Jazz Shapers

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. 

Maya Moufarek is Founding Chief Marketing Officer of Pharmacy2U, the NHS-approved online pharmacy and Founder of the growth consultancy, Marketing Cube. Maya joins  Elliot to talk about how her French-Lebanese-Russian roots have shaped the way she's supported hundreds of tech founders to build their brands.

Alex Bomberg is the Founder of International Intelligence Limited,  the security and intelligence company. Alex joins Elliot to talk about how his childhood (with his parents fostering many children) led to his focus to protect others, in the British Army,  the Royal family and now in the world of global intelligence.

Amanda Thomson is the CEO and Founder of Thomson & Scott, creators of Noughty, the premium non-alcoholic wine brand. Amanda joins Elliot to talk about leaving her broadcasting career to study wine in Paris, and her challenge of creating her own fine wines and champagne without all the sugar and chemicals.

Jazz Shapers is back, and to kick off the brand new season Elliot is joined by Scott Harrison, founder of the fitness programme, The Six Pack Revolution. Scott talks honestly about overcoming the deep impacts of the childhood bullying he experienced and how he created a life-changing programme supporting tens of 1000’s of people across the world to improve their fitness and mental well-being.

Anthony Fletcher is the founder of Believe in Science, a scientific Research and Development business on a mission to take the junk out of junk food. Anthony joins Elliot to talk about how his time at Innocent Drinks and as CEO at Graze led to him launching his own business and their first brand - Urban Legend, aiming to reduce (and perhaps one day remove) the sugar and fat from doughnuts.   

Naz Nankali is the Founder of Powertutors, a UK tutoring agency.   Naz joins Elliot to talk about her struggles with dyslexia (while growing up as an Iranian in Ukraine) and how the impact of a maths tutor led to her launching her own business, aiming to help every child and young person believe in themselves.

Gush Mundae is the founder of Bulletproof, a brand design agency with eight studios across the globe. Gush chats to Elliot about the racism he experienced as a child and how graffiti and hip-hop culture were the sparks that led to a multi-million-pound business.