In episode 15 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we welcome a person kept very busy during a global energy crisis: Tom Greatrex, CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association, which represents 250 companies across the nuclear supply chain in the UK. Tom is also a former Labour MP (2010 and 2015), and a highly respected Shadow Energy Minister. He is the vice chair of the Football Supporters Association and represents supporters on the FA Council.

As an advocate of nuclear power, he deconstructs the fear associated with nuclear power and demystifies major nuclear disasters, including Fukushima and Chernobyl. On the recent concerns around energy security, Tom says: “The best time to build a nuclear power station has always been about 15 years ago. The next best time is now.”

Talking about his time as an MP, Tom reflects on the current political culture and how it – along with a missing sense of purpose –prevents politicians from making good long-term decisions. With politics geared to 24-hour news and social media, creating an environment of short-termism, Tom advises leaders to think for the future.

Listen to White Swan with Tom for an insightful and fascinating conversation about nuclear, politics, and football – and the crisis management lessons behind them.

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In episode 14 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we are joined by Thomas Hurd – former Director General at the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism in the UK. Thomas was also responsible for overseeing the domestic operations of the intelligence agencies, CT Police and the National Crime Agency and played a leading role internationally on domestic security issues.  

Back in May 2020, at the outset of Covid-19 in the UK, Thomas was tasked with setting up the UK's Joint Biosecurity Centre to detect Covid 19 outbreaks earlier and more accurately, alongside advising the UK government and local authorities on how best to respond. He speaks about building the centre up from scratch to incorporate both health expertise and data, and the importance for leaders to adopt a data-driven mindset. 

With a strong expertise in crisis management and recovery, Hurd shares his experience managing crisis on a national level, including the UK response to the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Talking to Thomas, we see a glimpse into how COBRA meetings work and his role in keeping crises under control. 

This action-packed episode is a must-listen for all leaders, especially those who want to be prepared and proactive when it comes to managing crises – with a myriad of valuable advice shared by the expert himself. 

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In Episode 13 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we talk about what leaders can do to avoid a crisis engulfing their business around the language of gender – and why getting this language right can make your business more resilient, and more profitable.

In this episode, Gavin Megaw talks with Kate Miller, Chief Diversity and Communications Officer at the England & Wales Cricket Board, and Helen Sauntson, Professor of English Language and Linguistics in the York St John University School of Languages and Linguistics.

The fascinating conversation talks about why getting the language of gender right, and avoiding biased wording, is important in creating successful – and profitable – organisations. The conversation takes in the importance of championing the changing of the status quo, why everyone needs to play a role in “checks and challenges”, and how moving with the times is essential for the progression of your business.

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