The Convex Conversation

 
The Princess of Wales believed young people have the power to change the world. Alex Holmes talks about Diana’s legacy and how the only charity set up in her memory is continuing her work.
 
Alex suffered severe racial bullying as a young boy and, thanks to his award-winning efforts, there are now more than 35,000 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors in the UK & Europe. Alex sits on the board of the Gates Foundation & was the first person in the UK to receive a Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award.

 
Jay Flynn shares with Helen how his idea to host a virtual pub quiz for his mates in lockdown took off overnight & led to more than 180,000 households across Britain uniting.
 
Jay has broken a world record for the number of participants; is a regular on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 breakfast show & has been joined on the quiz by Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross & other celebrities. He’s also raised more than a £1 million pounds for charities including Connections which helped him get his life back on track when he was homeless for two years in London. 

 
Karen Gibson MBE tells Helen how life for The Kingdom Choir changed after 2 billion people watched them perform at Harry & Meghan’s wedding.  
 
The unexpected call on the 87 bus & stunning performance at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, has led to tours of the US, Australia & UK; appearances at The Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, Invictus Games, a recording deal with Sony & to singing with legends like Barbra Streisand & Gladys Knight.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
On August 20 2011, RAF Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging lost his life whilst completing a display at Bournemouth Air Festival. 
 
Dr Emma Egging shares the inspirational story of how she started the Jon Egging Trust ten years ago to realise her husband Jon’s dream of inspiring youngsters through his love of aviation, teamwork & leadership, empowering them to achieve without limits. 
 
JET has helped more than 30,000 young people to overcome adversity & reach their full potential and aims to help 1 million over the next decade.
 
 
 

Loraine Martins OBE has spent the last eight years gradually making positive change at Network Rail to ensure their 43,731 strong staff come from all walks of life & feel valued in their work.
 
Loraine - who played a key role in developing London’s Olympic Park - talks about growing up in London with her Jamaican parents; tells stories which reveal where her great sense of social justice comes from, and gives inspirational advice on how to make a difference in ED&I.

Wing Commander David Montenegro OBE - Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – chats to Helen about the Reds’ role on the world stage & the images he’ll never forget of the G7 leaders captivated by their display.
 
Monty talks about the innovative work going on with students & industry to develop a sustainable synthetic fuel mix for the iconic red, white & blue smoke; shares the thoughts that went through his mind as he made history leading the team into China & reveals the split-second decisions which saved his life when he & his synchro teammate clipped each other as they flew their Hawks towards each other at a closing speed of 800mph.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back on Scotland’s beautiful Isle of Harris, Helen meets Apothecary Amanda Saurin & finds out how she creates her natural skincare range as well as botanicals for drinks companies using flowers, bark, blossom, roots, moss - everything “Mother Nature’s larder” has to offer.
Amanda - who founded the small batch distiller A.S Apothecary - is also a homeopath & distiller and drew on her knowledge of healing to play an unexpected & much appreciated role in the pandemic, helping nurses, frontline workers, care home staff & many more. 

 
Anderson ‘Burr’ Bakewell fell in love with the rare & elusive spirit of the beautiful, remote Isle of Harris & pondered how one could bottle the island & share it with the world.
 
Shona Macleod – one of the first members of staff at the Isle of Harris Distillery – reveals how the distillery came about with a focus on providing employment for the community & describes how that spirit is captured in Harris Gin & will be in The Hearach, their first legal dram, when it’s ready.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Inspired by his brother-in-law’s battle with dementia, Frank Rothwell explains why he took on the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic race alone, aged 70, arriving early after 56 days at sea. 
 
Frank raised more than a million pounds for Alzheimer’s Research UK & hopes it will make a difference supporting the charity's scientists in their quest to find ground-breaking ways of treating the disease many years before symptoms show. 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Chris Floyd takes us on a wander through his photographic archives - both film & digital - sharing stories behind the portraits he's taken of some of the world's most famous artists, musicians & actors. 
Chris's images of The Verve; David Hockney; Damian Hirst; Sir Paul McCartney; Oasis; Adrian Lester; Dame Sheila Hancock; Paul Weller; Naomi Watts; Olivia Colman; John Lee Hooker; Iggy Pop & Robert de Niro - to name but a few - have graced the covers of magazines over the last two decades. And recently Chris was invited to Kensington Palace to photograph Willliam & Kate for their tenth wedding anniversary. 
Photograph of Chris by Berit von Enoch

Katie Nicholl gives a fascinating insight into 15 years of life as a Royal commentator & a look at what’s going on behind the Prince Harry headlines. 
 
