Jazz Shapers

Michelle Feeney is the Founder and CEO of Floral Street, a British fragrance brand. In the last episode of the current series, Michelle joins Elliot to chat about leading MAC cosmetics to become the world’s biggest make-up brand and how Floral Street's aiming to do everything differently, from making recyclability and sustainability the core of their brand and challenging the use of sexuality to sell scents. 

Hidde Hoogcarspel is the Founding and Managing Partner at early-stage venture capital fund DFF Ventures, and the co-founder of SpaceBuzz Foundation, giving children a virtual ‘space travel’ experience. Hidde joins Elliot to talk about how his friendship with a Dutch astronaut shaped his vision and business ethos to make our life on Earth more sustainable

John Ramsay is the founder of Social Ability, a health-tech company dedicated to revolutionising care through joyful, interactive, light-based activities. John joins Elliot to talk about how the experience, aged 12,  of caring for his father when he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, led him to transform the way we think about dementia care - not as something clinical and routine, but human, joyful, and deeply creative. 

As the music world pays tribute to Kanya King following her death at the age of 57, this is another chance to hear the founder and "visionary" of the Mobo Awards taking with Elliot Moss on Jazz Shapers with Mishcon de Reya in 2014.

Abigail Tan is the CEO of St Giles Hotel Group and founder of the Hotels with Heart Foundation, a charity giving back to local communities. Abigail joins Elliot to talk about how her childhood obsession with hotels grew into a drive to have a positive impact on the communities surrounding them, by housing rough sleepers in her hotels and offering training and support finding employment in the industry.

Amelia Miller is the co-founder of ivee, an AI upskilling and talent network.  Amelia joins Elliot to talk about how her mother's struggle to regain her old position on the career ladder (after leaving work to raise 3 children) inspired her to create ivee and build an AI fluent network.

Mahdi Yahya is the founder and CEO of Ori Industries, an AI compute company and he's the President of Radiant, the first fully integrated AI infrastructure platform. Mahdi joins Elliot to talk about building the invisible layer between artificial intelligence and the physical world, and what it takes to flourish in a business operating 'on the edge of chaos.'

Emily Lui is the co- founder of Cutter & Squidge, the bakery and gifting brand. Emily joins Elliot to talk about her and her sister's drive to build something bigger than them, and why, (having been dropped by Selfridges and Harrods) they put their last savings into the business and kept going. 

Author and Baptist Minister Steve Chalke MBE is founder of the Oasis Trust, a UK charity dedicated to building inclusive local communities. Steve joins Elliot to share why - aged 14 - he told his mum he was going to become a minister and set up a school, a hostel and a hospital.   And what happened when he set out to make that a reality.

Rob Abrahams and Rob Green are the co-founders of COAT, the climate positive paint company. Rob and Rob join Elliot to talk about how it feels when your grandmother invests in your company and why they believe they're not actually building a paint brand.

Inventor and author William Kamkwamba, and serial entrepreneur Tom Rielly are the co-founders of Moving Windmills Project, an NGO empowering young change-makers in rural Malawi. William and Tom join Elliot to talk about William's incredible journey from being been forced - aged 14 - to drop out of school during a famine, and how his attempts to solve his family’s problems by building his own windmill,  led to his story being adapted into a book, a film and now a musical theatre show.

Radha Vyas is the co-founder of Flash Pack, the adventure travel company for like-minded solo travellers.  Radha joins Elliot to chat about the life-changing impact of a viral selfie in Brazil and how, despite near bankruptcy (when the pandemic forced their business into administration) they managed to start Flash Pack all over again.

Elliot speaks to legendary musician, producer and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart and serial entrepreneur and investor Dominic Joseph, co-founders of Rare Entity, a venture-builder dedicated to creating game-changing ventures that shape culture and protect artists and creators. Dave and Dom chat to Elliot about fame, trust, collaborating and what it means to try and make beautiful meaningful things.   

Priya Downes is the founder of Nudea, a B Corp certified underwear brand creating underwear and sleepwear from natural and recycled materials. Priya joins Elliot to talk about being drawn towards work with a bigger meaning' and the joy of shaping a brand to the values that matter to you.  

David Benigson is the co-founder and CEO of Signal AI, a reputation and risk intelligence company. David joins Elliot for a special Jazz Shapers Encore, returning to the show to talk about the next stage of Artificial intelligence and to share what he feels are the most useful skills for children to develop.

Kathleen Saxton is the founder of The Lighthouse Company, a leadership headhunting firm, and co-founder of Psyched Ventures, a coaching and psychotherapy business. Kathleen joins Elliot to share how the fight in her helped her overcome the impacts of becoming homeless aged 11. And she talks about her love for connecting with and understanding others.

