In But Tell Me How, IoD Chair John Browett covers the ups and downs, the detail, and the reality of running a business.
In each episode, he sits down with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss what’s worked, their biggest failures and those often overlooked but crucial elements of their success.
Whether you're just starting out in business or looking to scale up, But Tell Me How is packed with practical insights and advice to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Sebastian James , former CEO of Dixons Carphone and Boots
In But Tell Me How, IoD Chair John Browett explores the realities of running a business with successful entrepreneurs and leaders – providing practical insights, advice and real-life stories to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode, John speaks to Sebastian James, former CEO of Dixons Carphone and Boots. Together they discuss how Sebastian overcame the failure of his first business and the lessons his learnt before he began his entrepreneurial journey again in his mid-30s. Sebastian particularly focuses on the importance of resilience and making sure you have the right team around you.
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30 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Dr Yvonne Thompson, founder of Choice FM
In But Tell Me How, IoD Chair John Browett covers the ups and downs, the detail, and the reality of running a business.
In each episode, he sits down with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss what’s worked, their biggest failures and those often overlooked but crucial elements of their success.
Whether you're just starting out in business or looking to scale up, But Tell Me How is packed with practical insights and advice to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode, John speaks to Dr Yvonne Thompson, founder of Choice FM, President of the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners (now Wintrade Global Women In Business Network) and President of APM . Together they discuss Yvonne’s experience of arriving in the UK at a young age and then starting a business in her mid-20s after she was passed over for promotion multiple times. Yvonne also speaks about the importance of knowing your market and the product you’re providing customers.
23 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco
In But Tell Me How, IoD Chair John Browett explores the realities of running a business with successful entrepreneurs and leaders – providing practical insights, advice and real-life stories to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode, John speaks to Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco. Over Sir Terry’s 14 years at the helm, Tesco became the UK’s largest retailer – and one of the largest in the world.
Together they discuss how this was achieved through making the complicated simple, and Sir Terry’s current work in supporting young entrepreneurs through investment.
16 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Romi Savova, founder and CEO of PensionBee
In But Tell Me How, IoD Chair John Browett explores the realities of running a business with successful entrepreneurs and leaders – providing practical insights, advice and real-life stories to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode, John speaks to Romi Savova, founder and CEO of PensionBee. Together they explore how Romi went from being an analyst to running her own business in her late 20s, which is now the UK’s leading online pension provider. Romi also discusses how she sees entrepreneurialism as a lifestyle, rather than something you can ‘switch on and off from’, and her slightly unconventional approach to finding funding for PensionBee.
16 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Greg Jackson, founder and CEO of Octopus Energy
In But Tell Me How, IoD Chair John Browett exploresthe realities of running a business with successful entrepreneurs and leaders – providing practical insights, advice and real-life stories to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode, John speaks to Greg Jackson, founder and CEO of Octopus Energy. Together they explore how Octopus Energy has revolutionised customer service and the utilities sector in the UK, all while staying true to Greg's original vision. Greg also shares insights into his upbringing and background, revealing how these experiences have shaped his entrepreneurial spirit.
Inside a recent episode
Sebastian James , former CEO of Dixons Carphone and Boots
Published 7 May 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And what was fascinating working with you is that you had that degree of resilience, which I often thought was because you'd actually been through a tough situation yourself. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I, I think, I think if you don't have resilience in those jobs, you may as well pack up and go home. […]
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