She shares her thoughts on Harry’s latest revelations of wanting to break the cycle of “genetic pain” & explores the rift with the Princes. Katie talks about the very modern future of the Monarchy with the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge leading the way & lets us in on the amusing tack Prince William uses to make people feel at ease in his presence.

 
Sarah Wood shares the remarkable story of how she co-founded the global video advertising marketplace ‘Unruly’ with her husband knowing little about the tech world yet sold to News Corp, just nine years & a lot of hard work later for £114 million!
 
Sarah was running late on the day of the 7/7 bombings in London, narrowly missing the terrorist attacks. That moment led to her reassessing life, leaving academia behind & finding the courage to take the plunge as an entrepreneur. 

Helen discovers how polymetallic nodules lying at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean could be the answer to making more sustainable batteries to power electric vehicles.
 
The four metals needed are in abundance in the rocks. The Metals Company CEO & environmentalist Gerard Barron explains the work his scientists are doing & the benefits of extraction from the seabed over deep land mining which is destroying rain forests, causing massive CO2 emissions & displacing communities.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Diane is one of America's leading business women - a senior executive & board member at Bye Aerospace, at the cutting edge of the the design & production of the world's first all-electric aeroplanes.
She explains how writing an honest, raw account based on her journals about the trials & triumphs of breast cancer treatment has helped her heal & reveals she's found a new self & purpose on the other side.
 

 
Alastair Campbell – writer, strategist & famous for being former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Director of Communications – talks openly & frankly about his long battle with depression & the techniques he’s discovered to help him cope.
 
He also reveals why, after more than four decades together, he’s finally tied the knot in a civil partnership with Fiona Millar; his life-long passion for Burnley Football Club & his love of playing the bagpipes.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Toby Foxcroft coached some of the world’s top tennis stars, working alongside US tennis legend Nick Bollettieri.
In this week’s Convex Conversation, Toby explains how he uses lessons learned during his time in elite sport to mentor international business leaders.
He also shares an unexpected friendship with Muhammad Ali & talks about his involvement with the Coalition of Hope which aims to use two decommissioned aircraft carriers to help with humanitarian crises & natural disasters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Storms with waves up to 10 metres high; extreme sleep deprivation; military rations & painful injuries – all in a day at sea for four extraordinary young Marines who spent 49 days, 19 hours & 45 minutes rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. 
 
Afghanistan veterans Juniour Mcilhiney & Will Schweppe teamed up with serving Marines David Bruce & Sam Edwards to raised tens of thousands for The Royal Marines Charity under The Cockleshell Endeavour banner.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When Dan Parry-Williams told his careers teacher he wanted to design racing cars, he was handed leaflets about banking & the legal profession. 
But, inspired by growing up listening to the "angry sound of bees" from Brands Hatch at the bottom of his garden, Dan pursued his dream & shares incredible stories of being the chief designer of McLaren's iconic & limited-production P1 as well as other impressive supercars. 

 
Reza shares some of his extreme adventures & reveals what drives him to tell untold stories – often putting his life at risk to do so - in the world’s most dangerous places.
 
Indigenous tribes whose lives & cultures have remained unchanged for centuries but whose reliance on nature is making them vulnerable in today’s modern world are often at the heart of Reza’s films as he takes viewers on extraordinary journeys.
 
Reza is a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society.
 
Images by @simonbuxton & @nomadmark
 
 

As Lara celebrates ten years as a tech journalist & co-presenter of the BBC's flagship technology programme Click, she explains her passion for how innovation can change lives for the better.
 
