The Convex Conversation

Interview with BBC Horrible Histories' Chief Nerd Greg Jenner

 
 
Greg Jenner, of Horrible Histories & You’re Dead to Me, shares how his childhood interest in toy knights & Tony Robinson’s sitcom Maid Marian and her Merry Men may have contributed to him becoming a public historian.
 
We explore the history of celebrity, discuss why comedy & history work so well together, and find out about Greg’s mission to inspire those who don’t think history is their thing to find a love for it.
 
 
 

Interview with Barnardo's CEO Javed Khan

 
Barnardo’s CEO Javed Khan talks about the devastating effect COVID has had on Britain’s vulnerable youngsters & the crippling drop in funds now faced by Britain’s leading children’s charity as a result of lockdown.
 
He warns the current children’s mental health crisis could become a catastrophe; shares his thoughts on #BlackLivesMatter & his personal experiences of racism growing up in the seventies in inner city Birmingham. He speaks about the privilege of leading Barnardo's & how his job as CEO doesn’t feel like work.
 
 

Interview with Countdown’s etymologist Susie Dent

C4 Countdown’s Susie Dent reveals how a shy lexicologist from Oxford first ended up on our screens more than 25 years ago.
She confesses to a fascination for the hot topic of swearing, shares her favourite & least favourite words and reveals the fun behind Eight of Ten Cats & recording her new podcast, Something Rhymes with Purple, with Gyles Brandreth in her kitchen.

Interview with mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington

Sir Chris Bonington has lived life on the edge. In The Convex Conversation, he talks to Helen Fospero about the draw of the beauty of the mountains, his desire to push himself to the limit on expeditions and the attraction to the risks involved. 
 
Chris describes his emotional ascent to the summit of Everest; takes us on a journey to the north face of the Eiger and gives an insight into the shy young boy from Hampstead whose life became defined by his passion for climbing. 
© Chris Bonington Picture Library
Photo by Jim Fotheringham © Chris Bonington Picture Library
 
 
Chris & Pertemba after summiting Everest 1985  © Chris Bonington Picture Library
Chris & mum  © Chris Bonington Picture Library
Chris & Wendy's wedding day 1962   © Chris Bonington Picture Library
Chris & Loreto by Paul Ross © Chris Bonington Picture Library
Chris & Ang Lhakpa on the summit of Everest 1985  © Chris Bonington Picture Library
 

Interview with Anna Jones, Co-Founder of AllBright

 
Entrepreneur Anna Jones tells us why she quit her job as CEO of a top publishing house to set up a members’ club aimed at championing women in business, networking and developing their careers.
 
A chance meeting at a party led to the formation of AllBright in the UK and in the States. 
 
The name was inspired by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who famously said: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
 

Interview with music legend Bob Harris

Music legend Bob Harris joins us from his studio ‘Under The Apple Tree’.
 
He reminisces about happy times with John Lennon in New York, being on tour with Queen in Vegas, and friendships with Robert Plant, Marc Bolan, Sir Elton John & Sir Alex Ferguson. 
 
He also reveals how doctors saved his distinctive voice, loved by millions, during life-saving treatment for an aortic tear.
 
And Whispering Bob shares favourite tracks from The Shires and Elles Bailey. 

Interview with blind entrepreneur & adventurer Amar Latif

Blind entrepreneur and TV presenter Amar Latif talks about his life and how blindness has helped him see the world. 
 
Amar’s passion for travel has taken him to more than 100 countries. He’s clocked up half a million miles including trekking through inhospitable jungles & shark infested waters in Nicaragua, and reaching the summit of North Africa’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal. 
 
He set up the world’s first tour operator for blind and sighted travellers. 
 

Interview with Stephen Catlin, CEO & Chairman of Convex

Convex CEO & Chairman Stephen Catlin gives a personal insight into his life as an insurance underwriter & entrepreneur. 
He shares stories from his childhood; his youth in the seventies; becoming a ‘scratch boy’ for Lloyd’s of London despite his mum’s misgivings about his suitability for an office job; his passion for the great outdoors, and his excitement at starting all over again with a blank sheet of paper & long-term investment at Convex. 
 
 
 
 

Interview with paralysed motivational speaker Claire Lomas MBE

When Claire Lomas was paralysed in a riding accident, she remembers thinking in her darkest days how dull life would be. In our Convex Conversation she reveals how wrong she was. Claire talks about the extraordinary challenges she’s taken on, not least of them becoming a mum against the odds. She’s raised more than three quarters of a million pounds for spinal research, including for The Nicholls’ Spinal Injury Foundation. She races motorbikes; skis; walks marathons in a bionic suit & is learning to fly.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Interview with Squadron Leader Martin Pert of The Red Arrows

In our debut Convex Conversation, Perty reveals the challenges of being Red One; the extraordinary trust that exists between the pilots & engineers; a close shave on frontline duties in Afghanistan and why The Queen has a photo of him in her handbag! 
I hope you enjoy our podcast – we'd love you to share Red One’s story with friends and family.
 
 
 
 
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