He is a big believer in community. He is the Creative & Events Director for Aston Performing Arts Academy. This a community interest organisation that exists to empower young people through performing and creative arts. Since the organisation’s inception in 2004, they have impacted the lives of over three thousand young people in the Midlands.

Tru is a Trustee for Creative Academies, a Board Member for West Midlands Regional Tourism Board, Birmingham Hippodrome and a NED for TAG Network Midlands and Creative Academies Network.

He has is a champion for social equality, justice, and freedom of speech. He believes in true representation of all communities irrespective of race, gender, religion, sexuality, age, or class. 

When Tru is not working on his businesses, speaking at events, or lecturing, you can catch him on the nation’s favourite breakfast TV programme, Good Morning Britain, where he is a regular commentator on the show.

Over the years Tru has received many accolades for enterprise and his contribution to the arts. As you will hear, he speaks freely, openly, and authentically.

Resources

Tru’s website and course details: www.trupowell.com

The Creative Entrepreneur UK Clubhouse club: https://clubhousedb.com/club/12421-creative-entrepreneurs-uk. 

Aston Performing Arts Academy website: https://www.astonpaa.com/.

The Creative Entrepreneurs Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-entrepreneurs-podcast/id1569910186. 

Kandy Girl website: https://www.kandygirl.uk/. 

Andrew has always been an innovator. After reading an article that suggested that the typical office worker was only productive for 2.5 to 3 hours a day, he saw an opportunity. The opportunity was to both improve productivity whilst also giving time back to his team. He wanted to offer his teams the chance to earn their full salary, in return for delivering 100% productivity, but by only working for 4 days. Once his board had got their head around the idea, they began piloting a 4-day working week for all. The pilot went well and soon became the norm for the teams. 

Over time, other businesses got to hear about the success of this initiative and the 4 Day Week Global Foundation was born. Andrew has spoken all over the world about the initiative, published a white paper about the results, and in 2019 he published his book, not surprisingly called the 4-day week.

Earlier this year, a pilot programme started for companies in the UK who are interested in the 4-day week concept. As you will hear the benefits seem compelling, and during our discussion Andrew shares many insights that will certainly get you thinking. It is not what you think, so definitely worth a listen.

Resources

Andrew Barnes LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhbarnes/

4 Day Week Global programme website:  https://www.4dayweek.com/. 

4 Day Week White Paper 2019: https://www.4dayweek.com/download-white-paper. 

Andrew’s Book 4 Day Week: https://www.4dayweek.com/book. 

Acorn’s Children’s Hospice Business Club: https://www.acorns.org.uk/acorns-business-club/. 

Denise Lawrenson has spent to the majority of her career working in the rail industry. After graduating as a software engineer, she worked on major projects including extensions to the London Underground and rail projects in Hong Kong. As a woman, she is still an outlier in the Rail sector, but that only galvanises her.

In 2005 Denise joined KeTech, a private equity backed SME technology business who improve the experience of rail travellers around the world. She became CEO in 2019. Denise has worked in a variety of roles within the KeTech business and has experienced many highs and lows along the way. 

In 2010, after the global financial crisis, the company had fallen on very difficult times. It became Denise’s job to travel around the world convincing her customers and suppliers to continue to support KeTech. As you will hear, there is a pivotal moment when Denise asks one of KeTech’s customers for their support. Their faith and trust in Denise meant that they placed another order. 

Humble, understated and very focussed, her faith has never wavered in the potential of both the team and the KeTech business. Today, the business is thriving, applying lessons from their past to help achieve their global ambition.

Denise was a pleasure to talk to. She has a great sense of humour, and she shares many valuable learns that are meaningful to everyone.

Resources

KeTech website: https://www.ketech.com/ Denise Lawrenson – LinkedIn: Denise Lawrenson 

Acorn Children’s Hospice Business club: https://www.acorns.org.uk/acorns-business-club/.