The MorePeople Podcast

When leadership gets difficult, what do you do?Andrew Fitzmaurice is joined by Mark Kitson, an experienced business leader and consultant with a career spanning Whitbread, Costa Coffee and senior leadership roles across the food and hospitality sector.They explore what really happens when things don't go to plan - from failed strategies and business crises to conflict, difficult conversations and the isolation that can come with leadership.Mark shares some honest lessons from his own career, including why failure can be one of the most valuable teachers, why leaders need to stop avoiding uncomfortable conversations, and how coaching isn't always about giving people the answers.Because leadership isn't about having all the answers. Sometimes it's about having the confidence to say: "This isn't working. What do we do next?"

In this episode of the MorePeople Podcast, Sean Sankey joins us to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing modern organisations: helping talented people communicate effectively when the stakes are high.Drawing on his work with leadership teams across multiple industries, Sean explores why communication, confidence, and conflict management have become critical business skills. From boardroom disagreements and executive presentations to talent development and team performance, he shares what separates high-performing teams from those that become stuck in conflict, misunderstanding, or stagnation.

What does it really take to become a great leader? In this episode of the MorePeople Podcast, Kirsten Catella, Sales & Marketing Director at Wyvale Nurseries, gets brutally honest about the reality of leadership, career progression and success. From making mistakes and learning from failure, to overcoming self-doubt, taking risks before you feel ready and showing up when things get tough, Kirsten shares the lessons that have shaped her 26-year career in horticulture. She reveals why great leaders don’t play the blame game, why the fear never truly disappears, and why your personal brand is about far more than what you post online.

In this episode of The MorePeople Podcast, Richard Hanwell and Andrew Fitzmaurice take an honest look at what it really takes to build a successful career in recruitment. They break down why recruitment is often misunderstood, what separates great recruiters from average ones, and how curiosity, resilience, and discipline drive long‑term success.The conversation explores specialist recruitment, career progression, industry exposure, and why recruitment is about far more than filling vacancies. They also discuss culture, personal development, and how working closely with businesses and industry leaders accelerates learning and growth. A must‑listen for anyone considering a career in recruitment or looking to understand what success in the industry really looks like.

In this episode of the MorePeople Podcast, we speak with Barbara Bray MBE – food industry consultant, Chair of Red Tractor, and TED speaker – about nutrition, food safety, and careers in the food industry.Barbara shares why small, sustainable changes to your diet are more effective than chasing fad diets or quick fixes. Drawing on her PhD in healthy ageing, she explains how simple habits like portion control and improving everyday meals can have a lasting impact.We also explore the importance of food safety, traceability, and consumer trust, plus insights into building a successful career in the food sector.If you’re interested in healthy eating, nutrition advice, food industry careers, or Red Tractor standards, this episode is packed with practical, expert insights.

In this episode of The MorePeople Podcast, Andrew Fitzmaurice speaks with Sapphira Waterson, CEO of MDS (Management Development Services), about how the organisation fast‑tracks graduate talent for careers in the food and agriculture sector. An absolute must-listen episode for anyone ready to kickstart their career in the food and agriculture space!Sapphira shares her own career journey into leadership and explains the unique MDS graduate programme, including rotational placements, rigorous assessment, and structured support. The conversation explores transferable skills, high‑performance talent development, and why graduates don’t need an agricultural background to succeed in food and agri‑business. An insightful listen for employers, graduates, and anyone interested in future leadership and workforce development in food and agriculture.

In this episode of Life at MorePeople, Lawrence and Beth dive into what it’s really like working at MorePeople - from first impressions and career growth to company culture, progression, and the power of stepping outside your comfort zone.Beth shares her journey joining the marketing team in a brand-new role and how she’s developed her skills, confidence, and responsibilities in just over a year. Lawrence reflects on seven years at MorePeople, his progression into a divisional manager role, and how the business has grown alongside its people.Together, they explore what makes MorePeople’s culture unique - from team social events and charity activities to training, mentoring, and conferences that support continuous development.A key theme throughout the conversation is simple but powerful: “get comfortable being uncomfortable and say yes to everything.” It’s this mindset that helps employees grow, take on new challenges, and unlock opportunities they never expected.Whether you’re interested in recruitment careers, looking for a new role, or simply curious about workplace culture at MorePeople, this episode gives an honest, behind-the-scenes look at life in a fast-growing recruitment business.

