Host Andrew Borland interviews inspiring leaders from the Liverpool City Region on their innovative journeys and contributions to the UK economy. The Novel podcast highlights the efforts for driving change and fostering innovation, enterprise, and entrepreneurship. Working with public and private sectors, Novel aims to enhance infrastructure and support to boost economic growth. The podcast serves to showcase the leaders, businesses, and community behind UK innovation and sustainability efforts.
Novel forms part of the UKSPF Horizons project, delivered by The University of Liverpool.
Emma Degg has spent her career bringing people together to turn ambitious ideas into meaningful action – and in this episode, she reflects on the leadership, collaboration and resilience needed to create lasting regional impact.
From championing innovation and supporting businesses through change, to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Emma shares why strong networks, honest conversations and purposeful leadership matter more than ever.
Covering everything from AI, net zero and economic growth to diversity, wellbeing and the future of the North West, this is an inspiring conversation about amplifying others, embracing new ideas and leaving places better than you found them.
9 Jul 2026
Episode 15: Liam Mitchel | Breeze Development
What does it take to go from a 21-year-old apprentice earning £2.97 an hour to building a successful digital agency?
In this episode, Liam Mitchell, founder of Breeze Development, shares the honest story behind his entrepreneurial journey. Starting with little more than ambition and a willingness to learn, Liam took the leap from apprenticeship and door-to-door sales into business ownership, despite feeling completely unqualified to do so at the time.
More than a decade later, Breeze Development continues to grow, and Liam reflects on the lessons that shaped him along the way. From handling rejection, building the right team, and learning when to let go of work outside his expertise, to navigating the changing world of SEO, AI, and digital marketing. This is a conversation packed with practical insights for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.
Liam opens up about the importance of discipline, protecting family time, and redefining what success really means. As a father, business owner, author, and self-confessed "free founder", he explains why growth isn't always about bigger numbers, but about building a business that supports the life you want to live.
2 Jul 2026
Episode 14: Richard Lydon | Obelisk AI
Richard Lydon shares lessons gained from more than 30 years of leading, growing, and transforming technology-driven businesses. Having guided organisations from early-stage start-ups through venture funding, private equity investment, and mergers and acquisitions, Richard brings a wealth of experience in helping businesses scale and succeed.Drawing on his background in innovation, business development, intellectual property strategy, and board-level leadership, Richard discusses what it takes to build resilient organisations, create high-performing teams, and navigate the challenges of growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Through his work with universities, research institutes, investors, and global business partners, he provides a unique perspective on turning innovative ideas into commercial success.
25 Jun 2026
Episode 13: Paul Blanchard | Harpscreen
Andrew Borland sits down with Paul Blanchard from Harpscreen to discuss the challenges and triumphs of expanding into the European market post-Brexit, maintaining client relationships, navigating political tensions, and the importance of innovation in manufacturing.
Paul shares insights on the need for a strong workforce, the role of apprenticeships, and the significance of keeping the supply chain local. He reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, emphasising the value of communication and collaboration in business growth.
18 Jun 2026
Episode 12: Andrew Dwerryhouse | Wild Thang
In this episode, we speak with Andrew Dwerryhouse, Founder and Managing Director of Wild Thang, a Liverpool success story that has grown from humble beginnings into one of the UK's leading branded merchandise and clothing businesses.
Celebrating more than 30 years in business, Andrew shares his journey of innovation, resilience and embracing change, from the days of hand-written ledgers and Yellow Pages to building a future-focused organisation.
A passionate advocate for collaboration, Andrew reflects on the mentors, colleagues and partners who helped shape his success, while highlighting the importance of investing in young people, nurturing talent and creating a strong company culture. Andrew also discusses Wild Thang's commitment to becoming a certified B Corp, demonstrating how responsible business, sustainability and continuous improvement can drive long-term success.
11 Jun 2026
Episode 11: Nick Sumpter | Envogen Instrument Services Ltd
What does it take to turn ideas into action? In this episode, Andrew is joined by Nick Sumpter who explores the mindset of fearless innovators, the attempts to learn from every mistake, and challenging others to do the same. From tackling skills shortages and inspiring the next generation of engineers, to embracing failure as a pathway to progress, and not being able to get comfortable if you want to leave a legacy.
9 Jun 2026
Episode 10: Nicky Silvano | Webber UK (Ltd)
This inspiring episode features ‘determined council estate kid’ Nicky Silvano, who, from a young age, was determined to smash through the glass ceiling. At just 22, he took bold steps, moving away from home to pursue opportunities that led him to build factories in the Borneo jungle and help businesses achieve a 25% improvement in six weeks. Discover how he bridged generational gaps by pairing apprentices with seasoned workers, fostering relationships and pride. With dreams of supporting Webber UK Ltd to reach 20 million in just six years, Nicky shares how leadership turns challenges into excitement, creating "digital angels" for the future.
