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Throughout history, entrepreneurs have stepped up in times of crisis. Over the coming weeks and months, we'll be talking (remotely) to inventors, creators and organisers who are responding to the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19 in the only way they know how – by achieving seemingly impossible goals to help nation and world in their hour of need.

All articles

“A brilliant professional looks like this…”

Baroness McGregor-Smith CBE - Chief Executive , Mitie Group

FTSE 250 chief executive and chartered accountant, Baroness McGregor-Smith, on what she looks for in her advisers…

The future’s bright for accountants – but only if they bin their old textbooks

Helen Brand OBE - Chief Executive , ACCA

What will the world need from its accountants in the future? Well, ACCA’s report might suggest that if accountants stick only to traditional finances, then they could soon be made redundant and replaced by a combination of young multiskilled upstarts and computer programmes…

“I remember thinking the whole industry was so boring” – How Mishcon de Reya became the coolest law firm…

Kevin Gold - Managing Partner , Mishcon de Reya

There’s something undeniably cool about Mishcon de Reya. This is impressive, given that many law firms are less cool than a Star Trek convention in Slough. So the BDLN met with Managing Partner Kevin Gold to find out more…

How do you halve your lock-up? Simple…Axe credit control.

David Beech - CEO , Knights

How do you get paid faster? It’s a question that any business worth its salt should ask itself loudly and often. But, the average practice’s lock-up remains at around 150 days. So what’s going wrong and how can firms get in cash quicker? The answer, according to David Beech, is simple…axe credit control.

Leadership lessons from a woman at the top: An interview with Lesley Gregory, chairman of Memery Crystal

Lesley Gregory - Chairman , Memery Crystal

The idea of a woman heading up a UK law firm shouldn’t be a big deal. But even today there is a miniscule number of women compared to men sitting at the top of corporate organisations. One pioneer who provides inspiration for all ambitious professionals is Lesley Gregory, chairman at Memery Crystal…

From IQ to EQ: what this tectonic shift means for professional services

Mike Cullen - Ex-Managing Partner for Talent , EY

The rules that existed for generations have been ripped up. Mike Cullen argues that firms and individual professionals must respond appropriately….

Dragons’ Den’s Jenny Campbell: “If people lack self-belief, energy and attitude, you won’t believe in them.”

Jenny Campbell - Entrepreneur & Investor , Dragons' Den

CLIC meets Jenny Campbell to hear all about her incredible journey from banker to entrepreneur to dragon…

Why law firms are shooting themselves in the foot

Paul Smith - Global Chairman , Eversheds Sutherland

BDLN meets the Sheriff of Clientsville…Paul Smith, global chairman of Eversheds Sutherland

You’re fired! But can I have a 50% stake in your business, please?

Susie Ma - Founder , Tropic

How Susie Ma used her appearance on The Apprentice as a catalyst to become one of the UK’s most successful young female entrepreneurs

Six business lessons you need to succeed…

Keith Bradshaw - Founder , Listers

Former accountant Keith Bradshaw, 74, is one of Britain’s most prolific and successful entrepreneurs. Here are Keith’s top six business insights…

“Son, why don’t you just get a job?”

Ingvar Gudmundsson - Founder , SimplyBook.Me.

How Ingvar Gudmundsson ignored his Mum – and kept fighting during the wilderness years – to build a dotcom powerhouse…

“How my family’s South London cash-and-carry inspired me to build a multimillion-pound tech start-up”

Vishal Marria - Founder , Quantexa

As a child in his parent’s humble shop, Vishal Marria, learned big lessons that have been fundamental to the success of his company, Quantexa…

Against all odds: The man who built a hotel empire from nothing but a dream and an iron will…

Surinder Arora - Founder & Owner , Arora Hotels

In the pantheon of British entrepreneurs to have navigated enormous, spirit-crushing roadblocks to turn their dreams into reality, one pushing for kingpin status is 58-year-old Surinder Arora – founder, owner and chairman of Arora Hotels. We spoke to him about his fascinating journey…

How a desperate 30-second chat with Boris Johnson on a London roundabout won Richard Corbett the multimillion-dollar deal of his life

Richard Corbett - Founder , Eyetease

Rarely is your future either made or broken by a chance 30-second chat with a stranger you’ve accosted. Especially when that stranger is Boris Johnson, the then London Mayor, who has no idea who you are or why you’re talking to him…

5 questions you must answer if you think you’ve got what it takes to launch your own firm

Do you dream of setting up your own professional services firm? We spoke to five lawyers who’ve done just that to find out just what it takes…

Six ways to stand out in a crowded market

David Kendrick - Partner , UHY Hacker Young

UHY partner, David Kendrick, has made Accountancy Age’s ‘35 Under 35’ list this year. This illustrious list celebrates the best young talent in finance, and David has earned his place here by establishing himself as an automotive sector expert. He tells us exactly how he’s done it…

Raising the stakes: how investment issues are affecting the retail leisure sector…

Richard Kleiner - CEO , Gerald Edelman

As the retail leisure sector comes under increased scrutiny from investors, Richard Kleiner, CEO of Gerald Edelman and non-executive chairman of newly-floated Comptoir Group, spoke to the BDLN about his concerns that management teams are sometimes being backed into a corner…

Complacency kills: change before you have to

Peter Scott - Former Managing Partner , Eversheds

Individuals and firms who resist or ignore change will wither and die, says Peter Scott, former Managing Partner of Eversheds…

Why we’re obsessed with listening to the market

Helen Brand OBE - Chief Executive , ACCA

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, on her association’s success and what firms must do to attract the best talent…

The secrets of becoming a sector guru

John Graydon - Partner , Saffery Champness

TV and film specialist John Graydon on what it takes to reach the summit in a chosen sector…

Let your passion – and your clients – be your guides

Phil Mullis - Partner , Wilkins Kennedy

Phil Mullis, partner at accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy LLP, shares the 5 biggest career lessons he’s learned…

Why the professional services industry must change

John Maffioli - Founder , BDLN

BDLN founder John Maffioli on why most firms are a long way from achieving their full potential…

Is KPMG in danger of “brand dilution and reputational risk”?

We discuss the potential of KPMG’s new accountancy software with partners from five accountancy firms …

KPMG: Why every accountancy firm should worry about Google

Iain Moffatt - Head of Enterprise , KPMG

KPMG’s decision to launch a service for SMEs stems from a dramatic vision of where the industry is heading…

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