The podcast is hosted by Natalie Whiley, Head of Industry Development, and Lucas Morais, Senior Membership Engagement Executive at the BVCA, and they are joined by Addison Barnett, Principal Consultant at Inclusive Employers, the UK’s leading membership organisation focused on promoting inclusion in the workplace.

The episode examines how firms can support individuals in being their authentic selves and foster organisational cultures where all employees feel included and able to succeed. Addison offers insights into the current challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace alongside the difficulties firms encounter when developing and implementing effective Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategies.

Key topics include representation, unconscious bias, and allyship, with practical guidance for senior leaders on fostering inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. The conversation also highlights the positive impact that an effective DE&I approach can have across an organisation.

Hosted by Natalie Whiley, Head of Industry Development and Jordan Crossfield, Industry Development Manager at the BVCA, with guests Simon Blakey, Chair of the Investment Committee at Playfair Capital, and Morten Siggaard, Principal at Cinven, the podcast explores how firms can build inclusive cultures and support individuals to be their authentic selves. 

The BVCA podcast emphasises the significance of DE&I in the private capital sector, with a spotlight on LGBTQ+ representation. Guests share their perspectives on current efforts, challenges, and effective practices for building inclusive workplaces and the positive effects of supporting diversity within portfolio companies.

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:52 – The changing landscape within the private capital industry, the speakers' perspectives
• 07:33 – Awareness, representation and support from your firm, and top tips for firms to increase this support to staff
• 10:13 – Senior buy-in within firms – guidance and best practice 
• 13:48 – The importance of networks and senior allies and working with portfolio companies to build inclusive cultures
• 16:37 – The importance of data and KPI metrics for LGBTQ+ representation across firms and portfolio companies and how this is developing
• 22:37 – Personal perspectives and the strength found from facing adversity in personal and professional lives
• 25:29 – Guidance on where to start building an inclusive culture

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Natalie Whiley, Head of Industry Development and Jordan Crossfield, Industry Development Manager at the BVCA. 

Their guests for episode 7 are: 

• Simon Blakey, Chair of the Investment Committee at Playfair Capital
• Morten Siggaard, Principal at Cinven

The guests discuss the practical steps that VCs can take in supporting founders, how LPs consider mental health in the funds they invest in, and the impact of tech on mental health more broadly.

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 02:20 – Balderton’s approach to support mental wellbeing
• 05:07 - How Playfair supports founders and encourages founders to be open and honest about their mental health
• 08:03 – The impact of the tougher fundraising environment
• 11:38 – Coaching founders and optimising performance
• 15:03 – The role of board governance in supporting founders
• 18:55 – Better Society Capital’s approach to founder mental health
• 23:27 – The LP perspective on how VCs can support founders and management teams
• 28:27 – The main qualities of founders and investors and what they need to succeed
• 31:55 – Tech’s role in poorer mental health and how it can be part of the solution
• 36:21 – Wellbeing hacks that can help with mental health

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Chris Elphick, Head of Venture Capital at the BVCA.

Chris’s guest for episode 6:

• Daniel Waterhouse, Partner at Balderton
• Hayley Hand, Investment Director at Better Society Capital
• Henrik Wetter Sanchez, General Partner at Playfair Capital

In episode 5 of the BVCA’s 40th anniversary podcast series, the BVCA’s Senior VC Manager, Chris Elphick, talks to Christoph Ruedig, Partner at Albion VC, Kerry Baldwin, Managing Partner at IQ Capital, and Stephen Nundy, Partner & CTO at Lakestar, about the outlook for venture capital and the broader tech ecosystem in 2024.

Covering off the shocks and difficult market conditions seen in 2023, the guests consider how the market will play out going forward, with tips for founders and investors looking to raise in a difficult market, the central importance of board governance, the increasing role of government, and the potential impact of BVCA initiatives such as the Investment Compact.

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 02:01 – Key developments from 2023
• 09:18 – 2023 was the year of AI, what sectors will take off in 2024?
• 12:40 – How to support founders going through a down/flat round
• 18:49 – The outlook for venture – green shoots or more pain?
• 21:09 – Addressing the scale up gap
• 23:50 – Where will exits come from?
• 28:20 – How to exit at speed in a tough market?
• 33:40 – Will fundraising be easier in 2024?
• 36:43 – Advice for emerging managers
• 39:16 – The policy landscape in 2024
• 43:00 – The impact of the Investment Compact
• 46:54 – Closing remarks

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Chris Elphick, Senior VC Manager at the BVCA.

