Notes From A NED
by Samuel Kasumu
Beyond the Pitch: Eni Aluko on Football, Law & Leadership
About this podcast
A former Number 10 advisor hosts this podcast that takes you behind the scenes of boardrooms across a wide range of industries. It explores the untold stories and hidden dynamics that influence key leadership decisions at the highest levels of corporate governance.
Samuel Kasumu is a former Special Advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson where he held the Civil Society and Communities brief. He has extensive senior leadership and board experience, and is the founder of Inclusive Boards, an executive headhunting firm specialising in non-executive board appointments across sectors. Under former Prime Minister Theresa May he was a member of the Race Disparity Audit Advisory Board.
The podcast features high profile non-executives including Mary O’Connor, the first and only woman to lead a Big 4 accounting firm. Meri Williams currently CTO at FinTech firm Pleo. She previously worked as CTO at Monzo, Moo, and M&S. Alice Maynard, former chair at disability charity Scope and current non-executive director at the Financial Conduct Authority is also a guest.
Each episode features strategic leadership insights from non-executive directors and industry leaders, offering you a rare glimpse into corporate decision-making. Whether you're an aspiring board member, an experienced professional, or simply curious about how boardroom dynamics shape organizations, Notes from a NED delivers business leadership takeaways and practical insights.
Brought to you by Inclusive Boards, pioneers in executive search and champions of boardroom diversity for over eight years. Tune in and discover the real conversations that shape corporate leadership and strategy.
Find out more about Inclusive Boards at: https://www.inclusiveboards.co.uk/
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Episodes
The newest 20 of 21 episodes
- Beyond the Pitch: Eni Aluko on Football, Law & Leadership · 57 min · Season 1 Episode 20Eni Aluko: Breaking Barriers in Football, Law & Leadership In this episode of Notes from a NED, Eni Aluko shares her remarkable journey from playing football as a young girl in…
- From Tokenism to True Representation: The Governance Shift · 42 min · Season 1 Episode 19In this episode of Notes from a NED, we sit down with governance consultant and board member Ethel Tambudzai to discuss the evolving landscape of governance, diversity in…
- What Enron Taught Us: Risk, Audits & Board Accountability · 45 min · Season 1 Episode 18Can financial expertise be a game-changer in leadership? In this episode of Notes from a NED, finance director and leadership coach Naomi Connell returns for another insightful…
- From London Underground to the Boardroom: Crisis Management and Coaching for Inclusive Boards · 39 min · Season 1 Episode 17This week, join us as we dive into the world of finance leadership with Naomi Connell, whose career spans executive roles in public and private sectors, including her time on…
- AI and Climate: A Critical Intersection · 48 min · Season 1 Episode 16The Future of AI & Clean Energy: A Must-Listen Episode! In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu dives deep with Dr. Enass Abo-Hamed —a visionary entrepreneur…
- Building a Business in Dubai: Leadership, Culture, and Growth · 54 min · Season 1 Episode 15🚀 Feeling stuck in your career? Want to transition but not sure how? In this episode, David Singleton shares the secrets behind navigating career reinvention, international…
- Why Big Personalities Matter: Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on Identity, Leadership & Influence · 41 min · Season 1 Episode 14In this episode of Notes from a NED, award-winning journalist, author, and social commentator Yasmin Alibhai-Brown shares her powerful journey from Uganda to Britain, offering…
- Leadership Lessons from Kids Company’s Collapse · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 13Episode Highlights: Governance, Leadership, and Lessons from Kids Company In this episode, we dive into the powerful case study of Kids Company, exploring how its dramatic…
- Leadership Lessons from 64 Countries: A Conversation with Vince Pizzoni · 50 min · Season 1 Episode 12Leadership, Mentoring, and Global Insights with Vince Pizzoni In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu interviews Vince Pizzoni, a globally accomplished leader and…
- Making the Case for Climate Action: The Leadership Challenge · 40 min · Season 1 Episode 11In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu speaks with Helena Rivers, Net Zero Lead at engineering consulting firm AECOM, about her inspiring journey in engineering…
- From Conflict to Collaboration: Rebuilding Civil Society Infrastructure · 52 min · Season 1 Episode 10Building Resilient Communities: Insights for the New Year In this episode of Notes From A NED, Samuel Kasumu speaks with Rob Macmillan, a leading researcher on the third sector…
- The Power of Choice: Building Networks and Career Transitions · 42 min · Season 1 Episode 9In this episode, Samuel Kasumu and Kristy Merson dive into the nuanced art of navigating career transitions, with a particular focus on entering the tech industry. Kristy shares…
- Finding Balance: Developing Cohesive Environments When Faced with Adversity · 42 min · Season 1 Episode 8In this episode, Samuel Kasumu and Wendy McPherson discuss the evolving role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) in organisations. They explore the need to adapt EDI…
- Engineering a Better Future: A Woman Engineer's Journey to Leadership · 53 min · Season 1 Episode 7In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu interviews Dr. Raffaella Ocone, Vice President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and an academic leader with a…
- How Trust and Transparency Drive Board Effectiveness · 1 h 0 min · Season 1 Episode 6In this compelling episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu has an enlightening conversation with Alice Maynard, one of the most respected voices in governance and board…
- The Power of Activism in Driving Social Change: Governance & Global Leadership · 1 h 6 min · Season 1 Episode 5Join us for an eye-opening episode with global activist and leader Kumi Naidoo, former International Executive Director of Greenpeace International, Secretary General of Amnesty…
- Navigating Tech Hurdles: CTO Insights on Board Dynamics, Digital Strategy and Resilient Leadership · 54 min · Season 1 Episode 4In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu delves into the multifaceted career of Meri Williams, CTO at Pleo and a trailblazer in technology leadership across…
- Mastering The Message: Strategic Communication for Leaders · 43 min · Season 1 Episode 3In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu speaks with Nic Conner, political strategist, crisis communication expert, and co-founder of Parisi. Together, they dive…
- Building a Lasting Career: The Arup Story of Growth, Collaboration, and Inclusion · 49 min · Season 1 Episode 2As a seasoned engineer with over 40 years of experience, Dervilla has navigated the complexities of the built environment, overcoming obstacles and driving innovation along the…
- Navigating Change: Lessons from a Trailblazing Leader · 54 min · Season 1 Episode 1Mary O'Connor's background is anything but traditional. She started her career as a lawyer, working as a prosecutor and then transitioning to the UK legal landscape. Her…







