A Track Record

Our podcast gives a candid, in-depth look at the personal and professional journeys of those who’ve stepped into the C-suite, as well as the founders and quasi-founders who’ve built, scaled, and sold their businesses. We talk career paths, pivotal moments, leadership lessons, and what’s next.

Nothing in this podcast constitutes investment or financial advice; it is for informational purposes only.

12 May 2026

Midwich Group Plc CEO — ‘The often overlooked importance of people in M&A’

Jack and Sam sit down with Stephen Fenby, MD of Midwich Group PLC, who shares how a buy-and-build strategy transformed the business into a global AV business. Discover how choosing the right team and leveraging local talent fuelled expansion into new markets while maintaining a strong culture. Learn from Stephen’s journey, from their first AV acquisition to a successful IPO, and uncover the key criteria for identifying high-potential targets.

This episode offers practical insights on integrating new businesses, focusing on relationships, and aligning with a cohesive vision. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or executive, gain frameworks for leveraging M&A to unlock your company’s potential. Tune in to understand why the true value of a business lies in its people and how strategic acquisitions can be your game-changer.

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15 December 2025

London Metric Property PLC CEO — ‘Andrew Jones: quality investing in real estate’

In this episode of A Track Record, Sam Cole and Jack Pailing chat with Andrew Jones, CEO of London Metric Property PLC. Andrew shares insights from his early life in Wales, his journey into real estate, and the evolution of his career, including the founding of London Metric. He discusses the importance of relationships in retail and logistics, the challenges faced during the financial crisis, and the strategies that have guided his success in the property sector.

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21 October 2025

Liverpool Airport CEO — ‘Embracing change and leadership’

In this episode of A Track Record, Sam Cole and Jack Pailing are joined by John Irving, the CEO of Liverpool Airport, who shares his journey from his early life in Newcastle to his career in finance and leadership roles in various industries, including Procter & Gamble and Newcastle United. John discusses the challenges and lessons learned during his time in football, the transition to the aviation sector, and the impact of the pandemic on the travel industry. He reflects on personal growth, leadership styles, and the importance of being authentic in one’s career.

The conversation concludes with quick fire questions revealing John’s personal interests and insights.

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24 September 2025

Oxford Summer Courses — from school to business sale

In this episode of A Track Record, hosts Sam and Jack sit down with Harry Horton and Rob Phipps, founders of Oxford Summer Courses. They discuss their early lives, the inception of their business, and the challenges they faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation highlights the importance of leadership, resilience, and the lessons learned throughout their entrepreneurial journey, culminating in the sale of their business in 2024.

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18 August 2025

Eurocell CEO — Darren Waters: navigating leadership

In this episode, Sam and Jack Pailing are fortunate to have Darren Waters, CEO of Eurocell, on the podcast, discussing his career journey from his early life in Grimsby to his leadership roles in the oil and building materials industries. Darren shares insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, resilience, and proactive decision-making in leadership. He reflects on his experiences with mergers and acquisitions, navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the significance of company culture.

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22 July 2025

Naked Wines CEO — Rodrigo Maza: from aspiration to reality

In the first episode of A Track Record, Sam and Jack talk with Rodrigo Maza, CEO of Naked Wines. They discuss Maza’s early life in Mexico City, his career journey from Grupo Modelo to AB InBev, and then onto Naked Wines, and the leadership lessons he learned along the way.

Maza shares insights on his leadership style, what he values, the challenges he has faced, and how he is navigating a CEO role. The conversation concludes with Maza offering advice for young leaders and engaging in a quick fire question round.

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17 July 2025

An introduction to ‘A Track Record’

Jack and Sam explain why ‘A Track Record’ is being launched, who this is for, and what guests we will be bringing onto the show.

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