In this episode of The MorePeople Podcast, we speak with Chris Smyth, Engineering Manager at Branston Limited, about his journey from the RAF into civilian food engineering and leadership. Chris shares the realities of transitioning from military to civilian engineering roles, the steep learning curve many ex‑forces engineers face, and how hands‑on learning accelerated his career. We explore modern engineering practices in food manufacturing, including predictive maintenance, automation, and the growing role of AI. The conversation also dives into engineering recruitment, talent development, and why ex‑military engineers can thrive when properly supported. A must‑listen for engineers, hiring managers, and anyone considering a move into food manufacturing or engineering leadership!

What does it take to leave a career in London insurance and build a working farm in the Israeli desert?In this episode of The MorePeople Podcast, Managing Director Richard Hanwell sits down with Adam Tyler, Head Grower at S&A Produce, to explore an extraordinary and unconventional journey into the world of horticulture and modern farming.Adam’s career began far from agriculture as a Lloyd’s insurance broker in London. But a life-changing opportunity led him to the Negev Desert in Israel, where at just 24 years old he helped build a farm from scratch. With no prior farming experience, he learned hands-on—developing expertise in irrigation systems, crop management, and desert agriculture under extreme conditions.This episode explores:Adam’s transition from finance and insurance into farmingWhat it’s really like to build a farm in the Israeli desertLessons from growing peppers, soft fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberriesThe importance of mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in agricultureHow global experience is transforming UK horticulture and fresh produce productionThe role of innovation in modern farming, including precision irrigation and data-led growing systemsWhy initiatives like NewGen are vital for developing future talent in the industryNow based in Kent, Adam applies his international experience at S&A Produce, helping drive innovation in UK soft fruit production while championing the next generation of growers.This is a must-watch for anyone interested in horticulture careers, agricultural innovation, food production, or unconventional career paths.

In this episode of the MorePeople Podcast, we take a look inside the business with recruitment consultants Kieran and Emily, as they share their experiences building careers in recruitment within the horticultural sector. They discuss joining MorePeople from non‑traditional backgrounds, learning a specialist industry from scratch, and how open‑mindedness, ownership, and collaboration drive success. The conversation also explores company culture, leadership, and career progression in recruitment. A must-listen episode for anyone considering a career in recruitment!

Discover why landscaping has proven its resilience in one of the most insightful episodes of The MorePeople Podcast.In this episode, Andrew Fitzmaurice speaks with Wayne Grills, CEO of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), to explore the realities of the UK landscaping industry - from small domestic gardens to multi-million-pound commercial projects.🌿 What you’ll learn in this episode:How the landscaping industry has adapted to COVID-19, Brexit, and rising costsThe role of BALI in shaping industry standards, accreditation, and plant healthWhy resilience and adaptability are now essential for landscaping businessesThe true scale of the sector - from local projects to £10M+ developmentsHow businesses can navigate cash flow, labour challenges, and regulationWayne also shares his unique career journey into landscaping, along with practical insights for anyone working in or considering a future in the horticulture, landscaping, or green infrastructure sectors.Whether you're a landscape contractor, garden designer, recruiter, or business owner, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at an industry that continues to evolve and grow.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights from leaders across the food, agriculture, and horticulture industries.

Welcome to a very special episode of the MorePeople Podcast, hosted by our own Rae Goss and Brian McGeachy. Rae and Brian are both Senior Consultants recruiting for Commercial roles within the Home and Garden sector. They reflect back to 2025, uncovering challenges and key learnings from their work with a range of clients and candidates. From the power of key trade shows to the benefits of truly understanding clients in retained roles, tune in to this episode to find out more.

