Shoot Room Sessions

Britain’s food system looks calm on the surface. Underneath, it’s under strain. Tom Bradshaw, President of the NFU, sits down with Rich Stockdale for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to feed 70 million people — and why UK farming is being pushed to the edge. From balancing family life with national leadership, to fighting for farmers inside Westminster, Tom pulls back the curtain on the political, economic, and emotional realities of modern agriculture. This isn’t nostalgia for farming’s past. It’s a hard look at its future. They dig into why UK farmers are exposed to global markets without the protections enjoyed elsewhere, how trade deals and regulation are quietly reshaping what we grow, and why food security should be treated with the same seriousness as defence and energy. Tom challenges the idea that cheap food is a success story — and explains the real cost it’s storing up for the country. The conversation moves beyond policy into purpose: what farmers stand for, why public trust matters, and how resilience — economic, environmental, and human — is the only way forward. And just days before Christmas, that pressure finally broke through. Following sustained NFU campaigning, industry-wide backing, and direct engagement with the Prime Minister, the government confirmed a major shift on inheritance tax. The threshold will now rise to £2.5 million — or up to £5 million when spousal transfers are included — meaning most family farms will be able to pass to the next generation intact. It’s not perfect, and the fight isn’t over, but for many farmers it’s a decisive step back from the brink. As Tom puts it: farming stood together when it mattered — and it will keep pushing until the system finally works for those who produce our food.

Alok Sama has lived where most people only speculate. Inside Morgan Stanley. Inside SoftBank. Inside the long, lonely thinking of Masayoshi Son. Rich and Alok strip away the mythology of success — the status, the deals, the adrenaline — and examine what’s left when the noise dies down. From the absurd rituals of high finance to the quiet psychological cost of ambition, this is an unvarnished look at what it really takes to operate at the edge of global power. They explore how language shapes truth in books, why self-deception might be a prerequisite for building anything meaningful, and why the world’s great outliers, Son, Musk, tech’s true visionaries, look ridiculous right up until they bend reality. AI enters the frame not as hype, but as a force already reshaping work, value, and intellectual relevance. The conversation also turns inward: leaving a high-adrenaline career, stepping into writing, and discovering that reflection can be more confronting than any boardroom battle.

English wine didn’t evolve — it accelerated. And now it’s facing the consequences. Ed Mansel-Lewis, Head of Viticulture at Knight Frank, joins Rich Stockdale for a wide-ranging conversation about what really determines success in modern wine — and why the industry is quietly shifting from rapid expansion to ruthless consolidation. From Champagne houses planting vines in Kent, to £30 non-alcoholic wines generating eye-watering margins, to marketing stunts that outperform heritage overnight, this episode pulls back the curtain on the economics, branding, and power dynamics shaping the future of wine. But this isn’t just an industry conversation. Ed opens up about leadership, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and the personal cost of building under pressure — at work and at home.

Nye Gordon, Director at Guidehouse, joins Rich Stockdale PhD for a conversation that moves fast — from politics to engineering, from nature markets to climate resilience, from imposter syndrome to the dream of working from a lochside in Perthshire. Nye argues that nature isn’t a backdrop to energy infrastructure — it is infrastructure. A tool for resilience. A shield for assets that are about to face more pressure than ever as the UK electrifies everything. They dig into the cultural clash between engineers and sustainability teams, the missing incentives for networks to invest in nature, and the massive opportunity for energy companies to become true climate leaders rather than reluctant participants. It’s practical. It’s provocative. And it’s a glimpse into a future where resilience-as-a-service, bold policy, and ambitious nature projects sit at the centre of how we power a country. If you care about climate, infrastructure, or the enormous transition already unfolding beneath your feet — you’ll want to hear this one.

