The Amazingstoke Podcast

About The Amazingstoke Podcast

The Amazingstoke Podcast is brought to you by Destination Basingstoke as part of its Destination Basingstoke Ambassador Community programme. The podcast spotlights some of Basingstoke’s amazing people who are members of the Ambassador Community. We hope you will listen, learn, laugh and enjoy.

Publisher

Destination Basingstoke

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Feb 2024

Latest episode

28 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

46 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Nov 2025

   Paul Fearon - Apollo Hotel

   In this lively and eclectic episode of the Destination Basingstoke Ambassador Community (DBAC) “Amazingstoke” Podcast, host Mark Jones sits down with long-time friend and respected hotelier Paul Fearon, General Manager of the Apollo Hotel. Paul shares his 10-year journey at the independent, family-owned Apollo Hotel, his deep roots in the Basingstoke community, and the surprising history of the hotel site—from its days as the Mercury and even earlier as a cinema that once screened Star Wars and E.T. From community impact to business awards, local partnerships, chamber life, and Basingstoke’s ever-growing potential, Paul offers a heartfelt look at what makes the town—and the people—special. And in true Amazingstoke fashion, the conversation takes delightful tangents involving Bill Clinton, Rod Hull and Emu, Gladiators’ Wolf, test cricket jelly-bean controversies, heavy metal, Gaelic football, and the joys of coaching youth rugby. A warm, funny, surprising conversation that shows exactly why Paul is such a valued member of Basingstoke’s business and ambassador community. What We Talk About Paul’s journey from Ireland to Old Basing How he accidentally discovered the Apollo Hotel Life managing one of the town’s best-known independent hotels The hidden history of the Apollo site Supporting community groups, charities, expos and Chamber events Winning Business in the Community and Place to Be Proud Of awards Hospitality stories featuring Bill Clinton, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Lady Gaga and more Jelly-Bean Gate at Trent Bridge (yes, really!) Gaelic football, coaching at Basingstoke Rugby Club, and local sport Heavy metal, Slayer, Megadeth and Paul’s eclectic music taste Why Basingstoke’s future is bright—and the magic button waiting to be pressed Paul’s final message: support local and be inspired by those who “walk the walk” Key Quotes “There’s something in the water that keeps us here.” “It’s all about supporting our town and making ourselves better by helping each other.” “Everyone in Basingstoke has a story connected to the Apollo.” About Our Guest Paul Fearon is the long-standing General Manager of the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke. A proud Irishman, community advocate, Chamber of Commerce stalwart, youth rugby coach and heavy-metal lover, Paul has spent a decade helping the hotel become a true hub for local business, events, and partnerships.

2. 

   14 Nov 2025

   Mark Henderson - QMC

   In this episode of the AmazingStoke Podcast from the Destination Basingstoke Ambassador Community, host Mark Jones talks with Mark Henderson, Principal of Queen Mary’s College (QMC) — one of Basingstoke’s most cherished institutions. Mark shares his journey from being a struggling student to leading a college that has educated over 100,000 students in its 50-year history. He talks about what makes QMC special, the changing face of teaching, and the importance of confidence, community, and curiosity in education. You’ll also hear: How Mark discovered his passion for teaching while travelling abroad What makes QMC an open-access college serving every level of learner The story behind winning the Inspire “Best Place to Work” Award Why confidence matters more to employers than just grades Mark’s life advice for young people: “Life is not a race.” His reflections on joy, music, favourite books, and the small things that make work meaningful This is a warm, thoughtful conversation about education, leadership, and finding fulfilment — both in work and in life.

3. 

   31 Oct 2025

   Chris Cooper - Rougemont Security

   What happens when you invite a cybersecurity expert on your podcast… and the power goes out? In this episode, Mark Jones chats with Chris Cooper, founder of Rougemont Security (https://rougemontsecurity.com/), about why cybersecurity isn’t just for big corporations anymore — and how small businesses (and even households) can take simple steps to stay protected. Chris has over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity across industries from healthcare to aviation. He shares practical advice, his entrepreneurial journey, and a few surprising thoughts about AI, quantum computing, and Back to the Future! In This Episode ⚡ The “spooky” start to the interview (and why power cuts aren’t always a cyber attack!) 🔐 Why every business — big or small — needs a cybersecurity plan 🧰 The basic hygiene steps that protect most companies from disaster 💡 The truth about ransomware and why so many SMEs never recover 🧠 How to keep cybersecurity front of mind all year round 🚀 Chris’s entrepreneurial leap: from corporate cybersecurity to founding Rouge One Security 💬 His advice to his younger self — and to any business leader ready to take the leap 🪄 Why Richard Branson and Tim Berners-Lee are his business heroes 🤖 The coming impact of AI and quantum computing on how we secure data 🎬 Plus: Chris’s love for Back to the Future, his eclectic music tastes, and what helps him sleep at night! Key Takeaways 52% of businesses experience a cybersecurity incident each year — and SMEs are often hit hardest. Start with the basics: strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and keeping software up to date. Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing process that evolves as technology changes. Understanding your risks is the first step to real protection. About the Guest Chris Cooper is the founder of Rougemont Security — an independent cybersecurity consultancy helping small and medium businesses protect themselves from digital threats. Follow Chris on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscooperuk/) for insightful, jargon-free posts about cybersecurity, technology, and leadership.

Who has been a guest on The Amazingstoke Podcast

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

• Kimberley Barber
• Roger Walker
• Marie Greenhalgh
• Mark Dolby
• Jose Messa

Reach and audience

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

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100

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

Quality

34

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact The Amazingstoke Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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