The BNI UK Podcast
by Lichfield Podcast Studio
The BNI UK Podcast takes you inside the real stories behind BNI success, told by the members who are doing it best, day in and day out across the UK. Hosted by Ollie Turpie, National Director of BNI UK, each episode gets back to what makes BNI different: relationships built on trust, generosity, and genuine connection. Every conversation explores how the core values of Givers Gain®, Lifelong Learning, and Recognition translate into measurable business results. You’ll hear honest, inspiring insights from top-performing members who’ve mastered the craft of networking and referral marketing, not through gimmicks, but through consistency, credibility, and community. You'll get practical strategies you can actually use: how to generate and pass high-value referrals, invite the right visitors, and make the most of everything BNI member
Episodes
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Better Conversations, Better Referrals: Andy Bounds on Afters, Certainty and Follow-Up
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Ollie Turpie welcome sales and communication expert Andy Bounds. Andy shares the ideas that have made him such a popular speaker within BNI, including why people should focus on the “afters” they create for others, how to…
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Growing WLV Plumbing Through BNI: Referrals, Relationships and Going All In
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Ollie Turpie welcome Scott Irving of WLV Plumbing & Heating and BNI St Paul’s in Birmingham. Scott shares how BNI has played a fundamental role in the growth of WLV, helping the business move from three directors working on…
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Ollie Turpie’s First Months as National Director: Listening, Learning and Growing BNI UK
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell catches up with UK National Director Ollie Turpie around two and a half months into his new role. Ollie reflects on what he has learned so far, the importance of getting out into chapters, the passion he has seen across the network, and the...
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Episode 19 - Building Stronger Chapters Through Culture, Collaboration and Communication
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Ollie Turpie welcome Mark Wilkes, Executive Director of BNI Black Country South. Mark shares his journey from someone who initially dismissed business networking to becoming a member, Ambassador, Director Consultant, Area...
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Episode 18 - From Nervous Visitor to Executive Director: Julie Cameron’s BNI Journey
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and National Director Ollie Turpie welcome Julie Cameron Executive Director of BNI Coventry and Warwickshire. Julie shares her journey from walking nervously into her first BNI meeting seven years ago to taking on the region alongside her husband...
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Episode 17 - Mike Holman on his EMEA Role, the Future of BNI and Why Africa Excites Him Most
Episode 17 - A New Chapter: Mike Holman on His EMEA Role, the Future of BNI and Why Africa Excites Him Most In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell sits down with outgoing UK National Director Mike Holman for what feels like a genuine milestone conversation - a proper farewell to the UK…
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Episode 16 - Meet the New BNI UK National Director: Ollie Turpie Steps into the Spotlight
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and outgoing National Director Mike Holman introduce the new UK National Director of BNI - Ollie Turpie. Just three weeks into the role at the time of recording, Ollie shares his background in franchising, how he came to land the job and what he is...
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Episode 15 - The Lost Art of the Testimonial: Why They Still Matter Without the Points
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Mike Holman dig into testimonials - what they are, why they were created, and how to give one that actually makes a difference now that they no longer count toward traffic light points. Mike shares the origin story behind...
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Episode 14 - Inside the BNI National Conference: 30 Years, 420 Delegates and a Big Announcement
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell is joined by UK National Director Mike Holman and Operations Director Simon McGuinness for a debrief on BNI's recent national conference - a milestone event marking 30 years of BNI in the UK. The conversation goes behind the scenes of what it takes…
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Episode 13 - Making the Complex Simple: How to Communicate Technical Services in BNI
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Aaron Donnelly, Managing Director of Complexus Limited. Aaron shares how he communicates a highly technical offering - from telemetry and security to tracking people, vehicles and assets - in…
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Episode 12 - The Power of Community: When BNI Goes Beyond Business
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined guest David Bartlett, a locksmith from the Maverick chapter in Suffolk. David shares an incredible real-life story that highlights the true power of community within BNI. What started as a routine...
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Episode 11 - Can You Join Multiple Networking Groups as a BNI Member?
