Eastern Promise - The Podcast

About Eastern Promise - The Podcast

‘Eastern Promise‘ explores the full potential of the East of England. We talk to experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, disrupters and more, finding out why the Eastern region is the best place in the UK to start, run and grow a business. From architecture to zoology, every business has a place here, with Mike Rigby as your guide on this audio journey, celebrating and promoting our region. Eastern Promise also features the Plug Board; where a panel of three get to plug their own business, event or project in exchange for giving a plug to someone else in return. And there‘s also a bit of lighthearted audience participation in ‘CrowdSourcery’, where folk from across the East of England - and even beyond! - choose their favourite things on a given theme to share and celebrate! You can contact Mike at podcast@easternpromise.org.uk.

Publisher

Mike Rigby

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Apr 2023

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

201 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   The Future of Pharmacy at the University of Suffolk with Dr. Georgina Marsh

   “Pharmacy is maybe a little bit like magic, in the sense that everything should happen behind the scenes and you don’t see it.” — Dr Georgina Marsh Pharmacy is changing fast.  Once seen primarily as the profession that dispenses medicines, it is increasingly becoming a frontline clinical service—one in which pharmacists prescribe, manage long-term conditions and give patients accessible, expert care. In Episode 183 of Eastern Promise, Dr Georgina Marsh, Head of Pharmacy and Prescribing at the University of Suffolk, joins your host Mike Rigby to explain what this transformation means for patients, the NHS and the next generation of pharmacists. Georgina also introduces the University’s new four-year MPharm programme, due to begin this month (September 2026), and discusses how it has been designed around professional standards, regional workforce needs and the future direction of healthcare. Guest Dr Georgina Marsh is Head of Pharmacy and Prescribing at the University of Suffolk. A pharmacist by training, she is leading the development of the University’s MPharm programme and oversees its non-medical prescribing provision. Her research interests include pharmaceutical 3D printing and the potential for personalised, point-of-care manufacture of medicines. In this episode Why pharmacists are increasingly recognised as medicines experts and clinical healthcare practitioners How independent prescribing is widening the profession’s role in patient care Why communication, active listening and an understanding of patient behaviour matter alongside scientific knowledge How the new MPharm combines science, clinical practice, digital skills and early placements Why the East of England needs more locally trained pharmacists—and how a “grow our own” strategy could help address shortages The breadth of pharmacy careers, from community and hospital practice to industry, regulatory affairs, the armed forces, prisons and care homes How realistic simulation can help students move from knowing what to do to taking responsibility as the pharmacist How resilience, leadership and wellbeing are being built into training amid concerns about burnout The potential of AI, remote consultations, personalised medicine and pharmaceutical 3D printing How research, continuing professional development and partnerships with healthcare and industry could shape the department’s future. From science to patient care Dr Marsh describes pharmacists as “scientist healthcare practitioners”. Their work spans the whole life cycle of a medicine: discovery and development, formulation and packaging, understanding where and how it acts in the body, and helping patients use it safely and effectively. That scientific foundation is matched by clinical judgement and human skills—from reading body language to adapting advice for someone processing a new diagnosis. Training pharmacists for the region The programme responds to a clear regional need. Dr Marsh cites a 2024 community-pharmacy workforce survey indicating a vacancy rate of around 19% in the area, alongside shortages of early-career hospital pharmacists. Developed with input from hospitals, community pharmacies, GP practices, industry and the local Integrated Care Board, the course supports a wider “grow our own” approach to developing the healthcare workforce. Students will complete 14 weeks of placements across community, hospital and GP settings during the four-year degree, beginning in the second semester of year one. They will also learn in a simulated pharmacy, purpose-built laboratories, clinical-skills suites and mock ward environments. By the fourth year, teams will be expected to run realistic pharmacy services, respond to patients and clinicians, manage long-term conditions and deal with the practical problems of day-to-day practice. Building confidence—and resilience The aim is not to force students into an early specialism, but to give them the broad foundation needed to move between sectors an

2. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Water Matters for the East of England

