A crisis can come in many forms. But whatever it looks like, one thing is certain: businesses need to be prepared. White Swan: The Crisis Podcast sees host Gavin Megaw joined by Gary Cleland of Hanover and Karen White of National in Canada to talk with a super special guest to look at crises from all angles to explain how senior business leaders stay on top of things during those tense, headline-making moments.

Each episode of White Swan will feature an in-depth conversation with a senior figure from the world of business, who will tell us about their crisis experiences, give you the lessons you need to hear, and emphasise the importance of a nice cup of tea and a sit down.

White Swan is brought to you by Hanover Communications. Find out more at HanoverComms.com.

Episodes

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Thomas Hurd: Inside COBRA - the UK government's crisis engine

December 15th, 2022 — 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...

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Tom Greatrex: A political culture geared to crisis and why nuclear is the answer

December 9th, 2022 — 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...

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Kate Miller and Helen Sauntson: How Leaders Can Navigate The Gender Bias Crisis

April 21st, 2022 — 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...

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Bruce Daisley: Building Resilient Leaders

February 14th, 2022 — In Episode 12 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast we talk with Bruce Daisley - podcaster, best-selling author, former VP at Twitter and expert on workplace culture. Bruce and Gavin Megaw focus on the topic of resilience: what it is (and, indeed, what it isn’t), and how you cannot be resilient on...

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James Bielby: Navigating A Perfect Storm in Food & Drink

December 16th, 2021 — In Episode 11 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we talk to James Bielby, Chief Executive of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors. The FWD’s members distribute food and drink to more than half-a-million businesses, and over the last two years they have faced a seemingly never-ending wave of...

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Jo-Anne Poirier: How Transparency and Empathy Can Help Guide Your Team Through Crises

November 8th, 2021 — On Episode Ten of White Swan: The Crisis Podcase, we hear from Jo-Anne Poirier, CEO of VON Canada, an organisation that has provided home and community care to more than 10,000 people throughout Canada for more than 120 years. VON has faced an array of crises that could have seen off a...

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Farrah Storr: The Fine Line: Bringing People With You In A Crisis

July 22nd, 2021 — Episode 9 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast sees Gavin Megaw speaking to Farrah Storr, Editor in Chief of Elle UK. Farrah also launched Women’s Health UK and is one of the most influential editors around. She has the awards to prove it – having been named BSME Editor of the Year three times, most...

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Lord Richard Wilson: Lessons from the Heart of Government During 9/11

June 28th, 2021 — Episode 8 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast sees Gavin Megaw joined by Richard Wilson, the former Cabinet Secretary and most senior civil servant in the United Kingdom when Tony Blair was Prime Minister. In a fascinating and open conversation, Richard talks about the vital role that COBRA plays...

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Steve Elworthy: How Being An All-Rounder Helps Control A Crisis

May 25th, 2021 — Episode 7 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast with Steve Elworthy MBE, the Managing Director of Events & Special Projects at the England & Wales Cricket Board. Steve talks about how his international test cricket career has influenced his administrative career, including his role as...

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Dr Jessica Barker: Tackling a Cyber Security Crisis

April 22nd, 2021 — In episode 6 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we speak to Dr Jessica Barker, co-founder and co-CEO of cyber security agency Cygenta. Jessica is a respected leader on the human side of cyber security, and a go-to expert on the growing threat that every business faces from cyber-attacks. Jessica...

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David Davis MP: Being At The Centre of a Political Crisis

April 1st, 2021 — In episode 5 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we speak with David Davis MP, former Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union and member of parliament for Haltemprice & Howden. In a wide-ranging, open and honest conversation, host Gavin Megaw talks with David about how the Government...

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Sarah Binder: How Pizza Hut Handled The Covid Crisis

February 24th, 2021 — In episode 4 of White Swan, The Crisis Podcast, Gavin Megaw talks with Sarah Binder, Chief Development Officer at Pizza Hut. When the Covid-19 crisis first hit, every business had to react quickly to cope with a changing business environment. Pizza Hut were no different – with restaurants closed...

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Ian Walker: Tapping into the Power of the Press

January 27th, 2021 — For episode 3 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we’re joined by Ian Walker, Executive Editor, MailOnline. Ian talks about his early days in journalism and how a quest to be the first to publish the results of the local darts league helped shape his approach to journalism as a young reporter. He...

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Emma Tottenham: Prevention is Better than Cure

December 15th, 2020 — For the second episode of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we’re joined by Emma Tottenham, Group Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability of Virgin Money. Emma talks about her own journey to the top table at Virgin Money, how she and her team work to spot the trends that might...

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Phil Maher: The Three C’s of Crisis Management

November 27th, 2020 — This week we’re joined by former Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Atlantic, Phil Maher. Phil talks us through his crisis approach, and explains his “three c’s” of crisis management. We’ll hear in depth about how a trip to the ice skating rink with his son was interrupted to deal with an...