Will Pearson is the co-founder of Ocean Bottle, a company dedicated to enabling individuals around the world to make a global impact on ocean plastic. Will joins Elliot to talk about how witnessing the side effects of plastic consumption while working as a deck-hand in the Indian ocean, led him to co-launch a business where each reusable water bottle sold, funds the collection of 1000 ocean-bound plastic bottles. 

Jonathan Simmons is the co-founder of digital agency Zone, co-founder of experiences marketplace Yuup and CEO of NPC - New Philanthropy Capital - a think-tank and consultancy helping philanthropists. Jonathan joins Elliot to talk about how although there's a culture of giving in the UK, there needs to be a culture of talking about it

Matt Harris is the Founder of Thunderbird Chicken (the fried chicken restaurant), Stripshack, (it's baby sister), and the pickle brand, Pickle Project. Matt joins Elliot to share how his dream of a professional motorsport career led to a scholarship to race NASCAR in the US and an obsessive scientific approach to recreating the fried chicken he loved in the Southern states.   

The brand new season of Jazz Shapers kicks off with guest Louise Hill,  the Founder of GoHenry, the money app helping kids learn to earn, save, spend and invest.  Louise joins Elliot to share how she created not just a business, but a whole new category of business,  and how GoHenry's 5 year campaign has led to financial education officially becoming part of the primary school curriculum in England from 2028.

For the last Jazz Shapers of the season, Elliot is joined by James Hirst, the Co-Founder and COO of Tyk, an API Management Platform on a mission to connect every system in the world. James joins Elliot to talk about leaping on the internet's potential and the joy and surprise of developing your ideas with a global community.

Dr Mick Donegan, MBE, is the Founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, a charity helping people with severe physical disabilities access and enjoy technology for leisure, creativity and communication. Dr Mick joins Elliot to chat about the very moving impact of this life-changing work and the battles won to make it possible. 

David Mansfield is the ex-CEO of Capital Radio and the creator of The Monday Revolution, aiming to help you seize control of your business life. David joins Elliot to talk about his journey from being the worst chocolate salesman in the UK to building Capital Radio into a multimillion-pound company, and the  'privilege' of  helping people reach their potential.

Renée Elliot is the founder of Planet Organic, the UK’s first organic supermarket. Renée joins Elliot to talk about the shock realisation that changed her life and the impact of getting pushed out of her own company and then returning to rescue it from administration

Oli Broom is the Founder of The Slow Cyclist, a cycle tour operator leading adventures across Europe and Africa. Oli joins Elliot to share how he left his uninspiring desk job in London, to cycle 28,000 km (over 14 months) to Brisbane,  to watch the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia. And how this life-changing adventure led to a belief that great travel experiences mean taking the time to get to know a place.

Alice Wainwright and Ben Charalambous are the co-founders of RISE, a B Corp certified coffee subscription club. Alice and Ben join Elliot to share how frustration (during lockdown) at the lack of sustainable, ethical coffee options led them to launch their own multi-brand business, as well as their 'Friendly Coffee Fund', supporting coffee-growing communities in Uganda.

Lisa and Alana Macfarlane are founders of The Gut Stuff, a multi-industry platform democratising gut health education. The former DJ's join Elliot to chat about how taking part in Twin research with Professor Tim Spector, led them on a mission to shake up the confusing, elitist communication around gut health and make it accessible and fun.

Ben Branson, Founder of Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit; and the Founder of Pollen Projects, a venture studio that have so far created Seasn, (a range of cocktail bitters) and Sylva (a distillery and maturation lab making non-alcoholic spirits from trees).  Ben is also the Founder of neurodiversity charity The Hidden 20%.

Ryan Edwards is the Founder and CEO of Audoo, a music technology company, tracking the music played in public spaces so artists and songwriters are paid fairly.  Ryan joins Elliot to talk about the soul destroying impact of his band being dropped after coming off stage to 80,000 people, and how hearing his band's song in a department store led Ryan to launch a now global company backed by Paul McCartney and Elton John.

Amelia Christie-Miller is the Founder and CEO of Bold Bean Co. on a mission to make people obsessed with beans.  Amelia joins Elliot to talk about the hangover in Madrid that led to a game-changing moment and how (she says) beans can change the world!

Kimberlee Perry is the founder and CEO of Bouncefitbody, the resistance-based fitness class company. Kimberlee shares with Elliot how loneliness (and a missed promotion at work) led her to buy 8 second-hand trampolines and launch her now global business. 

Nick Hird is the Co-founder & Managing Director of Vidrate, the natural hydration supplements, created to help you drink more water. Nick joins Elliot to talk about his drive to create a hydration product that wasn't loaded with sugar, calories and artificial ingredients despite 30 factories telling them their ‘holy grail’ was impossible to create.

Serial entrepreneur Heather Frankham is the Founder of Lifetime Training, (an apprenticeship provider) and Origin Workspace (a co-working space), as well as the co-founder of Bud, an apprenticeship management company. Heather joins Elliot to share the make or break moment while growing her first business, and her drive to connect with people and make a positive impact on their lives.