Join us for part 2 of the MorePeople Podcast with Matthew Downes. Matthew dives into one of the most pressing topics for businesses within our industries, cybersecurity. From providing the correct education, preventative measures and the impact of cyber attacks on the whole supply chain, IT Director Matthew explores the above in the latest episode of the MorePeople Podcast.

Join Richard on The MorePeople Podcast as he speaks with Lucy Wilkins, Breeding Programme Director, about careers in plant breeding and the innovations shaping the industry. Lucy shares her journey from university summer jobs to leading breeding programmes, explaining how new varieties of fruits and vegetables are developed to meet grower, retailer, and consumer needs. The conversation explores the role of technology, sustainability, and collaboration in modern breeding, while highlighting the importance of inspiring the next generation. Packed with practical advice and career insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about science, agriculture, and making a real-world impact.

Today, Andrew is joined by Operations Director of Fischer Farms, Jean-Marie Graux, to explore the fast-evolving world of vertical farming. This conversation dives into how vertical farming can support traditional growing, whilst covering topics like sustainability, technology and food security. This is a must-listen episode for anyone within the industry!

On this episode of TheMore People Podcast, Richard speaks with Paul Nicholls from Speciality Produce, exploring careers and insights in the UK fresh produce industry. Paul shares his 36-year journey, from marketing roles to leadership, highlighting the vital work of Producer Organisations in supporting growers, navigating funding, and maintaining food supply resilience. They discuss challenges facing the sector, strategies for attracting new talent, and the personal satisfaction of working closely with growers. This episode offers an honest, insider perspective on an industry that’s essential, rewarding, and deeply connected to people, sustainability, and the future of food.

Andrew Fitzmaurice is joined by Alana Deakon, Senior Production Manager at Driscoll’s, for an inside look at the modern soft fruit sector. From Alana’s journey from Kenya to UK fruit production, the conversation explores career pathways, supply chains, and the realities of delivering consistent quality in an unpredictable world. They discuss changing consumer expectations, the vital role of production teams, and the challenge of attracting the next generation into produce. An honest, insightful episode for anyone curious about food, farming, and careers in fruit.

Andrew is joined by special guest Matthew Downes, Associate Director at SCALA Consulting. With a vast background in IT, specifically in the supply chain and manufacturing sector, Matthew talks us through the art of AI, what it really looks like and how it can help businesses, whilst highlighting the economic impact it can have. Tune in to the MorePeople Podcast to find out more!

As we enter 2026, Richard and Andrew return to The MorePeople Podcast for a rare, unscripted conversation reflecting on 2025 and the confidence heading into 2026. They discuss navigating economic uncertainty, building momentum despite challenges, and why time feels compressed when you’re always moving forward. From breaking records and growing teams to embracing mistakes, expanding networks, and raising standards, this episode is an honest look at progress, perspective, and resilience - and why the future still feels genuinely exciting.

Join Andrew and special guest, Patrick Harte, joint MD of Cambridge HOK, on this week's episode of the MorePeople Podcast. Patrick talks us through the advancements of the horticultural engineering business, and the cutting-edge technology behind creating their large-scale glasshouses, indoor farms, garden centres and more! A must-listen episode for anyone within the horticultural industry!

This week, Michail, Senior Consultant for our Garden Centre Division, joins Andrew to talk all things Garden Centre recruitment! How Michails background helped him, what's surprised him about recruitment and his journey so far.

This week on the MorePeople Podcast, Andy sits down with Jim Waller, Group CEO of Fenmarc. Jim walks us through his impressive career in retail, whilst uncovering recent developments of Fenmarc, including tapping into the healthy eating trends of this year. They also dive into why understanding the entire supply chain is crucial for building and managing strong relationships. Tune in for an episode packed with leadership lessons and a fresh look at what's driving the food industry today.

Andrew Fitzmaurice is joined by Alex Worth, Farm Manager at AH Worth and a 5th-generation farmer. Learn about Alex's journey growing up in the farming world and learning the ranks in the family business. As well as how AH Worth are tackling climate change, weather conditions and more.

