From Poverty to Privilege: Breaking Through Against the Odds

How Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL broke the mould and won in the game of business - and life.From an impoverished background and a career marked by workplace bias, abuse and inequality, Susie elevated herself to become a successful entrepreneur at 55. She’s since been invested as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles, served as an advisor to Government, taken Non-Executive Director roles at leading UK institutions, and become a champion for business across the UK.In this candid conversation, Susie reflects on her remarkable career in design, marketing, and leadership - alongside her award-winning entrepreneurial journey. She also shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her powerful book Swimming on My Own - a raw account of inequality, resilience and survival.We talk about the power of humour, values-driven leadership, and why real success isn’t about ego or volume but about showing up, keeping going, and making change with respect and humanity.