Tom Sobey built Origin Coffee long before specialty coffee became a trend — and long before the industry understood what “quality” actually meant. ☕️ This episode goes deep into the real story behind one of Europe’s most respected coffee brands: the early graft, the relentless focus on culture, the obsession with craft, and the uncomfortable decisions needed to scale without selling your soul. We talk about the defining moments — losing Soho House after years of partnership, watching COVID wipe out wholesale overnight, then rebuilding through a digital surge that reshaped the entire business. We dive into why Tom chose to bring in outside investment for the first time, and how that move was really about unlocking opportunity and protecting Origin’s future in Cornwall. Tom’s philosophy is disarmingly simple: surround yourself with people smarter than you, stay humble, and let quality lead every decision — even when it hurts. The result? A roastery with global credibility, a culture built on trust, and a brand that refuses to play the “race to the bottom” game. This isn’t just a coffee story. It’s a blueprint for building something timeless in a world addicted to shortcuts. 🔥

Dryrobe didn’t just invent a product — they created a culture. In this episode, Rich sits down with Tasmin Chilcott, the unstoppable force behind Dryrobe’s sustainability mission, to unpack how a cold-car-park problem became one of the most influential outdoor brands in the world. From a mum’s homemade prototype to GB Olympic kit, Dryrobe has become the Hoover, Dyson and Google of its category — and Tasmin reveals the real reason why. They dive into the stories no one sees: the 100% recycled materials, the circular economy push, the packaging trials that cut eight tonnes of waste, and the battles inside a company trying to build gear that lasts forever in a world obsessed with buying again tomorrow. Tasmin opens up about her journey from ocean conservation to carbon accounting to shaping one of the UK’s most values-led brands — and why the climate crisis will force a radical rethink of everything we design and wear. Community, restoration, wild swimming culture, charity partnerships, algae-based innovation, local hiring, B Corp ethics — it’s all here. And Tasmin doesn’t sugarcoat the challenge ahead. If you want to understand what real sustainability looks like — and why Dryrobe keeps winning while everyone else greenwashes — this conversation will hit you harder than a winter swim.

What happens when an ecologist stops waiting for government — and builds the system himself? Professor David Hill CBE, founder of Environment Bank and the architect of biodiversity net gain (BNG), joins Rich Stockdale PhD for a conversation that rewrites the rules of conservation. From founding the UK’s first environmental consultancy to forcing Westminster to legislate for nature, David’s journey is proof that change doesn’t come from policy papers — it comes from people willing to fight the system. They go deep on: How BNG became law — and why it almost didn’t. Why private investment is the only route to large-scale restoration. The £45 million surge in biodiversity markets. And the creation of The Foundation for Nature — a ratings agency for the planet. This is not a polite discussion about the environment. It’s about power, persistence, and the business of saving the natural world.

Neil Beamsley doesn’t just build homes — he builds habitats. As Group Head of Biodiversity at Bellway Homes, Neil is leading one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders into uncharted territory: a world where development enhances nature, not erases it. From his early days in archaeology and ecology to shaping national policy on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Neil’s story is one of balance — between progress and preservation, ambition and accountability. He talks openly about Bellway’s decision to go beyond the legal minimum for BNG, the rise of off-site habitat banking, and why true sustainability starts with collaboration, not perfection. This is a conversation about how nature, business, and regulation can finally work together — and what it takes to build a legacy that lasts longer than concrete.

Scotland has just passed one of the most controversial pieces of land legislation in modern history — and we brought the experts into the Shoot Room for our first-ever round table to break it wide open. Rich Stockdale PhD sits down with Don MacLeod (lawyer and land reform specialist) and Crawford Mackay (partner at Galbraith) to dismantle the real implications of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill — the bureaucracy, the fragmentation, the unintended consequences, and the uncomfortable truths no one else is saying out loud. They go deep on: – Why parts of the Bill risk stalling Scotland for years – How fragmentation could cripple restoration, rural housing, and renewable energy – What the government got wrong about “big is bad” – Why land is national infrastructure — and why treating it otherwise is a mistake – And how Oxygen Conservation’s model is now being written into statute This episode is incredibly honest — with Don openly challenging key elements of the Bill and Crawford warning that the real and immediate risk is stagnation. If you want to understand what this Bill really means for communities, climate, investment, and the future of Scotland’s landscapes — start here. Honest, sharp, and essential. This episode will change the way you see land, power, and the politics shaping the places we all depend on.

