The Green Room: Questions that matter most in business

Hosted by Deloitte UK

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117

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The Green Room is an award-winning business podcast exploring the topics that matter most to leaders and professionals. Each episode tackles one big question with leading names across industry, offering strategic analysis, thought leadership and expert insights. Exploring critical areas such as digital transformation, AI and technology, leadership, the future of work, business strategy, innovation, and sustainability and climate solutions. Our expert guests and hosts will help find the answers that shape corporate strategy and economic trends. We'll ask questions like: Can AI help us be more human? Is technology our planet's best hope? What's the best way to build a network? Are leaders born or made? Do facts or feelings fuel our economy? And do elections change anything? Whether you're a CEO, an entrepreneur leading a startup, or taking your first step on the career ladder in a small or large business, The Green Room provides valuable business insights across all industries and roles. Join us in The Green Room every other Tuesday for engaging conversations and expert analysis on the business topics that drive change. A podcast from Deloitte.

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60 recent

November 3, 2026Episode 11236 min

What separates ambition from impact? With Dr Somayeh Taheri and Matt Henderson

When growth takes off, what has to change? Early momentum feels exciting. Things move quickly and it seems like you're beginning to make a real impact. But the ambition that gets you started isn't always enough to sustain growth. So how can organisations scale without losing sight of their original vision? When is it time for a founder's role to evolve? And how can businesses put the right talent, processes and boundaries in place to keep moving forward? In this episode of The Green Room, Dr Somayeh Taheri, co-founder and CEO of UrbanChain, joined Matt Henderson, UK managing partner, Deloitte Private, to discuss how businesses and leaders must change as they grow. Listen to find out: Why early success doesn't mean you're ready to scale How to build for growth without getting ahead of demand How to balance innovation with strategic boundaries Why evolving as a personality is as important as evolving your business Enjoyed this episode? Visit our website to learn more: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about our social impact partner, CAST: https://www.wearecast.org.uk/about-us/worthwhile-ai-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/ Guests: Dr Somayeh Taheri and Matt Henderson Hosts: Hannah Gowen and Oli Carpenter Recorded: London, 13.10.26

October 20, 2026Episode 11138 min

Are pioneers better at learning or unlearning? With Jasmine Robinson and Alice John

When does 'tried and tested' fall short? Experience and expertise can get us far. But in a world that's constantly moving, what has worked before might not always work in the future. So, is knowing when to question what we know an underrated skill we need to get better at? Is being open to thinking beyond our comfort zone what sets pioneers apart? Co-founder and managing partner at Monarch Collective, Jasmine Robinson, joined Alice John, director in Deloitte's Sports Business Group to question whether knowledge always leads to better outcomes, in this episode recorded at Leaders Week London 2026. Listen to find out: If experience is always an advantage How unlearning can fuel progress When to pivot or persist Why innovation needs the right culture Enjoyed this episode? Visit our website to learn more: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about our social impact partner, Teach First: teachfirst.org.uk Guests: Jasmine Robinson and Alice John Hosts: Oli Carpenter and Jenny Haskel Recorded: Leaders Week London 2026, 07.10.26

October 6, 2026Episode 11031 min

What makes innovation worth backing? With Sir Danny Alexander and Radhika Patel

You might have a great idea, but how do you gain supporters? The strongest innovations don't always succeed. They require commitment from those with the resources to take it to the next level. So, what does it take to turn "this will work" into "I'll back it"? In this episode, Sir Danny Alexander, CEO, HSBC Infrastructure Finance and Sustainability, joins Radhika Patel, Healthcare M&A and Corporate Finance Advisor, Deloitte UK, to discuss what turns a promising idea into an innovation worth backing. Listen to find out: Why the best ideas don't always win How investors and decision-makers really think Why evidence matters, but judgement still counts How the wrong supporter can hold you back Enjoyed this episode? Visit our website to learn more: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about our social impact partner, Groundwork: groundwork.org.uk Guests: Sir Danny Alexander and Radhika Patel Hosts: Hannah Gowen and Jenny Haskel Recording date and location: London, 14.09.26

September 22, 2026Episode 10935 min

How do we create progress through uncertainty? With Alex Edmans and Debo De

How much certainty do you really need to make a good decision? It might feel easier to wait for clarity before acting, but perhaps opportunity lies in embracing the unknown? Maybe the confidence to do so doesn't mean knowing you'll be right but trusting your decisions along the way. So how can leaders judge decisions by the thinking behind them, rather than the outcome alone? In this episode, Alex Edmans, professor of finance and author, joins Debo De, chief economist at Deloitte UK, to discuss how businesses can confidently navigate uncertainty. Listen to find out: Why a good decision can still lead to a bad outcome How leaders can avoid overconfidence Why flexibility beats perfect planning How embracing adversity can unlock opportunity Enjoyed this episode? Visit our website to learn more: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about our social impact partner, Trussell . Guests: Alex Edmans and Debo De Hosts: Oli Carpenter and Hannah Gowen Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 07.09.26

