Share
The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast
IRWIN MITCHELL: The robots are coming: how tech, law and accessibility intersect in the world of business.
Our host Oli Barrett MBE meets Nicki Clegg, Chief Technology Officer of law firm Irwin Mitchell and Fadeia Hossian, Lawyer at Clifford Chance to discuss technology, their respective backgrounds and challenges and how to make businesses more accessible.
Nicki charts her journey to becoming one of the few female CTOs in her industry and details her approach to streamlining business using technology. Fadeia describes her inspiring relationship with tech and now developments in particular areas have enabled her to practice as a lawyer whilst having a visual impairment.
Oli and our guests also discuss the future of work for humans and whether machine learning poses a threat to senior roles held by lawyers, law makers and financial regulators. And our host asks the pair their thoughts on inspiration, motivation and who they’d most like to meet for coffee.
[4:33] Fadeia discusses the impact of technology on her practice, her experience with visual impairment and the ways in which tech enables her to fulfil her role at Clifford Chance. [6:13] Oli and Fadeia discuss accessibility tools available for the visually impaired in workplaces and the areas where improvement is needed. [8:57] Fadeia describes her experiences with employers and potential employers. [11:50] Oli and Nicki Clegg discuss Nicki’s background, her time at The British Library and how her PhD in Climate Studies has informed her current work. [13:42] ‘A slightly crass observation, I don’t meet many female CTOs’ says Oli, addressing Nicki.
The pair discuss the gender gap in senior tech roles and what change looks like. [15:30] Nicki explains her transition from a climate studies expert to an energy company and then into a law firm and the similarities and differences within each industry. [16:35] Nicki and Fadeia discuss the efforts of law firms to make positive use of CSR days and initiatives. [20:36] Oli asks his guests about practical examples of how technology is changing the world of work and for better or worse. [22:45] ‘What’s something you do in your role that you feel quietly confident that couldn’t be done by a machine or robot?’ Oli Barrett asks of this episode’s guests.
The Lens is a Business in the Community podcast exploring responsible business in a digital age, powered by Fujitsu and supported by McCann. Business in the Community is The Prince’s Responsible Business Network. We exist to build healthy communities with successful businesses at their heart.
Don’t forget to follow The Lens on Instagram and to rate, review and subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. instagram.com/thelenspodcast
More episodes
View all episodes
3. Linklaters and Triift Africa : Putting business at the heart of communities
43:24||Season 8, Ep. 3This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner at Linklaters - one of the world’s leading law firms and Yemisi Isidi, Co-Founder, Strategy and Finance Lead, Triift Africa – an organisation that is making it easier for underserved communities and businesses to access the services they need to succeed.In this episode, we discuss how businesses can get into the hearts of communities, make an impact and become part of the fabric in places across the UK as positive corporate citizens that play their part in strengthening society at all levels.
2. Associated British Foods and Out the Box: Women and Race – creating a human-centred workplace
41:00||Season 8, Ep. 2This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Sue Whalley, Chief People and Performance Officer at Associated British Foods – multinational food processing and retailing company and Renée Davis, Founder, Out the Box – an organisation that equips Black creative entrepreneurial and professional talent with opportunities and connections. In this episode, we discuss women and race in the workplace.1. BRITISH AIRWAYS and SHIPZERO: How can business build a better world?
32:41||Season 8, Ep. 1This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways – a company that probably needs no introduction as one of the world’s biggest airlines; and Mirko Schedlbauer, Founder and CEO, shipzero - Hamburg-based startup dedicated to decarbonising the logistics industry through innovative data solutions. In this episode, we discuss how can business create a better world, what our guests are focussing on in their organisations to benefit their people, the planet and communities, and of course, we’ll find out who they are beyond their job titles.
12. LOQBOX and JA GROUP: Beyond Profits - How Business Can Lead with Responsible Finance
35:31||Season 7, Ep. 12In this episode, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Gregor Mowat, CEO of Loqbox, a financial technology (fintech) company that offers a variety of products to help people improve their credit score and manage their money; and Jude Addo, Group CEO of JA Group, an investment firm focused on the wealth and wellbeing of its clients.They discuss financial inclusion – why this is an important issue and what business can do to help people. Reading list: Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. RobinsonMoney, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy AlcornThe Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono
11. The Lens Special: Police Service of Northern Ireland | Why keeping our roads safe is everyone’s business
29:22||Season 7, Ep. 11In this special one-off episode, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson to discuss the importance of responsible driving. Sam has responsibilities for road safety among other activities. In this episode, we discuss the reality on our roads and what employers can do to encourage their people to be safe whether they’re on the daily commute or driving for their job. They also talk about a new campaign being delivered by Business in the Community to help employers do more.
10. PINSENT MASONS and MATRIC LIVE: Social mobility - how can business open doors for more people?
35:48||Season 7, Ep. 10This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Andrew Masraf, Senior Partner at multinational law firm, Pinsent Masons; and Kagisho Masae, Co-Founder and CEO of Matric Live – a multifunctional education app that is reinventing the way pupils learn.In this episode, we explore social mobility and ask, how can business open doors for more people in a fair and equitable way?9. BP UK and UNILEVER: Businesses can positively impact communities. How?
35:27||Season 7, Ep. 9This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Louise Kingham CBE, Senior Vice President, Europe & Head of Country, UK, bp plc; and Clayton Chaparadza, former Customer Business Development Manager at Unilever UK.In this episode, we explore social impact and ask how can businesses positively impact communities?8. HERON BROS and VISA: The Benefits of Creating a People-First Workplace
36:20||Season 7, Ep. 8This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Martin O’Kane, Vice Chairman of construction company, Heron Brothers; and Katie Harris, Talent Attraction Analyst at Visa. In this episode, we’ll explore workplace culture and the challenges that two very different businesses are facing in attracting and retaining talented staff, along with the opportunities and benefits that come when organisations put a strong emphasis on their people.
7. Aldermore & Kippa: Inclusive employment – how every business can open its doors
30:41||Season 7, Ep. 7This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Steven Cooper CBE, CEO of Aldermore Group. The Group is made up of Aldermore Bank plc and MotoNovo Finance Limited. Aldermore Bank provides finance to business owners, homeowners and landlords, and supports savers. It operates online, by phone and through networks. MotoNovo Finance helps people buy their next vehicle. Aldermore Group is part of FirstRand Group, the largest financial services group in Africa by market capitalisation.We are also joined by Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph. Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of Kippa – a Fintech startup revolutionising digital payments for small businesses in Nigeria. In under two years, Kippa has secured more than $10M USD from global fintech investors, breaking ground in the industry. The company has served more than 800,000+ small businesses who record $3B annually on its app.In this episode, we discuss inclusive employment and how every business can open its doors.