Lara reveals the initial challenges of being 'on air' from home, the fact she's head of tech in her family life & laughs about being called Mrs MSE by her husband, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Horatio’s Garden is named after 17-year-old Horatio Chapple who dreamt of becoming a doctor. He realised there was nowhere for spinal injury patients to go to begin to come to terms with their life-changing injuries when he volunteered at an NHS unit in Salisbury. 
 
Horatio’s vision has been brought to life by his mother Olivia & his father David – a spinal surgeon – along with friends & family, after he was killed on a summer camp to Svalbard in an attack by a polar bear. 
 
This is a story of unbelievable courage & hope, borne out of the most appalling tragedy. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Celebrities Rob Brydon & Rory Bremner got behind an extraordinary campaign to save a RDA stables in Teddington from closure. Park Lane Stables helps disabled riders, youngsters with difficulties, able-bodied riders & basically makes riding accessible for all. 
People power & a heart warming appeal saved the day. Ten of thousands of small donations flooded in & even Her Majesty The Queen was so touched she's invited 12 people from the stables to visit her horses.
Main photo: Rebekah Morgan

 
In part two of our podcast, Rory reveals his affection & admiration for Prince Charles & HRH's keen sense of humour. 
 
He talks about his gratitude to legendary broadcaster the late Sir Terry Wogan for his first break on TV; his patronage of conservation charity Tusk including his escape from the paparazzi to Africa during his honeymoon & explains candidly how his ADHD is both friend & foe.

 
In this week's podcast, Helen encounters Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, President Biden and a plethora of famous faces as she chats to impressionist Rory Bremner, well-known and well-loved for political satire.
Rory shares how recently released National Archives have revealed his spoof calls to former PM John Major's backbench rebels may have helped keep him in Downing Street & explains how he develops voices in the hope of eventually inhabiting the character he's taking off. 

Trevor Robinson OBE is the man behind some of the UK's most successful ad campaigns. Think Haribo, Pot Noodles & You've Been Tangoed! He reminisces about growing up on a rough estate in London where riots & racism were rife & reveals how he went on to become one of the most respected talents in advertising.  
Trevor has relaunched his Create Not Hate campaign following the murder of George Floyd to champion diversity in his industry, open up opportunities & prepare teenagers for the racism they're sadly still likely to face.
 
 
 

 
Maria Kempinska helped launch the careers of many of today’s top comedians including Rory Bremner, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton & Lee Mack.
 
She gave up her own dreams of performing on stage to open her first club in 1983 where many of them got their first break. Maria shares stories of the challenges of life in comedy & how humour is a vital part in her work as a psychotherapist.
 

 
The Apprentice & Countdown star Nick Hewer talks about stepping down from C4’s popular afternoon quiz-show after a decade at the helm.
 
Nick shares surprising & amusing stories from his autobiography ‘My Alphabet – A Life From A-Z’ including working with Lord Sugar; eye watering adventures on the 12,000-km Mongol Rally in a battered Renault 4; his passion for tractors & old bangers & plans for his new best friend Molly, the Labrador pup.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Ruben Tabares - one of the world’s most sought-after health & wellness gurus - offers simple & achievable goals to help us all get & stay fit.
 
Ruben shares incredible stories of training former World Heavyweight Boxing champion David Haye to victory; getting Hollywood actor Jeremy Piven in shape for romantic scenes in Mr Selfridge & talks about the pleasure of working with stars like Tinie Tempah, P Diddy, Naomi Watts & Dina Asher-Smith.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lorraine Kelly talks about the privilege of broadcasting throughout the pandemic & the importance of keeping the nation's spirits up even when she felt low & anxious at times. 
 
Lorraine chats about her incredible 35 years in the industry; the major stories she’s covered; the celebrities she’s interviewed & laughs about her appearance on C4’s The Last Leg & the fallout when she named ITV's Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan her hero.
 
 
 
 

 
Chef Tom Kerridge calls for a Ministry for Hospitality to help the industry get back on its feet after the pandemic & an end to politicians calling low-paid workers "low-skilled".
 