Joe Stanley has spent his life on the land, but this conversation isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about the brutal, beautiful, and misunderstood reality of modern farming. A farmer, writer, and NFU environmental representative, Joe joins Rich Stockdale PhD to dismantle the myths about what it means to feed the nation while fighting climate change. From soil carbon and silvopasture to biochar and bureaucracy, he lays out the uncomfortable truth: the people growing our food are being asked to fix the planet without the training, funding, or time to do it. Together they dive into the politics of sustainability, the pressure on farmers to become carbon accountants, and why the future of food security depends on honest conversations — not headlines. This is farming without filters. Policy without spin. Hope without naivety.

They called Knepp reckless. Now it’s the blueprint for Britain’s environmental future. Molly Biddell, Head of Natural Capital at Knepp, joins Rich Stockdale PhD to talk about what happens when you stop controlling nature — and start trusting it. From the death of “sustainability” to the birth of new markets for nature, Molly pulls no punches on the realities of rewilding, regulation, and the courage it takes to let go. They talk systems thinking, privilege, burnout, and why the biggest barrier to saving the planet isn’t money or politics — it’s our fear of change. Knepp was once mocked for going wild. Now it’s proving that the future belongs to those who do.

What if the future of tech wasn’t about faster chips — but deeper values? Richard Peers, founder of Responsible Risk and former Microsoft and Accenture leader, has lived through every technological revolution from the birth of the PC to the rise of AI — and he’s seen what we keep getting wrong. He built alliances without power, sold the future to people terrified of change, and watched as the world’s biggest companies learned that timing, not talent, decides who wins. But now, Richard’s focus is shifting — from performance to purpose, from profit to planet. We talk about the 1980s wild west of computing, Microsoft’s cultural metamorphosis, and how evangelism built billion-dollar brands — before turning to what comes next: AI, geospatial data, and the urgent need to value natural capital before the planet sends the invoice. This isn’t nostalgia for the tech that built the world — it’s a call to use technology to rebuild it.

What if the best leaders stopped giving orders altogether? David Marquet — former US Navy submarine commander and author of Turn the Ship Around! — took command of the worst-performing crew in the fleet and transformed them into one of the best. His breakthrough wasn’t about charisma, authority, or discipline. It was about letting go. By replacing command and control with intent and trust, Marquet built a culture where everyone thought like a leader and acted with ownership. It wasn’t theory — it was survival, forged in the pressure of life underwater. Ten of his crew went on to become submarine captains themselves, proof that true leadership multiplies, not manages. In this conversation, Rich Stockdale and David dive into the hidden costs of bad leadership, the power of language in shaping culture, and why our obsession with control is killing creativity. They talk about burnout, vulnerability, the strange beauty of uncertainty, and the coming wave of AI that will force leaders to evolve again — this time faster than ever. This is not another management chat. It’s a challenge to rethink what leading really means — and to ask yourself the hardest question of all: would your team still thrive if you stopped giving orders?

James Shepherd’s journey began in a family boatyard in South Staffordshire, but his path was never straightforward. Growing up with challenges at home, he learned responsibility far earlier than most, lessons that shaped both his resilience and his ambition. From Cambridge to Knight Frank, from shaping land to shaping a family, James shares how he’s navigated the shift from son to father, and what it means to leave behind more than just a career: a legacy of love, adventure, and trust. This conversation is raw, reflective, and deeply human - an exploration of childhood, aspiration, and the kind of parent we hope to become.

