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Newcastle University Business School has released a new five-episode podcast series The North East Edge. Launched in June, the podcast has sparked conversations about the people, ideas and organisations shaping the future of the North East.
The series brought together some of the region's most influential business leaders, innovators and policymakers, with co-hosts Charlie Hoult, the School’s Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise and Dr Fiona Whitehurst, Associate Dean Engagement and Place at the School.
Exploring a wide range of themes
The episodes explore a wide range of themes, from Sir John Hall’s belief that the North East could think bigger, act bolder and compete with anywhere, to the transformative potential of devolution with Henry Kippin and Andy Haldane. Jacqui Leggetter, DWP Digital and Tom Lawson, Opencast, discussed the region’s role as a national hub for public services technology, followed by Dame Irene Hays reflecting on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and building an international business from the region. The series ends by bringing together two leaders from established North East family businesses – Nadia Johnson of Ringtons and Tom Shanks of Blueline Group. They explore what it means to lead a successful family business several generations into its journey, examining succession, innovation, customer expectations and long-term stewardship.
Telling the North East’s story
The conversations have highlighted a common thread running throughout the series: a belief in the North East's ability to innovate, adapt and compete on a national and international stage and the need to tell that, to sell that, to the world.
As an aside, they have also highlighted Ashington as the birthplace of two podcast guests who have both owned Premier League Football Clubs.
Dr Fiona Whitehurst said: “The podcast has created a platform for conversations that matter to our region and to how we portray our region. It has shown that you don’t have to leave the region to realise your ambitions, and, as my co-host Charlie has recently written, you do not have to leave ambition behind to come home to the region.”
Behind the scenes
The series was produced in partnership with Newcastle-based production company Local Heroes. Working closely with the Business School, the team helped bring the discussions to life through a multimedia format designed to reach audiences across the region and beyond.
Dan Prince, Co-Founder of Local Heroes said: “When the Business School approached us to help create The North East Edge, we saw an opportunity to produce something far more than a traditional podcast.
“With such a high calibre of guests featured in the first series, it was important that the podcast established its own distinct identity. Drawing on our experience in film production, we chose a location-based format that gives the series a more flexible and engaging feel, while connecting people and place, in the North East. This approach provides scope to visit future guests across the region and beyond.”
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.
Interested in continuing the conversation with us?
The School is reflecting on the success of the series and considering what a second series could look like.
If you’re interested in working with Newcastle University Business School or you have suggestions for guests and topics for a possible second series, contact external.engagement@newcastle.ac.uk
