Barclays Corporate Insights

In a special episode of ‘In the frame’, we pulled on our hiking boots and trekked over to The Lost Gardens of Heligan – one of the most mysterious estates in the UK. David Harland, CEO, gave us a tour around Heligan, discussing its history, cultural impact, and the challenges facing tourist attractions.  Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, explorer, plant lover or garden romantic – this episode of ‘In the frame’ is a tranquil escape, as we ramble across the fields and woodlands of Heligan.  Don’t miss out – follow us now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to catch monthly, candid interviews with UK business leaders, as they unveil their triumphs, and inspiring journeys. Tune in for stories that will spark your entrepreneurial spirit!⁠⁠⁠'In the frame' on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'In the frame' on Spotify⁠⁠⁠To find out more on The Lost Gardens of Heligan:www.heligan.comThe Lost Gardens of Heligan on LinkedInTo find out more on Barclays Corporate Banking: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.barclayscorporate.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of ‘In the frame’, we jumped in the car, strapped on our seatbelts, put the keys in the ignition, and motored over to Hemel Hempstead. Muresh, director of Deansbrook Garage Ltd, is a self-motivated entrepreneur with plenty of fuel in the tank. He’s built a network of garages, not only providing motor services – but giving communities on-the-go grocery shopping facilities. Tune into ‘In the frame’ to hear our latest inspiring story.

Introducing our new bonus feature, where we ask our guests for 3 top tips for business success. Kicking off, we have Ning Cheah, innovative founder of The Beauty Crop, sharing her 3 top tips for leveraging social media to scale-up a thriving retail brand. Don’t miss out – follow us now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to catch monthly, candid interviews with UK business leaders from Retail and beyond, as they unveil their triumphs, and inspiring journeys. Tune in for stories that will spark your entrepreneurial spirit!

We applied some lippie, refreshed our mascara, and made our way to Chiswick for a chat with Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop. This innovative cosmetics brand combines skincare and makeup, drawing inspiration from healthy living and crafting products using natural ingredients. Ning shared insights into her formula for brand evolution, including being an early adopter of TikTok Shop. She also discussed the balance between building a business while managing family life, as well as her aspirations for international expansion. To find out how The Beauty Crop are shaking-up makeup, from start-up to scale-up, treat yourself to the latest episode of ‘In the frame’!

We swung by the offices of ESP Play, and climbed into conversation with Andrew Wood, Managing Director. Based in Burnley, ESP Play are an end-to-end playground designer and manufacturer, supplying equipment to schools, housing developers, and the leisure industry. We discussed the organisational culture of ESP Play, digital innovation in the playground market, and the physical and mental benefits of play in childhood. So, slide in and listen to the latest episode of ‘In the frame’!

We hopped on our milk float and headed up the M6 to Lancaster, where we chewed the cud with Mark Hestford, Group Financial Director, and Michael Sidley, Group Managing Director. SJ Bargh have a long-established history in specialised logistics within the agricultural sector, transporting raw milk from farm to processor. This year marks their 90th anniversary – but how does a heritage business ensure brand evolution and navigate modernisation of the industry through digital innovation? Listen to the latest episode of ‘In the frame’ to find out how this multi-generational family business continues to grow their legendairy status.

In a special edition episode of ‘In the frame’, we speak to Usama Al-Qassab, Marketing & Commercial Director, and Ulrika Högberg, Head of Community Strategy, at the AELTC – direct from the Championship Grounds. At Wimbledon, it's not just two weeks of tennis – it's all year round planning, precision, and partnerships. With a responsibility to preserve the prestige whilst courting a new generation of fans, how is Wimbledon's advantage maintained? Anything is possible with the right partners supporting you. So, tune in to the latest serving of 'In the frame' to find out more.

On this episode, we pull on our lab coats for a chat with Colin MacKay, CEO and Founder of Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services. Symbiosis is a specialist manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals for clients worldwide with an expertise that's globally recognised. We speak to Colin about the relentless incremental growth of Symbiosis, future expansion ambitions – and how Symbiosis negotiated symptomatic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. What can your business learn from Symbiosis’ journey? Join us to hear more.

Producing premium single malt Scotch whisky requires significant upfront investment, with products maturing for years before sale. So, what strategies do distillers employ to keep their cash flow off the rocks whilst laying down a legacy for the future? Pour yourself a wee dram and listen in as Euan Mitchell, Managing Director, shares the rich history, challenges, and future aspirations of Isle of Arran Distillers. Slàinte!