Chris’s guest for episode 5:

• Christoph Ruedig, Partner at Albion VC
• Kerry Baldwin, Managing Partner at IQ Capital
• Stephen Nundy, Partner & CTO at Lakestar

In episode 4, the BVCA’s Head of Sustainability, Harriet Assem, is joined by Maria Carradice, Managing Director, Specialist – Environmental, Social and Governance at Mayfair Equity Partners, Eimear Palmer, Global Head of ESG at Pantheon, and Maggie Loo, Partner at Bridges Fund Management, to discuss how private capital is well placed to help SMEs to decarbonise, invest in technological solutions to combat the climate crisis and plug the investment gap needed to help the UK meet its Net Zero ambitions.

Mindful of the upcoming COP28 Conference, speakers also outline their policy wish lists to unlock capital and investment opportunities in the Net Zero space, whilst also creating financial returns for investors.

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 02:36 – Net Zero, does it represent the growth opportunity of the 21st century?
• 08:06 – Access to capital and why Net Zero is so relevant to private capital
• 13:44 - How will net zero affect standard businesses
• 16:21 – How is private capital helping the businesses it invests in to decarbonize and invest in the technological solutions of tomorrow
• 20:20 – The development of ESG scorecards
• 26:08 – Practical guidance and initiatives emerging to help private capital firms (including ICi)
• 28:30 – What the policy and investment landscape needs to look like to unlock opportunities for private capital

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Harriet Assem, Head of Sustainability at the BVCA.

Harriet’s guest for episode 4:

• Maria Carradice, Managing Director, Specialist – Environmental, Social and Governance, Mayfair Equity Partners
• Eimear Palmer, Global Head of ESG, Pantheon
• Maggie Loo, Partner, Bridges Fund Management

In episode 3, BVCA Chief Executive Michael Moore is joined by BVCA’s Director of External Affairs, Karim Palant and Head of Research, Suzi Gillespie to discuss the launch of the BVCA’s latest Report on 2022 Investment Activity; Private Capital: rising to the challenges of turbulent times.

Running order: 

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:41 – Background on the report, BVCA’s output and the significance to the industry 
• 02:09 – Economic turbulence in 2022 
• 03:20 – 2022 Private capital headline figures and data 
• 04:27 – Regional and national spread of investments outside of London and the Southeast
• 06:30– Investment focus on technology 
• 08:02 – Private capital’s focus on climate change solutions 
• 09:58 – Building the economy of tomorrow
• 14:30 – Follow-on investments to build successful businesses
• 17:25 – Dry powder: Committed but not yet invested capital

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Michael Moore, Chief Executive of the BVCA.

Michael’s guest for episode 3:

• Karim Palant, Director of External Affairs, BVCA
• Suzi Gillespie, Head of Research, BVCA

In episode 2, BVCA Chief Executive, Michael Moore talks to Garry Wilson, new BVCA Chair for 2023-24 and Managing Partner of Endless, to discuss his priorities for the year, reflections on how the industry has been developing and what we want to do next.

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 00:50 – Background on Endless and how Garry got started
• 00:00 – Reasons for becoming BVCA Chair and priorities for the year
• 04:01 – Reflections on how the industry has changed over the past 40 years
• 05:31 – Championing the industry story and the importance of proactive engagement with media and politicians
• 09:44 – How the industry is rapidly changing
• 11:39 – Private capital outside London
• 13:07 – Looking ahead to the next 10 years

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Michael Moore, Chief Executive of the BVCA.

Michael’s guest for episode 2:

Garry Wilson, Managing Partner of Endless, and BVCA Chair 2023-24

In this first episode, BVCA Chief Executive, Michael Moore talks to Charlie Troup, BVCA Chair 2022-23 and Managing Partner of Duke Street, to discuss his reflections on 2022, leading the Association as BVCA Chair. 

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:18 – How the industry has changed
• 03:06 – Reasons for becoming BVCA Chair and priorities for the year
• 05:50 – The transparency agenda
• 06:50 – ESG, more to do as an industry
• 08:45 – The importance of case studies
• 10:00 – Access to DC pensions
• 11:06 – The industry after the pandemic
• 13:26 – The importance of political engagement
• 14:28 – Memories and achievements from the year as Chair

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Michael Moore, Chief Executive of the BVCA.

Michael’s guest for episode 1:

Charlie Troup, Managing Partner, Duke Street, and BVCA Chair 2022-23

The BVCA podcast is designed to keep you informed on the issues we are addressing on behalf of the industry, the issues most important to LPs and GPs right now, and give you insights into how the world of private equity and venture capital meets the world of politics, policymaking and the media too.

The BVCA podcast is presented by Leon de Bono, Assistant Director General of the BVCA.

Leon’s guests for episode 4: 

• Michael Moore, Director General, BVCA 
• Sara Rajeswaran, Director of External Affairs