Management Meets PODCAST

Reinventing Popcorn: Brand Management & Market Strategy

In this episode of Management Meets, Katie speaks with Faye Jawad, University of Bath School of Management alumna and founder of KRNL. Having officially launched her savoury popcorn brand in July 2026, Faye went from popping kernels in her kitchen to selling out soon after launching the brand and capturing the attention food retailers and thousands online. Faye discusses the reality of wearing every operational hat as a solo founder, from hand-packing boxes to graphic design. She highlights the power of mentorship, drawing on insights from fellow School alumnus and former podcast guest, Harry Symes-Thompson. Key topics: Moving from personal recipe creation social media to commercial food production The role of peer mentorship and alumni networks in validating early-stage entrepreneurial concepts Bootstrapping vs. venture capital: strategies for stretching initial exit capital before seeking outside investment Overcoming imposter syndrome and the pressure of brand prestige when making early career choices Reimagining the healthy food marketing by pairing nutrients with aesthetic design

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Redefining Heritage

In this episode of Management Meets, Katie sits down with Carolina Catalani to discuss second-generation entrepreneurship, corporate-to-startup transitions, and brand building. Drawing from her background at Procter & Gamble and her current leadership role at Finmark, Carolina shares how she helped scale her parents' business before co-founding AVAU, a high-end fragrance house created with her siblings, which recently debuted its flagship home in Milan. The discussion highlights the practical realities of managing rapid growth within a family-owned business. Carolina discusses transitioning mindsets, pivoting from skill-based to value-based hiring, and setting strict personal boundaries to maintain productivity within a family-run business.

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Road to the World Cup

To kick off Season five of Management Meets, host Katie Calvert-Jones is reunited with Jai Shah, a Class of 2020 graduate and co-founder of Orangutan, an eSports organisation based in Mumbai. First appearing as a hungry young startup in the podcast's very first episode, Jai returns to share how his organisation has transformed into a dominant market force. From navigating industry bans to building a physical community through their eSports arena. Today, Orangutan are officially the number one ranked team in India, preparing to step onto the global stage in Paris for the eSports World Cup. Jai reflects on the human elements behind sustainable leadership and his personal commitment to family, mental health, and his work co-creating the University of Bath’s active alumni chapter in India. Listen and explore: The importance behind strict operational consistency and mental resilience How pivots create profit Lessons from building a physical space in a digital world The role of calculated risk and focus on scaling towards a household name

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Season 5 Trailer - Management Meets: The Entrepreneurial Mindset

Management Meets is back for Season 5. This season, we're exploring The Entrepreneurial Mindset—the ambition, curiosity, resilience and determination that drive people to turn ideas into reality. Drawing on the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs from the University of Bath School of Management community, we'll look beyond the businesses they've built to uncover the motivations, challenges and defining moments that shaped their journeys. From bold ideas and unexpected pivots to setbacks, successes and lessons learned, this series celebrates the people behind the ventures. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, already building something of your own, or simply fascinated by the mindset behind innovation, this season offers practical insights and inspiring conversations you won't want to miss. Episode 1 launches on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. Subscribe to Management Meets so you never miss an episode.

End of Season Special

What does it take to navigate a global career in 2026? In this Season 4 review, Host Katie Calvert Jones and Producer Becky Toogood recap the most powerful messages from founders, brand leaders and social entrepreneurs who started their journeys at the University of Bath School of Management. This episode tackles the realities of entrepreneurship, international relocation, sustainable ambition. and everything in between. Discover why global creatives are trading profit for peace and how emerging technology is reshaping conservation and commerce alike.

