In this episode, hosts Alistair McDonald and Matt Cormack are joined by Forfusion CEO Steven Forrest. Forfusion is a Newcastle-based technology business that designs, delivers and manages mission-critical IT infrastructure for clients across the public and private sectors. Steven shares how Forfusion has built its reputation by staying true to a quality-first strategy.

If you’re leading growth (or about to), you’ll get practical insight on:

• How to build a technology business on a foundation of quality output rather than chasing revenue at pace
• How to use apprenticeships and ex-military recruitment to build a diverse, high-performing team from the ground up
• How to balance innovation with operational and financial risk when delivering complex IT infrastructure
• How to grow through client expansion and referrals rather than aggressive outbound sales
• How to maintain a strong culture and shared values as a business scales rapidly

To find out more about Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 and how we support growing businesses, visit www.wardhadaway.com

Connect with Alistair:

Website: www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/alistair-mcdonald

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-mcdonald-1a446a21/

Connect with Matt Cormack:

Website: www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/matt-cormack

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mattcormacklawyer/

Connect with Steven:

Forfusion: www.forfusion.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steven-forrest/

Host Alistair McDonald is joined by Joanna Feeley, CEO of TrendBible, to talk about leading through change. As the founder of a business that helps brands make sense of future consumer needs and behaviour, Joanna shares her take on growing a business with confidence.

You’ll hear practical insight on:

1. Why looking ahead is a core part of effective leadership and how trend forecasting can help businesses plan for change
2. Why human judgment, creativity and different perspectives still matter in an AI-enabled world
3. What leaders can do to support decision-making in uncertain conditions
4. Why founders need to commercial, financial and people leadership skills as well as technical expertise
5. why every business leader now needs the ability to think ahead and interpret change with confidence

To find out more about Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 and how we support growing businesses, visit www.wardhadaway.com

Connect with Alistair:

Website: www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/alistair-mcdonald

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-mcdonald-1a446a21/

Connect with Joanna:

Website: https://joannafeeley.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-feeley/

TrendBible: www.trendbible.com

In this episode, host Alistair McDonald is joined by Andy Carr and Paul Callaghan from Leighton, a North East based software development company, to discuss how regional businesses can scale whilst staying rooted in their values.

If you’re leading growth (or about to), you’ll get practical insight on:

1. How Leighton’s history and legacy have shaped its success in a competitive industry
2. How to balance local, regional and global recruitment to acquire the right talent
3. How to build and maintain strong client relationships as your business grows
4. How to create an inclusive work culture that recognises team success and promotes a shared vision
5. How to prepare your business for challenges and why having the right people in place makes adapting easier

From Leighton’s long-standing success and growth in the tech sector, Andy and Paul share how the business continues to adapt and evolve in a competitive industry.

To find out more about Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 and how we support growing businesses, visit www.wardhadaway.com

Connect with Alistair:

Website: www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/alistair-mcdonald

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-mcdonald-1a446a21/

Connect with Andy:

Leighton: www.leighton.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andy-carr-52357442/

Connect with Paul:

Leighton: www.leighton.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paulcallaghan/

Host Alistair McDonald is joined by co-host Jamie Gamble and Tom Lawson, Chief Executive of Opencast, to discuss scaling a people-first technology consultancy from the North East into a national business.

Since becoming Chief Executive in 2020, Tom has led Opencast through a period of rapid growth, expanding the business from around 80 people to more than 500 colleagues across the UK.

In this episode, he shares how culture, purpose and a strong focus on people have supported that growth, and why the North East continues to be an important base for building successful technology businesses.

If you’re building or leading growth, you’ll hear practical insight on:

1. How to scale a business while keeping culture, purpose and people at the centre
2. How to build the right team and leadership capability as a business grows
3. How to create clarity of purpose and stay focused as markets and priorities change
4. How external advisors, peer networks and support systems can help leaders manage growth
5. How to think about long term growth in a fast-moving technology market, including the impact of AI

To find out more about Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 and how we support growing businesses, visit www.wardhadaway.com

Connect with Alistair:

Website: www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/alistair-mcdonald

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-mcdonald-1a446a21/

Connect with Jamie:

Website: www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/jamie-gamble

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-gamble-719a5416/

Connect with Tom:

Website: opencastsoftware.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/t0mlaws0n/

In this episode, hosts Alistair McDonald and Lesley Fairclough are joined by Mark Thompson, Managing Director of Ryder Architecture, to discuss how to scale without compromising your values or culture

If you’re leading growth (or about to), you’ll get practical insight on:

1. How to step into change and set a clear strategic direction
2. How a clear strategic framework and annual planning keep the team aligned as the business scales
3. How to expand into new markets while protecting standards, culture and momentum
4. How moving to an Employee Ownership Trust changes decision making, accountability and long-term resilience

From Newcastle to London, Hong Kong and Vancouver, Mark shares the thinking behind Ryder’s growth and the leadership habits and support that keep it sustainable.

To find out more about Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 and how we support growing businesses, visit www.wardhadaway.com

Connect with Alistair:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/alistair-mcdonald

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-mcdonald-1a446a21/

Connect with Lesley:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/lesley-fairclough/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-fairclough-0795295/

Connect with Mark:

Ryder Architecture: https://www.ryderarchitecture.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-thompson-8a6a8319/

Host Alistair McDonald is joined by Raman Sehgal, founder of ramarketing and Lead Candidate, to discuss scaling at pace and taking a North East based business into international markets.

If you’re building or leading growth, you’ll hear practical insight on:

1. How to cope when scaling exposes cracks in people, process and systems, especially when growth arrives faster than you planned for
2. How to approach international expansion
3. How to identify and use advisors properly as you scale
4. How to think about deals and investment, including what it means to sell a stake and bring in private equity backing

To find out more about Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 and how we support growing businesses, visit www.wardhadaway.com

Connect with Alistair:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/alistair-mcdonald/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-mcdonald-1a446a21/

Connect with Raman:

Website: https://www.ramansehgal.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramansehgalus/

ramarketing: https://www.ramarketingpr.com/

Lead Candidate: https://www.leadcandidate.com/who-we-are

Find out more about the Fastest 50 Podcast: https://www.wardhadaway.com/what-we-do/businesses/fastest-50/the-fastest-50-podcast/

Find out more about Ward Hadaway: www.wardhadaway.com

Find out more about the Fastest 50 Awards: www.wardhadaway.com/what-we-do/businesses/fastest-50