September 8, 2026Episode 10839 min

Why do some people see the future first? With Anne-Marie Imafidon and Scott Campbell

It's not always the grandest idea or loudest voice in the room that shapes the future. Breakthroughs often begin with someone willing to see possibilities others overlook. Someone who questions the status quo and is curious about why things happen. But do businesses create the conditions to support those pioneers and allow their ideas to become progress? In this episode, Anne-Marie Imafidon, co-founder and CEO of Stemettes, joins Scott Campbell, AI Advantage partner at Deloitte, to challenge the myth of lone visionaries and explore what truly makes a pioneer. Listen to find out: Why curiosity needs discipline Why pioneers aren't always lone mavericks How to keep going when an idea feels impossible How to get your idea heard Enjoyed this episode? Visit our website to learn more: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about social impact partner, Teach First: teachfirst.org.uk Guests: Anne-Marie Imafidon and Scott Campbell Hosts: Steph Dobbs and Gerry Popova Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 19.08.26

July 28, 2026Episode 10742 min

Is the UK ready for AI? The series finale on transformation, trust and the infrastructure behind it all

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, how businesses grow and how countries compete. When you look back at history, every generation has a technology that changes everything. Steam. Electricity. The Internet. So technology transformation isn't new. But as we face the latest challenge, is the UK ready? In this series finale of The Green Room, we bring together experts from past episodes to explore what readiness really means. For people, for organisations and for the country as a whole. From skills and trust to energy, infrastructure and investment, this episode looks beyond the hype to the choices that will shape the UK's AI future. Tune in to find out: Why AI readiness is about more than technology How businesses can move from experimentation to adoption at scale Why trust, leadership and skills could decide how much value AI creates Why compute, energy and infrastructure are central to the UK's AI ambitions What it will take for people, businesses and regions across the UK to benefit This episode is the finale of The Green Room's series exploring the AI opportunity for the UK. Listen back to the full series wherever you get your podcasts, starting with our 100th episode: What will be the last job on earth? Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Featuring guests: Anne-Marie Malley, Ben Legg, Bruce Daisley, Kate Sweeney, Sharon Hague, Oliver Seal, Mike Manby, Kate O'Neill, Julia Lo Bue-Said, Tom Astill, Simon McDougall, Avtar Benning, Caroline Brown, Tom Cope, Carol Yan and Tom Harris. Host: Jenny Haskel Original music: Ali Barrett This episode was recorded in London on 13 July 2026. Featuring clips from episode 94 (recorded November 2025) and episodes 100 to 106 (recorded between February and July 2026) – all recorded in London.

July 14, 2026Episode 10638 min

Will energy decide the AI race? With Caroline Brown and Tom Cope

We use AI in a digital world - but its future may depend on the physical one. Behind every prompt, agent and model, sits a system that needs to be built, funded and powered. And as organisations and countries race to adopt AI, the demand for access is accelerating. So could a technology that's built to allow limitless thinking, end up limited by a country's network and ability to build? Because the future of AI depends on compute capacity. That depends on infrastructure. And that depends on energy. And it's those elements which determine the price we all pay to use it. Tune in to find out: Why AI is creating a new race for energy and infrastructure Why data centres could become a strategic resource How energy-intensive AI could also help solve sustainability challenges Why the future of AI depends on decisions being made today This episode is part of The Green Room's series exploring the AI future for the UK. Listen to the full series now, starting with our 100th episode: What will be the last job on earth? Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Secure your place at Deloitte's crucial national conference, UK Energy Transition: Building Resilience, Accelerating Delivery . Find out more about AbilityNet, one of Deloitte's Social Impact partners: abilitynet.org.uk Guests: Caroline Brown, Partner in AI for Infrastructure and Sustainability at Deloitte, and Tom Cope, Partner in Deloitte's Infrastructure and Capital Projects team Hosts: Oli Carpenter and Hannah Gowen Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 01.07.26

June 30, 2026Episode 10540 min

Can we trust something we don't fully understand? With Simon McDougall and Avtar Benning