On this week's episode of the MorePeople Podcast, we're joined by Lilidh Matthews, whose impressive career spans the full farm-to-fork journey and everything in between! From her early days in viticulture and the MDS graduate scheme, to commercial and buying roles, keep listening to learn all about her experience and her passion for shaping opportunities for the younger generation.

This week we have an episode related to our local area of Stamford, we are joined by Kelham Cooke, the current Mayor of Stamford, former leader of the council and member of parliament! Hear how Kelham joined the council at just 20 years old and his journey since then, and the importance of Stamford being a place to work, live and visit.

Richard Bonn joins Andy on this week's episode of the MorePeople Podcast. Richard's commendable experience extends from the start to the end of the supply chain, to now co-founding Aethr Associates, offering senior leadership workshops tailored around sustainability. Keep listening to find out more!

James Truscott joins Andrew on this week's episode, a 'lifer in food', starting on a Unilever graduate scheme, allocated to a Food Business, the rest is history. James covers his career history, the challenges of the produce industry in the UK and what opportunities this brings. As well as the resilience of the people in this industry and more! Tune in for a great, informative episode!

Join Andrew and Sean Sankey, our new Head of Development, as we go beyond recruitment. With an extensive background in coaching and training top teams across a variety of different sectors, tune in to learn more about our new services with MorePeople Executive Development.

Hear from our very own Recruitment Consultant, Kieran Duncan-Johal, on this week's episode of the MorePeople Podcast. Kieran and Andy discuss the Horticultural recruitment landscape, and what surprises Kieran has encountered whilst developing his experience within the sector. Tune in to find out more.

Felicity Mitchell, Senior Consultant here at MorePeople, specialising in the Garden Retain Sector. Join Richard and Felicity as they discuss why Felicity got into recruitment and how Garden Retail is a booming sector with many possibilities, contrary to popular belief. Think better working hours, hospitality, departments other than plants, and a sector that has boomed since covid. Tune in to find out more!

On this week’s episode of the MorePeople Podcast, Andrew Fitzmaurice is joined by Leon Mundey. Founder of Peak Growth, Leon offers strategic coaching for business leaders to accelerate their growth goals. From an extensive commercial career within the food industry to joining the board of a business targeting its scalability journey, they discuss the value of business coaching, along with the power of asking difficult questions. Find out more on this episode!

Richard is joined by Mike Harpham, an experienced director, now NED, in the Fresh Produce Industry. Hear how Mike got into the industry with a great story involving a 30-minute interview in French, how the relationship between suppliers and retailers changed after the 2008 recession, as well as how the German Discounters changed the game. All this and more in this week's episode - tune in now!

This week, David Coop, MD of Elsoms Seeds, joins Andrew Fitzmaurice. Hear David's fascinating story of how he got into the industry from calling a helpline number on the back of a well-known gardening product and delve into the beginning of the supply chain - seed breeding!

Join Richard with this week's guest, Rebecca Wilson, a mixed farmer from North Yorkshire, showcasing the life of a farmer on Instagram and podcasts. Hear about Rebecca's background, the current challenges, the role of social media and more in this week's episode of The MorePeople Podcast!

Andrew Fitzmaurice is joined by Phil Wright, MD of WrightObara, on today's episode of the MorePeople Podcast! The creative marketing agency specialises in the home and garden sector, offering creative marketing solutions for businesses in this industry. Tune in to hear the benefits of embracing such creative outputs and the impact this can have on your business!

We are joined by Amy Stubbs, Project and Development Manager for British Garden Centres on this week's episode of the MP Podcast! Amy has been immersed in the garden retail sector her whole life and has watched BGC grow to an impressive 73 site business! Richard and Amy discuss this growth and the future plans - tune in to find out more!

On this week's episode of the MorePeople podcast, we're joined by Mike Matthews, Partner at Roythornes Solicitors. Mike heads up the Mergers and Acquisitions team and shares insight into how the business has changed in light of the Budget. He also discusses his thoughts on hybrid working, AI and the importance of retaining young talent. Tune in to find out more.

We are thrilled to be joined by Christine Tacon on the latest episode of the MorePeople podcast. Andrew and Christine discuss her extensive background within the food industry, including being a Member Nominated Director of the Co-op Group and serving as the Chair of MDS – the management training scheme for those in the food and fresh produce industry. Find out more on Episode 51 of the MP Podcast.