Tom & Helen discuss their shared passion for saving Britain's pubs, subject of his latest BBC2 series, & Tom reveals how providing meals for exhausted NHS staff when his businesses like two Michelin starred The Hand and Flowers closed has led to him forming a charity cooking for the elderly & vulnerable.   
 
 
 
 
 

Andrew Ritchie MBE shares the fascinating story of how he invented the now iconic folding Brompton Bicycle 45 years ago in his bedroom overlooking London’s Brompton Oratory. 
 
Whip rounds from friends got him started & set him off on what he describes as a perilous journey at times, but which resulted in his award-winning bike being used & loved all over the world, revolutionising city travel. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
As Tusk celebrates 30 years as one of the world’s leading conservation charities, Charlie Mayhew says having Prince William as a Royal patron from the early days has been of immense value to conservation in general & the projects Tusk supports. 
 
Charlie shares his personal story of how he started out at Lloyd's of London, fell in love with Africa after hearing stories of life in the Bush from his aunt & uncle, & explains how what started as almost a hobby has developed over the last three decades, providing protection for endangered wildlife & much needed support for communities. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Cleo Rocos, who shot to fame starring alongside comedy legend Kenny Everett in the eighties, tells Helen about growing her award-winning tequila brand from scratch including trips to Mexico working in the fields with the jimadores on the agave harvest.
 
Cleo also reminisces about life on set with Kenny; their close friendship & secret fun times with Queen's Freddie Mercury & Princess Diana who loved to quote sketches from the BBC primetime show.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
In this week’s Convex Conversation, actor & man of Kent Neil Stuke talks about his roles in everything from Silk & Dr Foster to Silent Witness, Dr Who & Game On.
 
He also shares his passion for community & saving the great British pub; his love of art, architecture & design, & reveals how an early morning cold swim in the sea off the Kent coast kick starts his day! 
 
Cover photograph by Liam Duke
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
In this week’s Convex Conversation, Hilary Evans talks about the pioneering research the charity is leading to find effective treatments for Alzheimer’s. Digital fingerprints could lead to early detection and treatments years before symptoms even show.
 
Actor & supporter Samuel L Jackson speaks movingly about how he & his family have been affected by dementia & gives us an insight into the disease & how it takes hold.  
 
 
 
 

John takes us on a culinary journey to some of the incredible places he’s visited & the dishes he’s brought back to share in his beautiful cookery books. Middle Eastern & North African food are a favourite & John’s cooking films have inspired many on Instagram.  
 
He also talks about his experiences in Gaza for The World Food Programme which supports millions of refugees. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Crystal is responsible for social media for Google UK, at just 30, her contribution to the tech & media world has already been recognised in a series of awards.
Crystal shares her leadership style; the secrets to driving positive change by being 'more pirate' & reveals she's writing a book of things she wished she'd known when she started in the industry. 

American-born sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld gives a fascinating insight into how she creates her public sculptures - some of which are five metres high - in materials like white Italian marble & bronze.
Helaine talks about her extraordinary life from growing up in New York; studying under Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine who after admiring her early work, expected her to be a man, to living in England with her husband & sons & working in her studio in Pietrasanta in Tuscany.
Taking Risks image with Helaine by Henryk Hetflaisz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Adil Ray, of Good Morning Britain & Citizen Khan fame, talks about his upcoming film with Dame Judi Dench; the joys of live broadcasting on ITV & Lingo - the new word game he’s hosting.
 
Mr Khan makes a welcome appearance, as Helen & Adil explore his early days growing up in Birmingham; the surprise discovery he’s related to the Bugandan royal family & his fascination with socks! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Personal trainer Patrick Hutchinson made headlines all over the world when an unforgettable photograph of him carrying a far-right protestor to safety during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London went viral.
 
Patrick tells Helen how his life changed that day. 
 
His unexpected notoriety has given him & his friends a platform to set up UTCAI – United To Change And Inspire – aimed at overcoming injustice & prejudice, & championing equality for all.
 
#BLM protest image by Dylan Martinez, Reuters
Portraits by Chris Floyd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh describes the harsh dangers & absolute beauty of swimming in a glacial river under the ice sheet in Antarctica in just his Speedos to highlight the devastating effects of climate change.
 