Sidney Neuhaus is the co-founder of Kimai, the lab-grown diamond jewellery brand. Sidney joins Elliot to share how she's disrupting an industry that for hundreds of years has created a huge environmental and social cost.

Ahti Heinla is the co-founder and developer of Skype, the internet communication platform, And co-founder of Starship Technologies, a robot delivery business. Ahti joins Elliot to talk about revolutions - how he changed the world of communication and is now reshaping delivery with a fleet of over 2,000 "much loved" robots. 

Kicking off the new season of Jazz Shapers and recorded live at Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2025, Elliot Moss is joined by Gary Crosby and Janine Irons,  Founders of Tomorrow’s Warriors, the creative producer and talent development agency, increasing opportunity, diversity and excellence in and through jazz. 

Joe McDonald is the co-founder and CEO of tem, a clean energy company changing the way renewable energy is bought, sold and powered. Joe joins Elliot - for the final Jazz Shapers of the season -  to chat about disrupting the stagnant energy market, and the myths around renewable energy that hold back its potential.

David Abrahamovitch is the Founder and CEO of coffee brand Grind.  David joins Elliot to talk about turning his late Father's mobile phone shop into a side-hustle coffee store,  that he's since grown into a chain of “café by day, cocktail bar by night”  venues and a thriving Direct-to-Consumer and grocery business.  

Joining Elliot is serial entrepreneur Flavilla Fongang, founder of 3 Colours Rule, a branding and marketing agency;  the Founder of GTA Black Women in Tech, a non-profit organisation improving representation, diversity and opportunities in the technology industry and Founder of Black Rise, an AI-powered platform aiming to 'bridge the gap between businesses and the immense potential of black talent.'   

Elizabeth Rossiello is the founder and CEO of AZA Finance, an African payments and foreign exchange fintech company.  Elizabeth joins Elliot to talk about her journey from Queens, New York to Nairobi and how she overcame the volatility of new Presidents and fights with governments to drive her mission of powering trade in Africa and beyond.   

Ed Currie and Andy Coxon are the co-founders of AKT London, the natural deodorant brand.  Ed and Andy share with Elliot how performing in costumes under hot lights in West End theatres, led to them spending 3 years experimenting with ingredients on the hob in their tiny Camden kitchen, as they tried to create a superior deodorant.   

Justin Basini is the Co-Founder & Group CEO of The ClearScore Group, a technology business helping users understand and manage their credit and finances. Justin joins Elliot to share the personal toll of trying to maintain his dotcom business as the markets crashed, and how the experience helped him grow his 3rd company (a mission-driven business)  that's now helping over 23 million people on four continents.

Hannah Chappatte is the founder and CEO of Hybr, the student accommodation platform. Hannah joins Elliot to talk about how vulnerable first-time renters are to unresponsive agents and rogue landlords, and how this set her on a mission, to drag an archaic industry into the 21st century.

Jonny Goldstone is the co-founder of Green Tomato Cars, the environmentally-friendly taxi service. Jonny joins Elliot to chat about growing and selling the same successful company twice and his passion for helping other leadership teams. 

Vinita Rathi is the Founder and CEO of Systango, a digital engineering firm specialising in Generative AI, Web3, Automation, and Cloud solutions. Vinita joins Elliot to talk about growing up in a very traditional Indian family (where women weren’t expected to go out and work) and how she built a global consultancy, partnering with Amazon and Google and remains dedicated to increasing female representation in the tech industry.

Paul Noble is the Founder and Creative Director of Spiritland, a series of venues for music lovers in London and Lisbon, and also a production company. Paul joins Elliot to talk about how his experience of the  Japanese Listening Bars led to him shifting  careers and setting out to create a London version of this phenomenom with  - as he says - 'the best sound system in the world.' 

Jeremy King is the Founder and Chair of Attest, a consumer research platform. Jeremy joins Elliot to talk about how he helps brands better understand the customers they don't yet have, and what it means to him to turn his greatest passion into a brand new business, Ocean Orchestra, on a mission to save the oceans using software.

Serial entrepreneur Lex Deak is the founder of QVentures, a Venture Capital firm, and most recently co-founder and CEO of Basket, the ecommerce start-up, aiming to revolutionise the online shopping experience. Lex joins Elliot to share the defining moments from his childhood and why he's always felt confident launching  businesses in so many different industries.   

Ed Foy is the co-founder and CEO of PRESS Healthfoods, the plant-based health food brand. Ed joins Elliot to talk through the dark days and breakthroughs of trying to bring an LA trend - cold-pressed juice -  to the UK.

Sandrine Zhang Ferron is the co-founder and CEO of Vinterior, the online vintage and pre-owned furniture marketplace. Sandrine joins Elliot to chat about how searching for a designer chair the same colour as her cat's eyes, led her learn to code and launch a company offering an alternative to flat-pack, short-life furniture.