The challenge is no longer just what AI can do, but whether people have enough confidence to use it. As AI adoption accelerates, trust is becoming one of the biggest barriers to scale – the difference between experimentation and widespread transformation. Because the companies that benefit most from the technology may not be the ones with the most advanced capabilities, but those that create enough trust for people to use it. So what does it take to create systems where decisions and risk can be understood, measured and trusted? Because trust isn't something technology can ask for, it's built through experience, transparency, governance and fairness. AI isn't just making us more productive. It's influencing decisions that impact people's lives and driving widespread change in how we work, think and choose. If the future is AI-led - understanding what's inside the "black box" matters more than ever. Simon McDougall, Chief Strategist for Privacy and AI at ZoomInfo, and Avtar Benning, director in Deloitte's Trustworthy AI offering, join us in The Green Room as we ask: Can we trust something we don't fully understand? Tune in to find out: How the pace of adoption is making trust harder What AI can learn from aeroplanes and food hygiene ratings The three foundations needed to build trust at scale Why AI and humans fail differently This episode is part of The Green Room's series exploring the AI future for the UK. Listen to the full series now, starting with our 100th episode: What will be the last job on earth? Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about Scope, one of Deloitte's national charity partners: scope.org.uk Guests: Simon McDougall - Chief Strategist for Privacy & AI, ZoomInfo and Avtar Benning – Director in Trustworthy AI, Deloitte Hosts: Steph Dobbs and Andrea Boxall Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 16.06.26

June 16, 2026Episode 10440 min

Are we planning enough for AI? With Bruce Daisley and Kate Sweeney

Disruption isn't new. But right now, it feels different. Technology, economic pressures, geopolitical shifts, changing workforce expectations – they're all colliding at speed. And at the centre of it all is AI. The challenge isn't just how to respond - and in real time - but to rethink how businesses work. AI is central to this shift. It's already changing how work gets done, how decisions are made, and how value is created. So, the question is no longer "how do we use AI?" but "are organisations designed to fully realise its potential?" Because many aren't. But reinvention isn't easy. It requires leaders to challenge long-held assumptions, rethink how value is created, and close the gap between technology investment and workforce readiness. Because as access to AI becomes more widespread, it won't be the technology that sets organisations apart – it will be how it's used. So, how is AI reshaping work – and the way it gets done? What does good human and AI collaboration look like day to day? And if everyone has access to AI, what will truly differentiate businesses? That's what we're exploring in this episode of The Green Room with Bruce Daisley, best-selling author and future of work expert and Kate Sweeney, Human Capital Consulting Leader at Deloitte UK, as we ask: Are we planning enough for AI? Tune in to find out: Why we need to avoid worrying what others are doing The importance of experimentation in AI implementation How thinking differently and reinvention is vital for success Why 'agency' at work isn't just for AI agents This episode is part of The Green Room's series exploring the AI future for the UK. Listen to the full series now, starting with our 100 th episode: What will be the last job on earth? Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about The Yard Scotland: theyardscotland.org.uk Guests: Bruce Daisley, future of work expert, Sunday Times bestselling author and former YouTube and Twitter exec. Kate Sweeney, Deloitte UK's Human Capital Consulting lead. Hosts: Oli Carpenter and Hannah Gowen Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 04.06.26

June 2, 2026Episode 10335 min

What makes us feel confident in what we buy? With Julia Lo Bue-Said and Tom Astill

It's no longer a question of whether AI will change how we buy, but by how much? We're turning to AI for inspiration and advice - and soon, it may even guide or manage decisions for us. Not since the rise of e-commerce in the 1990s have we seen transformation at this scale – and how we discover, choose and engage with brands is being redefined. At the same time, the path to purchase has shifted from being one dimensional. We no longer access retailers solely in-store or via their websites. Instead, we're relying on platforms such as social media to buy too – all with an added want for personalisation. For brands, this creates opportunity, but also pressure. Showing up in the right places, with the right experience, requires new capabilities, new infrastructures and new ways of thinking. Because as technology becomes more accessible, it's no longer a differentiator in itself. So, what does it take to set businesses apart? What will define the brands that people choose in the future? Will human connection be replaced or become more valuable as time goes on? And if every organisation has access to the same tools, why do some experiences resonate more than others? In this episode of The Green Room, we ask: What makes us feel confident about what we buy? With Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, and Tom Astill, Director in Deloitte Digital. Tune in to find out: How the consumer journey is changing and why What we can learn from past shifts such as ecommerce How to balance AI solutions with human experience What will define the brands that people choose in the future This episode is part of The Green Room's series exploring the AI future for the UK. Listen to the full series now, starting with our 100 th episode: What will be the last job on earth? Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about Young Women's Trust one of Deloitte UK's charity partners. Guests: Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, and Tom Astill, Director in Deloitte Digital Hosts: Stephanie Dobbs and Oli Carpenter Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 18.05.26 - recorded in front of a live audience