Lewis explains how all of our futures will be determined by the polar regions which are melting at a frightening rate. He continues to push himself to the absolute limit to encourage global leaders & policy makers to be courageous & take the urgent action that’s needed – now.
 
Photographs by Kelvin Trautman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Camille talks about the challenges & joys of transforming the Docklands wasteland of the early nineties into a stunning city within a city.
 
She also shares her love of art which she’s brought to the Canary Wharf estate; discusses the importance of women at senior levels; talks about the drive & determination she believes she got from her father & laughs about her well-known dislike of holidays! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Neil gives a fascinating insight into what it's like flying advanced trauma medics to the scene of critical incidents including stabbings, shootings & road accidents in the capital. 
London has one of the world's most complex & crowded airspaces and the aim is to take the hospital to the roadside to deliver life-saving care for patients like Yair & Victoria who we hear from in this week's Convex Conversation.
 
 

 
Former Communard, vicar of Finedon, co-presenter of BBC's Saturday Live, musician, writer & Twitter lover Richard Coles shares stories from his youth, his days as an accidental pop star & life as a vicar. 
 
Richard also talks about coping with grief after the unexpected loss of the love of his life and reveals he’s "standing up & facing forward". 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Dee shares remarkable stories from her six circumnavigations of the globe. She earned a place in the record books & an MBE for being the first woman to go solo the ‘wrong’ way, against prevailing winds & currents, inspired by Sir Chay Blyth. 
 
Dee talks frankly about life alone in some of the most hostile waters & conditions; learning to live with herself 24/7; the beauty & power of nature; devastating plastic pollution & the leadership skills she’s developed as a skipper. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Ben shares his extraordinary business journey. He started out selling sandwiches & opened his first café more than 20 years ago with his brother Hugo, hence the name ‘Benugo’.  
He talks to Helen about the ups & downs of growing his business into a £100-million-pound empire, the challenges of being in some of Britain’s most prestigious museums & galleries including the V&A, & the importance of Benugo culture. 
 

 
 
Helen chats with former UK Special Forces operative Ollie Ollerton from Channel Four's reality show SAS : Who Dares Wins.
Ollie talks frankly about the battles he's been determined to overcome, including a vicious & traumatic attack when he was a young boy & shares how he uses his own extreme personal & military experiences to help others turn their lives around through his organisation, Break-Point. 

 
Helen chats to Gethin Jones about his time on Celebrity MasterChef 2020 including his surprise departure at the final stages.
 
Gethin also talks about presenting on The One Show & Radio 2, his Blue Peter audition & the autism foundation he’s set up inspired by his nephew. And he attempts to teach Helen some Welsh! 
 

 
Presenter & journalist Penny Smith chats about her career in live broadcasting, her passion for opera & theatre, and shares the five things she can’t live without!
 
She also reveals the terrifying moment she found herself on the wrong end of a submachine gun and feared her time was up. 
 

 
Helen meets refugee Eid Aljazairli & hears about his extraordinary escape from war torn Syria at the hands of smugglers & the moment he feared he would drown at sea when the small wooden boat he was in collapsed.
Despite being a non-swimmer when he left his family in Damascus, Eid is now training for Tokyo 2021 where he hopes to compete as a swimmer for the Olympic Refugee Team & is a financial intern at Convex.
 
 
 
 
 
 

One of Britain’s favourite actors Amanda Redman chats to Helen about how the devastating burns accident she had as a child inspired her to come up with a new plotline for ITV drama The Good Karma Hospital; reminisces about happy times on the set of New Tricks with Dennis Waterman, Alun Armstrong & James Bolam & shares her passion for her drama school. 
 

 
Gyles shares with Helen everything from his friendships with Dame Judi Dench and Mrs Thatcher to his relationship with the Royal family.
 
He keeps his synapses supple by reciting poetry & talks about the podcast series he does with Countdown’s etymologist Susie Dent on their shared passion for words.
 

 
 
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.
 
 
 

 
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.
 
 

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.

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
 

 
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.”
 

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. 

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. 
 

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. 
 
 
 
 

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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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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