In this episode, Alistair McDonald and co-host Emma Digby are joined by Stuart Clarke MBE, UK Tech Week founder & Leeds Digital founder and chair. He shares how Leeds Digital festival grew from a few events in its first year into hosting hundreds of events across Leeds and how it became the success it is today. He praises how Leeds Digital became more than just a festival and how it has transformed into the largest tech community in Leeds and Yorkshire with a wide range of support available for businesses of all sizes. He explains why the North is such a collaborative place to build a tech business and why founders here can find their network faster than in London. Stuart also reflects on stepping back from the festival and talks about how UK Tech Week brings regional ecosystems together to show that tech is happening everywhere.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• How Leeds Digital Festival grew from a single event into Yorkshire's biggest tech community
• Why the North needs to be more confident about telling its tech story
• How tech businesses in the North can build their community faster than in London
• Why founders should talk to customers and investors long before they need them
• How building a strong team makes it easier to step back from your business
• Why staying focused is the one rule every growing business should follow

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 Emma:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/emma-digby/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-digby-41038626/

Connect with Stuart:

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

Leeds Digital Festival: https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/

UK Tech Week: https://uktechweek.org/

In this episode, Alistair McDonald and co-host Emma Digby are joined by Amy Morgan, Head of Spinouts & Life Sciences at Barclays Innovation Banking. Amy works with some of the UK’s most innovative founders, investors and university spinouts, helping high growth businesses access the networks, expertise and finance they need to scale. She shares her career journey from choosing an apprenticeship at Barclays over university to becoming a branch manager at 21 and then a vice president earlier this year. She explains how Barclays supports spinouts from before incorporation all the way to IPO and why resilience, authenticity and networks set successful founders apart.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• Why saying yes to opportunities outside your comfort zone is the best way to tackle imposter syndrome
• How being authentically yourself can help you stand out in a room
• How the fractional model gives founders access to senior expertise without the overheads
• Why founders should feel safe to fail fast on the way to the right solution
• Why founders need to understand their market before they build their product
• Why every growing business needs the right network of peers, partners and advisors around it

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 Emma:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/emma-digby

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-digby-41038626/

Connect with Amy:

Barclays Eagle Labs: https://labs.uk.barclays/

Barclays Business Banking: https://www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-morgan-36b405171/

In this episode, Alistair McDonald and co-host Emma Digby are joined by Scott Ellam, founder and CEO of Connecting Excellence Group (XCE), a UK listed international executive recruitment group with an integrated Bitcoin treasury. Scott founded the group’s flagship business, Spencer Riley, in 2014 with main objective of building the best place to work as a recruitment consultant. He explains how Bitcoin works and why he holds it as a long-term reserve asset and shares how Spencer Riley grew into an international firm generating over 70% of its revenue abroad. He talks openly about taking the business public and how XCE’s acquisition model offers a route to exit for owner managed recruitment firms that private equity tends to overlook.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• How Bitcoin works and why Scott holds it on the balance sheet as a long-term reserve asset
• Why setting out to build the best place to work has shaped the business for over a decade
• Why you need a reason rooted in your mission to take your company public
• Managing the pace of the US market compared to the UK market
• Red flags to look out for when preparing your business for acquisitions
• How a listed group can offer an exit to owner managed businesses that private equity overlooks

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 Emma:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/emma-digby

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-digby-41038626/

Connect with Scott:

XCE Connecting Excellence Group: https://xce.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ellam-5a097449/

In this episode, Alistair McDonald and co-host Emma Digby are joined by Mike Maudsley, CEO of enfinium. With 30 years of experience in the energy sector, Mike brought his expertise to the energy from waste operator in 2022. He shares his career journey, from starting out as an apprentice in Halifax to becoming a CEO and explains why introducing apprenticeships at enfinium was one of his top priorities. He describes how he balances shareholder expectations and his vision for the future with the daily operations of running the plants. This includes pioneering carbon capture at Ferrybridge and helping bring data centres onshore in Yorkshire.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• Why the first job of a CEO is to understand what your shareholders want and not what you want
• How a pilot plant in Yorkshire showed that carbon capture can work for energy from waste
• Why you should be open with your board about risk before problems arrive and not after
• The value of apprenticeships and growing your own talent
• How founders in regulated sectors can work with regulators and influence policy to open up new opportunities
• Why the CEO of a multibillion-pound business still needs a coach and a mentor

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 Emma:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/emma-digby

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-digby-41038626/

Connect with Mike:

enfinium: https://enfinium.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-maudsley-5480a417/

In this episode, Alistair McDonald and co-host Emma Digby, are joined by Zandra Moore MBE, founder and CEO of agentic AI consultancy Zygens. After 14 years at Panintelligence, the business she co-founded, she shares her experience of starting a new venture and explains what she is doing differently this time. She is passionate about being a female founder and at a time where women are starting businesses more than ever, she speaks candidly about the reality of the current funding opportunities and the support available today.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• What agentic AI actually is and why setting up an agent is a lot like onboarding a new member of staff
• Why Yorkshire has the talent and assets to compete globally but needs to talk about them more loudly
• The founder networks that can give you the support you need and why you should set one up if you can’t find the right one for you
• How to do your own due diligence on an investor before you let them in
• Why the share of investment going to female founders is still stuck at 2% and how business leaders can help change that
• Why AI projects should start with the problem rather than the technology

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 Emma:

Website: https://www.wardhadaway.com/our-people/emma-digby

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-digby-41038626/

Connect with Zandra:

Zygens: https://www.zygens.com/

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

Resources:

Yorkshire Growth Tech Group: https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/business/growth-hub/invest-in-west-yorkshire/why-west-yorkshire/sectors-and-industries/digital-and-technology/

Leeds Digital Festival: https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/

Lean in Leeds: https://connect.leanin.org/networks/lean-in-network-leeds

G and T (Girls and Tech): https://www.girlsandtech.co.uk

Investing in Women Code: https://iiwhub.com/find-finance/the-investing-in-women-code

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