8 Jun 2026
Episode 9: Iain Pritchard | Bachem UK
In this episode, Iain Pritchard sits down with Andrew for an insightful conversation about his journey and role at Bachem UK. With his rich scientific background, Iain shares his thoughts on the power of authentic conversations and a grounded approach to leadership.
Discover what success truly means to him, and learn about his academic pursuit in a challenging industry. Iain also emphasises the value of progress over perfection and reveals how Bachem UK inspires ordinary people to create extraordinary impact.
17 Sept 2025
Episode 8: David Millar | Heap & Partners Ltd
David Millar of Heap & Partners shares personal reflections on his company’s enduring dedication to manufacturing innovation.
David has been passionate about pushing the boundaries, from the early days when they were among the first in the UK to get a telephone, to their vital role in the global distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. David takes pride in both the modest and monumental innovations his company has achieved.
He believes that small businesses like his can deftly outpace larger corporations.
David also stresses the importance of the manufacturing sector and the nation embracing a more risk-taking approach, encouraging a mindset where robots are seen as partners rather than adversaries.
8 Sept 2025
Episode 7: Frank McKenna | Downtown in Business
From ‘Skem’ to West Minister - Frank McKenna, founder, Group Chairman and Chief Executive of Downtown in Business, one of the most influential business organisations in the North. Frank candidly discusses his own journey from political leader to business leader and advocate. We explore his 20 year career as a changemaker and the importance of government supporting business, the entrepreneurial spirit and regional devolution.
19 Aug 2025
Episode 6: Paul Jones | Northern Automotive Alliance
Having worked for organisations that included Bentley and the Volkswagen Group, Paul supports and promotes the automotive industry, providing strategic insights, and facilitating collaborations to foster growth and innovation within the sector.
Paul reflects on his impressive accent to leadership in the automative sector, where taking initiative and preparing future leaders has proven key, whilst highlighting how companies like VW honour British culture and legacy, shaping consumer perception. We'll also tackle the industry's evolving landscape, driven by legislation, competitors, and technological advancements.
6 Aug 2025
Episode 5: Nicola Honey | Scenegraph Studios
Nicola Honey reflects on her journey from being a leading games developer, to co-founding one of the UK’s most exciting XR companies. Nicola explores the challenges and opportunities in the gaming industry, which is currently facing greater growth than the movie and music industries, combined.
Nicola shares her journey of following her passion just before the lockdown which would challenge her dynamic skillset, highlighting the potential of practicing VR in a safe environment and the rewarding experience of working with schools, despite it clashing with traditional game development values.
28 Jul 2025
Episode 4: Jonathan Butters | Butters Innovation
Andrew speaks with the self-proclaimed ‘designosaur’, Jonathan Butters of Butters Innovation who dives into the design industry, discussing the changes he has seen in his lifetime, how technology is impacting creativity in addition to the extracurricular skills needed to blow away the client whilst taking leaps of faith.
17 Jul 2025
Episode 3: Chris Berg | A2O
Business owner Chris Berg emphasises the importance of building experience before reaching the top. Reflecting on lessons from his own career, Chris discusses the necessity of diversifying skills, leading to an understanding that having multiple capabilities is essential for career resilience. Chris calls for greater support for entrepreneurs in Britain, suggesting that more resources and encouragement would benefit the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
17 Jul 2025
Episode 2: Jake Lavelle | JPL Flavours
Jake takes us on a remarkable journey, recalling his time at finishing school, unsure of his career direction and what his future would or could look like. Fast forward to today, Jake is a proud family man and the successful owner of a multi-million-pound business, opening a state-of-the-art super facility and leading the industry. With stories of taking daring leaps of faith and navigating financial hurdles, Jake emphasises the importance of memory, even recalling a specific scent from two years ago. He reflects on the challenges of acquisitions and his determination to build a successful business in his own community.
Central to his success is fostering a culture of innovation, with an ambitious growth plan that sets sights on international expansion. Amidst tales of trial and error, Jake humorously recalls the advice of a career advisor who suggested he aim lower, showcasing how far he has come.
17 Jul 2025
Episode 1: Jen Fenner | DefProc Engineering
Join creative designer and co-founder of DefProc Engineering, Jen Fenner, as she delves into the art of thinking outside the box, sharing unique insights on fostering true innovation, even when faced with challenges, and continuously asking ourselves, “what’s next?”
Discover Jen’s journey from nearly opening a sandwich shop to leading dynamic design projects, illustrating the adaptability and resilience needed in entrepreneurship. Jen discusses the hurdles of launching new ideas and offers advice on embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.
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