What does “scale” really mean when you’re talking about saving the planet? For Carl Atkin-House — Head of Natural Capital Strategy at Climate Asset Management — it’s projects measured in tens of millions of dollars and thousands of hectares. Regenerative agriculture. Sustainable forestry. Environmental assets that prove nature can deliver institutional-grade returns. In this conversation, we go deep into the billion-dollar frontier of natural capital: where finance meets farmland, and impact has to perform at scale. Carl doesn’t deal in pilots or press releases — he deals in transformation. From Australia to the Pacific Northwest to the UK’s fragmented landscape, he’s building proof that investing in nature isn’t philanthropy — it’s strategy. We talk scalability, risk, regulation, and why natural capital could become the next major asset class — the one that defines the next decade of institutional portfolios. This isn’t a theory of change. It’s a business plan for the planet.

Andy Creak isn’t here to talk about sustainability — he’s here to rewire finance itself. After decades building fintech platforms and taking on titans like Fidelity, Andy turned his attention to the one market still stuck in the dark ages: natural capital. With his company Kana, he’s creating the digital infrastructure to make investing in nature as easy — and as powerful — as buying stocks or bonds. We go deep into the friction points no one wants to face: the absence of reliable data, the chaos of carbon pricing, and the urgent need for a valuation model that actually works. Andy explains why the real bottleneck isn’t interest, it’s investability — and why hitting $500 million of scale could trigger a financial chain reaction that transforms the entire sector. He also unveils his Guide to Investing in Natural Capital, built alongside some of the UK’s largest asset managers — a blueprint for mainstreaming nature-based investment and helping capital finally flow where it matters.

Alex Godfrey left a career in high finance to rebuild the rules of investment around the only capital that matters: nature. From the Bolivian Amazon to UK estates, he’s seen firsthand how regenerative agriculture, biodiversity credits, and carbon markets can reshape not just land—but entire economies. This conversation cuts through the noise on ESG and digs into the real questions: How do we make natural capital investable? What happens when carbon, water, and biodiversity become mainstream revenue streams? And should pension funds be forced to put skin in the game—1% of every portfolio—into projects that restore the planet? If you care about resilient businesses, regenerative economics, or the future of food and finance, this episode will challenge how you think about money, soil, and survival.

Guy Hayler doesn’t just talk about business as a force for good — he’s building the ecosystem to prove it. As co-founder of Blue Earth, Guy has raised £155 million for 60+ purpose-led companies and is connecting founders, corporates, and investors who actually want to change the system, not just tick a sustainability box. From the BE100 campaign filtering 1,000+ startups into the top 100, to BE Ventures backing companies reshaping energy, food, and finance, this is about moving capital at scale — and fast. We dive into why collaboration beats competition, why politics keeps failing the planet, and why the real battle is making sustainable business commercially unstoppable. This isn’t theory. It’s money, momentum, and a movement that could transform industries — and maybe the world.

Julia Armstrong D’Agnese isn’t selling software. She’s building Earth Knowledge — digital twins of the planet that Fortune 500s, governments, and insurers use to see the future before it hits. From hurricanes to droughts, supply chain shocks to financial collapse — the risks are here, but most of us are still blind to them. Julia and her team fuse climate, weather, and nature data into something more valuable than oil or gold: foresight. We talk about scaling a company that partners with Microsoft and NASDAQ, the brutal truths of climate risk, and the personal conviction it takes to build a mission this ambitious. This isn’t a story about tech. It’s a story about Earth’s… knowledge. And whether we’re smart enough to use it.

Peter Stein has spent his life proving that conservation isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about power, money, and strategy. From building urban parks in the South Bronx to managing Lyme Timber’s $900 million portfolio of forests, Peter has been at the intersection of land, finance, and community for decades. He’s seen how conservation easements can outlast politics, and how private capital can scale nature protection faster than government ever could. In this conversation we go deep into conservation finance, collaboration across unlikely partners, and the future of land stewardship in a world where natural capital is finally being priced in. This isn’t just about saving trees—it’s about re-engineering the relationship between money and the natural world.