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Mike Holman explore a common question - can BNI members join multiple networking groups? The discussion clarifies the difference between casual contact networking and strong contact networking, and why BNI has specific…
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Episode 10 - Building Your Tribe: Why Relationships Beat Data in BNI with Emma Easton
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Emma Easton, Director at Business Communicate and a BNI member of over 11 years. Emma shares her perspective on building a true “tribe” within BNI — moving beyond tracking numbers and focusing...
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Episode 9 - How to Deal with a Bad Referral
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell speaks with UK National Director Mike Holman about a challenge every BNI member will face at some point - receiving a bad referral. They explore what actually defines a “bad” referral and, more importantly, how to respond in a way that strengthens...
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Episode 8 - Accountability, Consistency & Personal Brand: Building a Network That Performs
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined by guest Rich Hayden, Managing Director of Made By Seven and a founding BNI member with over 22 years’ experience. Rich shares his journey from ineffective, transactional networking to building a...
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Episode 7 - From Start-Up to Success: How BNI Helped Build a Thriving Gifting Business
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Emma Robson, Director of Stort Valley Gifting and member of BNI Success for Business in Harlow. Emma shares her journey of launching a business during COVID after redundancy and how BNI played…
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Episode 6 - Building a National Network Through BNI: Trust, Scale, and Saying Yes
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman welcome Andrew Payne of UK Property Service SW Ltd and BNI Spirit in Devon. Andrew shares how, in less than a year, he has used BNI not just to generate direct business, but to build a trusted national contractor...
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Episode 5 - Nailing Your Weekly Presentation
In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and Mike Holman, National Director of BNI UK, break down one of the most important - and often underused - opportunities in BNI: the weekly presentation. Mike shares practical, no-nonsense advice on how members can use their 30, 45 or 60 seconds more...
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Episode 4 - From First-Time Networker to Top Performer: Confidence, Clarity, and Givers Gain®
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and national director Mike Holman welcome Jon Zink (Godiva BNI, Coventry), who shares how he went from never having done business networking to generating over £2.1m in revenue and passing nearly £3m in four years, placing him consistently in the…
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Episode 3 - Member Traffic Lights Made Simple: Global Standards, Smart Data, and Better Results
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and UK National Director Mike Holman welcome Tim Cook, Senior Director of Product Management at BNI Global and former UK National Director. Tim explains the origins of BNI’s member traffic lights, why they’re now being standardised across more than…
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Episode 2 - From “No” to Opportunity: Mastering Visitor Inviting with Confidence and Consistency
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined by Birmingham Area Director Dawn Adlam, who supports over 200 members across the region. Dawn shares how she went from being crushed by her first “no” to confidently inviting visitors for 17+ years, using…
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Episode 1 - Pure BNI: Structure, Values, and Getting ROI from Your Membership
In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell turns the mic on national director Mike Holman to unpack what makes “pure BNI” work: a clear agenda, core values, and doing the basics beautifully so members see a real return on investment. Mike traces his 25-year journey from golf-club manager and...
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The BNI UK Podcast Trailer
Welcome to the BNI UK Podcast, the show for business networking, referral marketing and small business growth. If you’re an entrepreneur, SME owner, consultant or local business leader who wants more leads, better clients and stronger business relationships, you’re in the right place. BNI…
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About this show
The BNI UK Podcast takes you inside the real stories behind BNI success, told by the members who are doing it best, day in and day out across the UK. Hosted by Ollie Turpie, National Director of BNI UK, each episode gets back to what makes BNI different: relationships built on trust, generosity, and genuine connection.
Every conversation explores how the core values of Givers Gain®, Lifelong Learning, and Recognition translate into measurable business results. You’ll hear honest, inspiring insights from top-performing members who’ve mastered the craft of networking and referral marketing, not through gimmicks, but through consistency, credibility, and community.
You'll get practical strategies you can actually use: how to generate and pass high-value referrals, invite the right visitors, and make the most of everything BNI member
Hosted by
Lichfield Podcast Studio
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