What does leadership look like in 2026 when pressure is high, burnout is common and people are craving better workplace culture? In this episode, Laura Cadman and Ben Hickman join the Growth Hub podcast to talk about this year's Leadership Conference, exploring vulnerability, failure, listening, burnout and the behaviours that shape stronger leaders and healthier organisations.

High street banks are disappearing and many businesses are being pushed towards fast, expensive online lending without real advice. In this episode, we speak with James Todhunter from Enterprise Answers about the growing finance advice gap in Cumbria, the risks of "quick fix" funding, and where business owners can turn for trusted, face-to-face support before making big financial decisions.

Behind the highlights and beyond the hype. Join a group of young business owners as they talk candidly about the freedom, pressure and purpose that come with building a business early in life. An honest conversation about belief, balance and what success actually feels like.

This month we are joined by one of our advisers Ian Wilson, Managing Director of IW Process Solutions. To celebrate International Manufacturing Day we talk about Ian's Manufacuring experiences and his vision for the future.

Ian Wilson is a Lean expert with over twenty years' experience of implementing continuous improvement methodologies across a wide variety of industrial sectors with a proven track record of achieving results.

Click here to visit his website - Lean Consultancy | IWPS | IW Process Solutions Ltd

This month we are joined by Matt Ryder the Principal Lecturer at the University of Cumbria. The topic of our conversation is the opening of the new university campus in Barrow. We discuss the different courses that the university will be running and how the campus community will affect Barrow's local economy.

Click here to learn more about the Barrow Campus - https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/student-life/locations/barrow-in-furness/.

This month we are joined by the Directors of Thomas Jardine and Co. Keith and Jaqui Jackson, who are here to talk about their new leadership programme LEAD iT. A 10-month leadership programme built specifically for founders and family business leaders of independent UK businesses.

To learn more about the programme click here

Businesses in Carlisle will have received information in recent weeks about the Great Border City and plans to establish a Carlisle Business Improvement District (BID). We've invited Adrian Lochhead and Kevin Beaty, who are part of the team working on the Great Border City, onto the podcast to discuss what prompted the BID proposal; how establishing a BID will impact Carlisle; lessons from other cities and how businesses can get involved and share their views.

For more information and to sign up for email updates from the Great Border City team, visit the website here: https://greatborder.city/

This month on the podcast, we're joined by Martyn Staveley, Director of Three Peaks Consulting, to discuss all things international trade and to breakdown our new Export Consultancy service. We discuss:

• Challenges and opportunities for Cumbrian exporters
• The impact of global events on international trade
• Businesses Martyn has helped succeed in exporting
• Our new Export Consultancy Service including the different levels of support given to new and well-established exporters
• How the service will work
• How to get involved

Whether you're a seasoned exporter or thinking about getting started, we can provide you with a holistic service tailored to help you reach your goals!

Learn here: Export Consultancy service | Cumbria Growth Hub

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub Podcast, we're joined by leadership coach Alec Pearson to explore our new Leadership Mentoring Programme. We discuss...

• Current trends within leadership and leadership challenges facing the UK economy
• The 'accidental manager'
• Specific areas leaders are struggling with
• How the programme will work and expected outcomes for delegates

Delivered by Alec Pearson, Cumbria Business Growth Hub's new leadership mentoring programme will provide practical guidance to help leaders make confident decisions, build resilient teams and drive their business forward. Learn more here: Mentoring Programme | Cumbria Growth Hub

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast, we welcome Tracy Eyres, Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK. In this episode, we explore how Innovate UK helps businesses drive innovation, the financial support available for Cumbrian businesses, real-world case studies of successful innovation projects, and opportunities for local businesses to expand into international markets. Tune in to discover how your business can benefit!

Learn more: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast we're joined by Gemma Procter Sustainable Tourism Officer at Cumbria Tourism. We discuss food waste, its impact on the environment and steps businesses can take to reduce it. Learn about the national scheme 'Guardians of Grub' and the tools available to help your business reduce its food waste.

Go to the Guardians of Grub website by clicking the link below

It's time to rise up and tackle food waste • Guardians of Grub