra revenue. Matt offers practical insights and honest reflections that will resonate with business owners, directors and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence. To find out more: http://www.ukdirectormagazines.co.uk/ -- 00:00 - Intro 01:35 - Who is Matt Freestone? 04:25 - Getting into Marketing 06:20 - Guerrilla Marketing 08:00 - Strategy vs Tactics 11:30 - Getting into CRMs 13:05 - What is a CRM? 15:00 - Business Start-up Story 16:36 - Impulsivity 19:00 - HubSpot Partner Programme 21:00 - How a CRM can Revolutionise your Business 28:20 - Getting £25k a Month in Extra Revenue (Case Study) 29:50 - How Automation Works 31:55 - Introduction to Affinia 34:20 - Integrating CRMs with AI Notetaking 38:15 - Matt's AI Executive Assistant 41:00 - GDPR in CRMs & AI 46:00 - Building a Business in a Crowded Market 48:00 - Does HubSpot own Your Data? 55:00 - The Future of Unmatched 57:30 - UK Director Business Club

    How a CRM can revolutionise your business | Matt Freestone, Founder & Managing Director of Unmatched

  3. Jun 16

    Sue Wilcock, Rob Thacker, Callum Howard – Reflections

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, host and Managing Editor of UK Director Magazines, Sue Wilcock, and co-host Rob Thacker, CEO of Sona Insurance, are joined by podcast producer Callum Howard, co-founder of Limitless Film and Media. This episode is a recap of our most recent episodes where we chat about the common threads coming up in our conversations around running a business and reflect on the lessons we’ve learned. We also take a trip down memory lane, chatting about music memories and recalling the most impactful advertising campaigns of our youth, and how things have changed from then to now. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence. We provide the space for top-level conversation, without the noise. So, if you run a business based in Suffolk, Norfolk or Essex, why don’t you join our UK Director Business Club. To find out more: https://ukdirectormagazines.co.uk/uk-director-business-club/

    Sue Wilcock, Rob Thacker, Callum Howard – Reflections

  4. May 15

    Bob Steward and Mark Hart, Joint MDs at Barnes Construction

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, Sue Wilcock of UK Director Magazines and Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance talk to the Joint Managing Directors of Barnes Construction, Bob Steward & Mark Hart. This is a fascinating insight into how two experienced operators share the responsibility of running a business as joint MDs. We take a trip down memory lane and reflect on how they have steadied the ship through difficult transitions, lockdowns, and what the future holds for them. Bob and Mark are two very different people who have built a thriving partnership, and they walk us through the secret to keeping the friendship alive, both personally and professionally. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence. We provide the space for top-level conversation, without the noise. So, if you run a business based in Suffolk, Norfolk or Essex, why don’t you join our UK Director Business Club. To find out more: https://ukdirectormagazines.co.uk/uk-director-business-club/

    Bob Steward and Mark Hart, Joint MDs at Barnes Construction

  5. Apr 16

    Simon Bennett, CEO of VINTTRO

    Join our UK Director Business Club: https://ukdirectormagazines.co.uk/uk-director-business-club/ In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, Sue Wilcock of UK Director Magazines and Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance, talk to Simon Bennett, CEO of VINTTRO. Simon always brings a fantastic energy, and this episode is no different. We delve into his lifelong insomnia, building a successful lifestyle insurance business on just four hours of sleep, how he uses music as a creative outlet, and how his early career formed the foundation for how he runs his business today. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence.

    Simon Bennett, CEO of VINTTRO

  6. Mar 16

    Gemma (Rosie) Cairns, CEO of ROL Cruise

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, co-host Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance, talks to Gemma aka Rosie Cairns, CEO of ROL Cruise. ROL Cruise helps its customers find their dream cruise holiday, but the people behind the brand are innovating beyond just cruises. After a successful transition into an employee ownership trust, the brand has become one of the UK’s best companies to work for. Find out how Gemma navigates the balance of power in an employee-owned business, as well as the surprising way she gets herself motivated to face the day. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence.

    Gemma (Rosie) Cairns, CEO of ROL Cruise

  7. Feb 16

    Jenny Hanlon, CEO of Adnams Southwold

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, co-host Rob Thacker of Sona Insurance, talks to Jenny Hanlon, CEO of Adnams Southwold. This is a glimpse into Jenny’s rise through the ranks of one of Suffolk’s most prestigious businesses, juggling life in the boardroom and as a parent, as well as how she sees herself as a custodian of the centuries-old Adnams brand which spans brewing, distilling, wine, retail, and hotels. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence.

    Jenny Hanlon, CEO of Adnams Southwold

  8. Jan 16

    Anna Butcher, coach, speaker, and new head of operations at Finova Money

    In this episode of the UK Director Business podcast, co-host Rob Thacker, CEO of Sona Insurance, talks to ex-MD, coach, speaker, and new head of operations at Finova Money, Anna Butcher. There is so much to take from the episode. Anna talks candidly about being a young MD in financial services despite not being qualified in the field, how she believes that creating the best environment and culture for a team yields the best results, and how she’s grown a reputation for leading teams that deliver results. This episode is brought to you in association with Affinia, the accountancy and tax advisory firm helping businesses and individuals make better financial decisions with confidence.

    Anna Butcher, coach, speaker, and new head of operations at Finova Money
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About

Born from real experience of running and leading a business, the UK Director Business Podcast recognises how challenging, and lonely, life at the top can be. Created for business owners, CEOs, directors and senior decision makers, it delivers inspiring, practical and informative content. Expect honest conversations with business leaders sharing their personal journeys, alongside expert insights, tips and advice to help you navigate challenges and find the support you need.

Information

  • Creator
    Sue Wilcock
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 UK Director Magazines & Saw Media Ltd
  • Show Website
    UK Director Business

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