The Downtown Den Podcast

Our Birmingham Downtown Chairman called into the Den to discuss what the business landscape looked like for the West Midlands – commenting on politics, the charitable sector and education – with some high praise for Andy Street, Andy Burnham and the Chancellor.

Downtown Director, Chris McKenna was joined by four young entrepreneurs to look back on the week that was, implications and opportunities for their business, the transition to remote working and plans for this week. And of course, we asked them who their #BusinessHeroes have been.

Huge thanks to Ross Green, MD of Embryo Digital, Antonio Giansante, MD of BGN, Kelly Gilmour-Grassam, Director of Making You Content and Partner of accountancy firm Williamson & Croft, Dan Moon for coming into the 'Downtown Den.'

The MP for Wirral South and Treasury Select Committee member Alison McGovern popped into the Downtown Den to talk with our CEO Frank McKenna about the Chancellor’s announcement on Friday, the government’s handling of the crisis so far, the Labour leadership saga and footy!

Downtown's Heads of Events, Helen Bamford caught up with some of the hospitality sector to discuss the past week (W/C 16th Mar) and highlighted some challenges in their industry as well as highlighting some #BusinessHeroes. Huge thanks to Louise, Greg and Scott for contributing.

Chrissie Wolfe won the City of Birmingham Business Awards ‘Woman of the Year’ accolade in 2019. We couldn’t think of anyone better to have a ‘Frank Conversation’ with our chief executive to celebrate International Women’s Day than the West Midlands solicitor of ‘Law & Broader’ You Tube fame.  

Check out Chrissie's YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3R8Vz5RkOezmBXl59__Gg

 

Downtown boss Frank McKenna caught up with his accountant, Paul Cheetham, for his latest podcast. Paul isn’t a ‘normal’ accountant though. His firm, Sedulo, have developed one of the coolest business brands in its sector. They have offices in Manchester, Leeds and London and are about to establish their brand in Liverpool. And, Sedulo Founder Paul has written a best-selling business book.

Here Cheetham talks business, mental health, fitness, politics, and much more besides and offers a fascinating insight into the thoughts of a business owner/entrepreneur.  

With the UK finally set to leave the European Union on 31st January after Boris Johnson's Brexit deal was backed by MPs, what can we expect to see short and long-term?  

In this podcast special that has been produced by our friends at Sedulo, Frank has his second appearance on Paul Cheetham-Karcz's podcast and gives his take on the recent general election outcome and importantly, what it means for both businesses and society.

Listen to the full Sedulo podcast here- https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLnNvdW5kY2xvdWQuY29tL3VzZXJzL3NvdW5kY2xvdWQ6dXNlcnM6NTE5MTM5OTE3L3NvdW5kcy5yc3M&episode=ZDkzMTBlNjUtODY3My00MjViLWJlOTktNjZlOTIwZmYzMTcz&hl=en-GB

Learn about what Sedulo do here-https://www.sedulo.co.uk/

Having built a hugely successful brand in CPL Training and sold the business last year, Daniel Davies had an opportunity to live the entrepreneur's dream and go off into the sunset with his new-found wealth.

Instead he decided to embark on an ambitious and inspiring regeneration project in his local area through his Rockport initiative. In the latest Downtown podcast he told Frank McKenna why.   

From a schoolboy entrepreneur to a professional snooker player – and back into the world of business, Irish businessman and adopted Scouser Sean O'Neill shares his rags to riches to rags back to riches story with Downtown in Business boss Frank McKenna.

From Preacher man to hellraiser and onto a memorable appearance on reality TV show ‘Take Me Out’ Tech entrepreneur Nik Maguire talks to Downtown boss Frank McKenna about his fascinating career journey as he embarks on its latest chapter as a social media guru.