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New podcast champions North East leadership, enterprise and innovation

Newcastle University Business School has launched a new podcast series to engage conversations between the business community and the Business School.

The North East Edge is co-hosted by the School’s current visiting professor, Charlie Hoult, and Dr Fiona Whitehurst, the School’s Associate Dean Engagement and Place. 

Guests include Dame Irene Hays, Sir John Hall and former Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane.

The North East Edge podcast hosts Dr Fiona Whitehurst and Charlie Hoult

The podcast forms part of Newcastle University Business School’s ongoing commitment to championing the region as a great place to study, work, live, and invest.

The School will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027 and it continues to recognise the role its colleagues, students and graduates play in adding vibrancy and ambition in the region. 

Whether graduates choose to build their future in the North East or explore opportunities elsewhere, the School wants to ensure they remain part of the region’s story – and let them know there will always be a warm welcome for them if they chose to return.

Championing enterprise and innovation

One of the ways the Business School highlights the region’s economic opportunity is through its annual appointment of the Dean’s Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise, funded by the Innovation Research Endowment.

The prestigious appointment is made on an annual basis to a leading entrepreneur or influential figure who can inspire and motivate future entrepreneurs and business leaders. 

Past appointments have included leading entrepreneurs Paul Callaghan CBE, DL; Fiona Cruickshank OBE; Dr Tony Trapp MBE; Ammar Mirza CBE, Herb Kim MBE; Sherry Coutu CBE and Debra Leeves.

The current Dean's Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University Business School, Charlie Hoult, is a serial entrepreneur and Executive Chair of Opencast, now employing over 750 people in tech. 

He is also Managing Director of his family business, Hoults Yard, which operates creative business hubs in Byker, Haymarket and Gateshead. In addition, Charlie founded Futureheads Recruitment, a technology-focused recruitment firm, and Cheviot Insured, which recently merged with city insurance leader Lycetts.

Charlie has spent his career championing entrepreneurship, innovation and business growth.

Changing the narrative

From the outset of his tenure Charlie wanted to work with the Business School to create a lasting legacy byshowcasing the people, businesses and ideas helping to drive the North East forward.

With a background in strategy and marketing, and having won Entrepreneur’s Forum Champion of Enterprise 2024,he was well placed to help shape a podcast series that challenges perceptions and celebrates the region’s strengths.

The North East Edge is the first time the School has reached beyond its colleagues, students and graduates by inviting external guests from across the regions business community.

The series brings together some of the region’s most renowned leaders for a series of candid conversations.

Reflecting on the podcast, Charlie said: “It’s been great to break new ground with a podcast for Newcastle University Business School and have the chance to engage with a first cohort of guests. 

“We really hope to get wider traction (so, folks, please have a listen!) and to expand the content in future by interviewing regional and national business leaders.”

Co-host Dr Fiona Whitehurst, Associate Dean Engagement and Place at the Business School, added: “The Business School was delighted when Charlie suggested this podcast.

“We’ve always seen ourselves as playing a role in convening regional conversations and we’re passionate about supporting the future prosperity of our region. 

“This is a great way to achieve both those goals.”

Fiona and Charlie together on the podcast

Conversations that matter

Each episode brings together influential voices with unique perspectives on the North East's economic, social and entrepreneurial landscape.

It covers a wide range of topics including regeneration, resilience, devolution, innovation, inheritance, loyalty, community, and more, with a stellar range of guests.

Family businesses are a central part of the series. 

As a fourth-generation member of the Hoults family business, Charlie brings a personal understanding of long-term stewardship, inheritance and adaptation.

One episode features Nadia Johnson of Ringtons, the tea company famous for its doorstep delivery, and Tom Shanks from Blueline, the private hire taxi firm. 

Both are long-established business in traditional markets, but both businesses continue to innovate and evolve.

Technology, data and artificial intelligence also take centre stage. 

Charlie co-founded Opencast and founded Dynamo, the North East England technology network, which he chaired until 2023. In the podcast series, he and Fiona speak to Jacqui Leggetter, who leads a team of more than a thousand digital experts at DWP Digital in Newcastle, supporting analytics, insight, audit,reporting and decision-making across a department serving more than 20 million customers.

She is joined by Tom Lawson, CEO of Opencast, a leading North East technology consultancy and trusted supplier to government.

Further details of upcoming episodes will be shared in a follow up article, including behind-the-scenes with Local Heroes, the production company behind The North East Edge.

Listen now

The North East Edge podcast is available on all major podcast platforms. Listen and subscribe via Spotify and Apple Podcasts or watch on Newcastle University Business School’s YouTube channel here.

Episodes are released weekly, offering fresh insights from the people helping define the next chapter of the North East’s story.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bdaily Publishing .