   The Eastern Promise Podcast: Water Matters in the East of EnglandRecorded at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire | 10 July 2026 In this special episode, Mike Rigby is joined by three leading figures from the water sector to discuss one of the East of England's biggest strategic challenges: securing enough water to support growth, agriculture, industry, communities and nature in a changing climate. Guests Dr Paul Leinster – Chair, Water Resources East and Chair, Cambridge Water Scarcity Group. Paul Burrows – Chief Executive, Middle Level Commissioners. Geoff Darch – Head of Strategic Asset Planning, Anglian Water. Key Topics Water scarcity and future demand Climate change impacts across the East The Fens Reservoir Housing and economic growth Agricultural water requirements Water recycling and reuse Desalination Smart metering Data and AI Environmental protection and nature recovery Organisations Mentioned Middle Level Commissioners: https://middlelevel.gov.uk/ Internal Drainage Boards (Association of Drainage Authorities): https://www.ada.org.uk/ Water Resources East: https://wre.org.uk/ Cambridge Water Scarcity Group: https://wre.org.uk/cambridge-water-scarcity-group/ Cambridge Growth Company: https://thecgc.org.uk/ Environment Agency: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership: https://bedfordshirenaturally.com/ Anglian Water: https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/ DEFRA: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-housing-communities-local-government Ofwat: https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/ Key Takeaway The East of England is becoming the UK's test bed for next-generation water management. Delivering future resilience will require major infrastructure investment, smarter regulation, behavioural change, environmental stewardship and new technologies including AI, reuse systems, desalination and smart water networks.

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Jimmy Doherty: Bears, Butterflies & Big Ambitions

   Episode 181: Jimmy Doherty: Bears, Butterflies and Big Ambitions Quote of the Episode "Anyone can start a fight. Creating lasting friendships and partnerships takes work." In this episode of Eastern Promise, we visit award-winning wildlife park owner, farmer, conservationist and broadcaster Jimmy Doherty for a wide-ranging conversation about animal welfare, rare breeds, conservation, science education and the future of East Anglia. Jimmy shares the remarkable story behind efforts to rescue and rehome moon bears from South Korea, explains why he believes positivity and action matter more than protest alone, and reflects on the grassroots organisations making a genuine difference to wildlife around the world. We also discuss: The campaign to rescue moon bears from former bile farms; Why conservation needs practical action, not just awareness; Protecting rare livestock breeds and Britain's rural heritage; Groundbreaking research into safeguarding the British Swallowtail butterfly; The role of farmers in biodiversity recovery; Why science should be accessible to every child; and What makes Suffolk, Norfolk and the wider East Anglian region so special. Organisations and Causes Mentioned: 🐮 Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife ParkOffiically England's top Large Visitor Attraction, 2026! https://jimmysfarm.com/ 🐻 Animals AsiaWorking to end bear bile farming and improve animal welfare across Asia.https://www.animalsasia.org/ 🌿 Space for the WildJimmy Doherty's conservation charity supporting wildlife rescue, habitat restoration and education.https://spaceforthewild.org/ 🐾 Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA)South Korea's leading animal welfare organisation.https://www.animals.or.kr/english/donation 🐄 Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)Protecting the UK's native livestock breeds and genetic heritage.https://www.rbst.org.uk/ 🔬 Cambridge Science CentreInspiring children and young people through hands-on STEM education.https://www.cambridgesciencecentre.org/ 🌎 Eden ProjectEducational charity and environmental visitor attraction exploring the relationship between people and nature.https://www.edenproject.com/ 🐕 RSPCAThe UK's largest animal welfare charity.https://www.rspca.org.uk/ 🐼 WWF UKWorking to protect the natural world and tackle the causes of environmental decline.https://www.wwf.org.uk/ To contact Eastern Promise, enquire about partnership opportunities or to listen to our full back catalogue, visit https://easternpromise.org.uk. Eastern Promise is proud to be supported by Mills & Reeve.

Who has been a guest on Eastern Promise - The Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Anna Pool
• Tom Wood
• Richard Bracewell
• Andrew Williamson
• Michael Anstey

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

576

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

79

Social presence

0

YouTube

64

Engagement

27

Contact Eastern Promise - The Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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