Join Andrew and Richard on our 50th episode, and one year since we started the podcast! Hear from the MorePeople directors on why they started the podcast, and what some of their favourite episodes and highlights from our first 50 episodes!

Join MorePeople's Co-Founders, Guy Moreton and Peter Hunt for a special episode of the MorePeople Podcast, celebrating 25 years since the business was founded. Guy and Peter look back to 2000, sharing how the business began and the values that laid the foundations for a thriving recruitment company. They reflect on key industry moments and the achievements they’re most proud of over the past 25 years.

On today's episode of the MorePeople Podcast, Andrew is joined by Senior Recruitment Consultant Jake Tebbutt-Gilbert. They discuss how Jake's impressive 8 years in the armed forces gave him the transferable skills needed to succeed as an Engineering Recruitment Specialist. Topics such as the demands of the engineering industry and cutting-edge advancements are discussed, whilst emphasising the cruciality of staying up to date with engineering challenges. Tune into the podcast to find out more!

MD Richard chats with Ryan Bainborough, Team Manager of the Rural and Agriculture team here at MorePeople. Ryan tells us about his unique experience in the agricultural world from as early as 4 years old, and how he went from semi-professional ice hockey player to London Recruiter! Ryans vast experience of different types of recruitment puts him in great stead for his role here at MorePeople. Tune in to find out more!

Claire Donovan is back! As CEO of MSIN (Modern Slavery Intelligence Network), Claire explains the network and how it works in this week's episode. The MSIN Conference is coming up next week on 26th March 2025 at Tesco Head Office which focuses on Disruption, and how organisations can understand and learn what to look out for in their business. Tune in to find out more, and if you'd like to attend the conference you can find out more here https://www.morepeople.co.uk/blog/2025/02/msin-conference-2025

Join CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice and Sales Director for Alton Garden Centres - andy bunker on episode 44 of The MorePeople Podcast. Hear about Andy's career history and how he started gaining his knowledge of the industry from a young age in the family business and an insightful conversation on the ever-growing challenges of growing media and how this can affect customer experiences and retailers' reputations.

This week we're joined by Claire Donovan, with an impressive career history within Food and Fresh Produce and now CEO of the Modern Slavery Intelligence Network along with other consultancy and freelance appointments within the industry. Claire talks about how she began her career in food, why Technical professionals often aren't seen to progress to board level and the scale of modern day slavery in 2025.

On this weeks podcast episode, Andrew is joined by Boyd Douglas-Davies, founder of Boyd Partnership. Boyd has vast and commendable experience in the garden centre and horticultural industries, including chair of the Environmental Horticulture Group. They discuss topics such as the growth in horticultural audiences over the last five years, Boyd’s involvement with Greenfingers Charity and more recently his own Managing Consultancy. Tune in to learn more!

On this weeks episode of the podcast, we are delighted to welcome Jacqui Green. Jacqui has 30 years of experience in the fresh fruit industry and her experience spans across Non Exec Director level and Professional Coaching, founding Viridis Associates. Jacqui and Richard discuss topics like barriers in the workplace and succession planning. Tune in to learn more!

MD of S&A Produce, Peter Judge joins Andy on the podcast this week. Peter shares an overview of his impressive 45 years of industry experience within the soft fruit industry.They discuss topics such as the importance of sharing insight, what the soft fruits industry will look like in years to come and Peter's plans for the future. Listen now!

Creative Director and Founder of Hue, Mark Buttress joins us on the podcast this week. From founding the business 17 years ago, Mark shares insight into working with companies, such as MorePeople, and how to get the most out of brand development. Will future technology help or hinder us? Find out more on this weeks podcast episode!

This week, Editor of Garden Trade News, Trevor Pfeiffer joins us on the podcast. Trevor shares his journey into garden magazines and the vast projects he has worked on since 1989. Tune into the podcast to discuss the evolution of garden centres and Trevor's involvement in many industry awards!