Financing the Future

In the Season 4 finale of Management Meets, Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert Jones are joined by MBA alumnus Martin Callow, Global Strategy Lead for The Nature Conservancy’s Nature Bonds Program. Listen and discover: The moment Martin witnessed environmental change firsthand, and how it shaped his career Why understanding finance has become essential for conservation leaders The power of networks, partnerships, and the impact of saying “yes” to opportunity

From Bath to Bollywood: A Global Creative Journey

In this episode of Management Meets, hosts Katie Calvert-Jones and Professor Steve Brammer are joined by alumnus Nishchay Gogia, founder of 1947 Productions. Nishchay reflects on his journey from Mumbai to Bath, and how his time at the School of Management shaped both his personal and professional outlook. Arriving in 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis, he shares how uncertainty, resilience, and adaptability became defining themes in his early career. From washing dishes as a student to working on some of India’s biggest television formats, including India’s Got Talent and Indian Idol, Nishchay charts his path into the creative industries, and the bold decision to launch his own production company after 17 years in the field. The conversation explores: Navigating uncertainty during global economic disruption The value of international education and cultural immersion Transitioning from corporate roles into creative industries The realities of entrepreneurship in media production Why quitting can sometimes be the right decision Balancing ambition with wellbeing Nishchay also shares insights into the future of content creation, from branded storytelling to micro-dramas, and reflects on how creativity can be nurtured within business education. A thoughtful and inspiring episode about risk, reinvention, and building a career on your own terms.

Ambition with Impact

In this episode of Management Meets, Katie Calvert-Jones speaks with Kelvin Hughes - BSc Business 2010 alumnus and founder of Picanto Partners, a consultancy helping social enterprises and mission-driven organisations scale their impact. Kelvin shares his career journey from the corporate world at Morgan Stanley, Nestlé and Unilever to leading a sanitation social enterprise in Ghana and launching his own consultancy focused on social impact. The conversation explores the challenges of measuring social value, the realities of implementing strategy in mission-driven organisations, and Kelvin’s ambitious vision to introduce mergers and acquisitions thinking to the charity and social enterprise sector. Along the way, Kelvin reflects on lessons learned from working internationally, the importance of asking questions and taking initiative, and why ambition sometimes means pursuing ideas that feel a little terrifying.

Turning Strength Into a Brand: The Journey of STÆRKE

In this episode of Management Meets, Katie speaks with international management alumna Maya Khurana, founder of STÆRKE, a Scandinavian-inspired gym accessories brand designed for women who lift. Maya shares her path after the School of Management, making the pivot from a career in tech in London to life as an entrepreneur living in Copenhagen, with a strong focus on marketing and design. Listen for an open conversation on the reality of entrepreneurism, ambition, battling burnout and more.

Ambition Abroad: Building Careers Across Countries

In this episode of the School of Management podcast, Katie sits down with Clem Grellety, Key Account Manager for Christian Dior Fragrances based in New York. Clem shares her journey from studying International Management at the University of Bath, School of Management, to building a successful global career working with top beauty brands including Michael Kors, Tom Ford, DKNY and Dior. Listen and discover the impact of international industry placements, the challenges and rewards of relocating for career growth, and how to thrive in the competitive fragrance industry.

New Year Special

Katie and In-House Producer Becky take a look back at their 2025 highlights from the Management Meets podcast.

Driving Change

In the first episode of series four, Katie sits down with Max Teichert, founder and CEO of Track Titan, an AI driver coaching startup. Max shares how studying international management at the School of Management helped him merge his passion for racing and entrepreneurship, getting him to where he is today. His formative experiences at Bath include his involvement in the British University's karting championship and two pivotal placements at Porsche's Motorsport team and a FinTech startup in Jakarta. We also take a look back at some personal favourites from previous series’, with in-house producer, Becky Toogood.

Season 4 Trailer

In series four, Management Meets is going international. Join Steve and Katie on a world tour, meeting graduates across the globe leading change and innovation in their industries. From motorsport to high-end fashion, listen along and join us on our journey to celebrate the international impact of your School of Management community.

Management in Charities

In the final episode of series three ‘Business for Good’, Katie is joined by MBA graduate, Kirsty Matthews. Kirsty is CEO of charity DFN Project Search, a UK charity enabling young adults who have a learning disability or autism spectrum condition to secure permanent employment. Listen and learn more about the external challenges facing charities, the importance of financial sustainability in the charitable sector, the potential positive impact of AI on accessibility, and the impact of DFN Project Search’s work on the individuals and host businesses involved in the internship programme.