Join us as we dive headlong into discussion with Raffi Schieir, Director of supply chain business Bantam Materials UK Ltd and founder of Prevented Ocean Plastic (POP). With multiple sustainability-related awards and nominations under the belt, the POP brand is making a splash for both the business and their clients alike. Raffi shares how his goal to 'win the decade' has fostered growth that's both sustainable and profitable, and how embracing change, even in the face of challenges, can create new opportunities. Ready to chart your course to business success? Then tune in as we plunge into the full story.

Joining as a hands-on manager in his family’s multi-generational business, Shyam Raja, Managing Director of Midlands Care has since implemented back office structures - freeing his time to focus on the growth of the business. Sharing the success of recent acquisitions, Shyam describes how the business has stood resilient through hardship, integrating an inclusive organisational culture with a spotlight on evolving customer needs to make a real difference in the local care sector.

Celebrating Swift Dental's 40th anniversary, Roy McGillivray, CEO and co-founder, shares the growth story of the business. From its inception in a garden shed, Swift Dental has developed to become the UK’s largest full service dental lab, bridging the gap in skill shortages by leveraging digital technology to streamline workflows and attract a new set of talent. So, brace yourself as we drill into this story to discover how this future-focused business is upholding their position as an industry leader whilst staying true to their family business roots.

Founded in 1923 by pioneering psychiatrist Dr Kate Fraser, SAMH is a mental health charity built on change-making foundations. Adapting to meet rising service demands across Scotland's local communities, Billy Watson, Chief Executive, joins us on this episode to discuss the charity's new audience-focused strategy and objectives. Having just reached their centenary year, and with a powerful rebrand, Billy shares how the organisation is fine-tuning their approach to ensure their pivotal work continues.

Starting out as a distributor in the office furniture space, OE Electrics have evolved - through investment, acquisition and ambition - to become a manufacturer that’s reshaping how we think about power and charging solutions. From lecture halls to airport lounges and beyond, their goal is to enable people to charge their devices wherever they can sit, stand or walk. So, tune in to draw power from their growth story that could spark an idea for yours!

From humble beginnings as a mechanic on his family’s pig farm, Robert Collard started out with nothing more than a set of spanners to his name. Utilising his mechanical know-how, combined with a focused, disciplined mindset honed through his racing career, he has built his business to become one of the leading demolition contractors in the UK and largest privately-owned waste management business in the South. You won't want to skip this episode!

With a decline in Northern Ireland’s textile and garment industry, Celia & Bernard Birt had a decision to make – move overseas to follow the opportunities or create their own at home. More than 25 years later, they are managing their own successful business specialising in corporate uniform design across a number of diverse industries. So, pin back your ears as we unravel their story and hear how they are weaving innovation throughout the fabric of their business.

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed ride into the world of Philip Miller MBE – owner and CEO of the Stockvale Group. With a number of diverse, but linked, businesses - including the iconic Adventure Island theme park, bars & restaurants, a ‘zooquarium’, Radio Essex, and a property development portfolio - he shares his thoughts and experiences on the ups and downs of his professional life. Here’s your free ticket to the tale of an East End boy who built a Southend-on-Sea family empire and those who have helped him on the way.

In 1987, when district nurse, Ruth Appleby, was looking to place her children into childcare, she saw an opportunity in her local area. 36 years later, her business operates 16 nurseries, each with a good or outstanding rating from Ofsted. As well as working with a number of family members, she maintains a very loyal workforce and even employs staff who were toddlers at the first site she opened. So, how has she achieved this business growth whilst balancing standards with fees, and maintaining loyalty and trust from both staff and clients alike? Tune in to learn about the ‘Ripley way’.

What happens when a passion for history and storytelling collides with the hospitality & leisure industry? Rob Cox, CEO, talks to us about the development of the heritage sites in their collection, including the trials and rewards of transforming an 18th century derelict prison into a luxury hotel and visitor attraction. The ethos of this business is to give guests an experience which can be educational, emotional and will stay with them for life, underpinned by both luxury and sustainability. But is this all achievable? Listen in to find out.

This cultural music venue based in the north east of England is run as a charity for music lovers of all sorts, but it can’t rely on tickets sales alone. It needs to provide a diversified offering and evolve to remain relevant to audiences young and old. Sara Vening, Director of Finance and People at The Glasshouse ICM talks to us about the business strategy, product development and brand evolution that ensures The Glasshouse ICM remains a place where music lives and grows.