Professor Mat Hughes Podcast

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Listed as one of the Top 25 UK Innovation Podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_innovation_podcasts/

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59 recent

June 15, 202633 min

Community and Connection: The Real Drivers of Low‑Budget Growth

What if growth wasn’t about bigger budgets—but better connections? In this episode, Professor Mat Hughes sits down with Farhana Khan, founder of Armour Femme, to unpack how she built a fashion brand from scratch with almost no budget—and turned it into a community-led experience featured at London Fashion Week and Selfridges. Farhana shares the real story behind “low budget growth”: relentless networking and the courage to pitch herself in person—until one conversation led to a breakthrough collaboration with Lush that changed everything. This isn’t a story about viral hacks or ad spend. It’s about showing up, building trust with strangers, and turning moments into momentum. From university networking events to packed “Charm Lounge” pop-ups, Farhana reveals how in-person experiences became the engine of her growth—creating not just sales, but repeat customers and a genuine sense of belonging. The biggest shift? Realising the product isn’t the centre of the brand—the community is. Expect honest insights on resilience, rejection, and the emotional side of entrepreneurship—plus practical lessons on how to grow a brand when all you have is time, creativity, and the willingness to connect. If you’re building something from nothing, this episode will change how you think about growth.

April 16, 202642 min

How Venture Capitalists Really Evaluate Founders: Story, Momentum, and Not Wasting Rejection

Professor Mat Hughes speaks with venture capitalist, seasoned investor, and author of "Founder Unfriendly", Charlie O'Donnell, about the often-misunderstood relationship between founders and venture capitalists. Drawing on two decades in New York’s start-up ecosystem, Charlie breaks down why fundraising is less about being judged and more about telling a memorable, momentum-filled story. From “show beats tell” to turning rejection into real insight, this conversation demystifies what investors actually listen for — and how founders can approach venture with clarity, confidence, and promise.

March 2, 202631 min

Innovation, Convergence, and Responsible Growth: Michael A. M. Davies on Technology’s New Reality

Professor Mat Hughes interviews strategy and innovation expert Michael A.M. Davies, Chairman and Founder of Endeavour Partners and a Senior Lecturer at both MIT and London Business School, on how leaders can stay ahead in a world shaped by technological change. Michael breaks down why strategic acuity and audacity now separate the winners from the rest, drawing on examples like Schneider Electric’s early adoption of machine learning and Apple’s synthesis of existing technologies to create innovative products. This episode also tackles the ethical side of innovation, exploring how to lead responsibly when technology moves faster than regulation. Michael Davies reveals how modern leadership requires a balance of analytical logic and authentic values to attract talent and ensure long-term relevance.

January 30, 202628 min

Generational Branding and the Reputation of Family Businesses

Explore how family businesses can turn legacy into a strategic advantage. In this episode, Professor Mat Hughes speaks with brand strategist Meghan Lynch, CEO of Six-Point Strategy and a trusted advisor to multigenerational family enterprises, to break down the power of generational branding. She explains why reputation is one of a family business’s most valuable assets, how brand identity evolves through succession and generational transitions, and the key elements that make a generational brand strong, resilient, and future-ready. If you’re part of a family business or support one, this conversation offers practical insights on protecting heritage and legacy while building a brand that lasts.

January 13, 202622 min

The Habits you Need to Think Like a Futurist

Futurist Bob Chernow joins the Professor Mat Hughes to explore what it truly takes to think beyond the immediate and anticipate the forces shaping tomorrow. Drawing on decades of trend forecasting and insights from his new book Reflections of a Futurist, Bob breaks down the habits that strengthen long‑term thinking, why shifting our time horizon is so challenging, and how to spot meaningful “weak signals” amid today’s information overload. A sharp, thoughtful conversation for anyone who wants to navigate the future with more clarity, curiosity, and confidence

September 18, 202524 min

From Student Entrepreneur to Tech Pioneer: Growing a New Business with Dami Hastrup

Professor Mat Hughes speaks with Dami Hastrup, founder of MOONHUB, in a compelling conversation about turning a student idea into a tech success story. From launching a VR training start-up straight out of university to being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 and securing major funding from Google, Dami shares the highs, challenges, and lessons of building a high-growth business. Listeners will gain insights into scaling a start-up, navigating the tech landscape, and the future of immersive learning. A must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.

August 11, 202531 min

From Sold to Start-up: The Leap into a New Venture

Professor Mat Hughes speaks with leading, serial tech entrepreneur Ed Johnson, recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Social Impact in 2022, and CEO and Co-Founder of uRoutine. We look at look at the journey to becoming a serial entrepreneur, from starting a venture to selling it and then starting another business straight away.

July 1, 202543 min

Business with Purpose: The Social Enterprise Journey with Dorothy Francis MBE

Professor Mat Hughes interviews Dorothy Francis MBE about her experience as a social enterprise pioneer and thought leader. Dorothy Francis MBE has dedicated 38 years to the cooperative and social enterprise sector, driven by a passion for transforming lives and communities through social business, being named Business Woman of the Year twice, honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Leicester, and an MBE.

February 17, 202534 min

How to Think Like a Futurist

Professor Mat Hughes speaks with Bob Chernow, the former vice chairman of the World Future Society created to ignite the exchange of ideas about the future to understand and respond to our changing world. A stockbroker for 49 years, Bob managed 750+ million USD in assets until his retirement in 2023, and was named seven times by Barron’s Magazine as one of the top 1,200 financial brokers. Bob successfully predicted events and trends that have had a major impact on business and society. Bob is an avid supporter of the valuable insights that can be gained from thinking like a futurist and works to help individuals and organizations become more visionary in their approach and try to anticipate what could happen in the future.

January 3, 202530 min

From Family Business to Entrepreneur

Professor Mat Hughes interviews Ryan Chute, the Wizard of Ads, about his journey from his family's furniture business to becoming his own entrepreneur as a leading strategic marketer and the Wizard of Ads. We talk about his formative experience in the family business, the pivotal moments in his journey, and what makes a good entrepreneur and a good manager.