Management in Healthcare

In this episode of 'Management Meets,' Katie and Steve talk with PhD alumna Philippa Kindon, Business Development Manager at Mayden. Mayden’s flagship product, Iaptus, supports mental health patients through providing digital technology solutions to healthcare organisations such as the NHS. Philippa discusses the evolving needs of the healthcare sector, and how Mayden’s data-driven decision-making approach, providing new offerings and acquisitions, has helped them stay ahead of the curve. The episode also touches upon the company’s flat hierarchy system and why they’ve adopted this ‘made without managers’ approach to business. To learn about the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Bath visit this page: https://www.bath.ac.uk/case-studies/knowledge-transfer-partnership-ktp-mayden/

Graduate Outcomes

In this episode of 'Management Meets,'Steve and Katie are joined by Class of 2013 BSc Economics alumnus, Xiaoyu Zhang. Xiaoyu is Global Institutional Director and Head of China at AmplifyMe. Through simulations, AmplifyMe ‘gamifies’ financial roles, making the finance industry more accessible and engaging for students worldwide. Throughout his career, Xiaoyu has been committed to helping students achieve their career goals and enhance their employability skills. Currently leading AmplifyMe’s expansion into Asia, Xiaoyu shares his insider knowledge on the variances in the graduate job market internationally, including the cultural differences between working in a corporate environment and a fast-growing entrepreneurial setting and how these factors can change what a company is looking for when recruiting. Whether you’re aspiring to enter the finance world or a mentor seeking to enhance your support, tune in to find out more about the industry and top tips to get ahead.

Community Inclusion

In this episode of Management Meets, Steve and Katie sit down with Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching on MBA Programmes, Dr. Jane Ellis-Brush, to discuss her extensive career and impact on community inclusion in the South West. Jane completed her PhD in commercial relationships at the School of Management in 1999 and has held numerous leadership roles, formerly serving as Managing Director for Citibank. We focus on Jane’s journey as co-founder of 1st Impressions, a community interest company empowering women through clothing and confidence. Jane discusses the challenges and successes of running a voluntary organisation, the importance of community inclusion, and her personal experiences leading in male-dominated industries. Listen for lessons on resilience, tenacity, and the transformative power of giving back to the community. Find out more about 1st impressions on their webpage. Further reading in this article from the School of Management - From wardrobe to workplace: helping women in need dress for interview success.

Company Culture

BSc Business alumnus and US General Manager at sustainable personal care company, Wild, Harry Symes-Thompson, discusses how his placement at HelloFresh led to becoming Wild’s first official employee, contributing to the company's rapid growth and leading their expansion into the US market. Harry explains how Wild has maintained a strong company culture through hiring practices, positive leadership and employee engagement, even as the company scales. Listen and learn more about building and sustaining a thriving company culture, the importance of employee empowerment, and the future plans for Wild’s continued growth and innovation of sustainable products.

Business for Good

In this episode of Management Meets, hosts Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome Executive MBA alumnus Hugo Adams. As CEO of sustainable packaging startup, Kelpi, Hugo shares his stories from his extensive career scaling innovative startups, including roles at The Body Shop, Kraft Foods, Dyson and SuperDry - working closely with entrepreneurs such as Anita Roddick and James Dyson. Listen and explore Kelpi's ambitions to rid the world of plastic, not forgetting the importance of a leader’s passion, values-driven company culture and sustainable practices in driving business success in today’s world. Subscribe to follow the conversation.

Season 3 Trailer

Want more from your alumni network? Management Meets is back for series three. Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome more business leaders, change-makers and entrepreneurs from the School of Management’s vibrant alumni community. In this series, we unpack themes such as company culture and business values. Tune in, subscribe and get inspired as alumni generously share their tales of success and failure in the Management Meets podcast.