Episodes

  • 112: Karen Dee

    112: Karen Dee
    Nov 4 2025
    In this episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks with Karen Dee, CEO of Aiports UK, the trade association representing the interests of UK airports. The conversation covers growth in the aviation market, the challenge of decoupling emissions from demand, tackling the transport-wide skills crisis, leveraging high-value air freight and the critical role of retail revenue in supporting low-cost carriers.
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    34 mins
  • 111: Paul Whitnell

    111: Paul Whitnell
    Oct 7 2025
    In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon pops his head out of the transport bubble and speaks with a transport-adjacent guest: Paul Whitnell, president of the British Irish Trade Alliance (BITA), a trade and commerce business organisation who describe themselves as "people that know people who help people". Paul shares more about his philosophy when it comes to business and the BITA organisation, whose members across the construction, hospitality, rail and logistics industries help each other through collective wisdom and experience.
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    34 mins
  • 110: Andreas Schörling

    110: Andreas Schörling
    Sep 2 2025
    Leon learns more about the diverse career of transport leader Andreas Schörling, Senior Managing Director of Flixbus UK. Andreas, who lead the launch of Flixbus in the UK in 2021, discusses the company's ambitious plan to build the largest intercity coach network in the UK. The episode also touches on the evolving perception of coach travel, the transformative impact of AI on the transport industry and Andreas' take on work-life harmony.

    www.leondaniels.co.uk
    www.passengertransport.co.uk
    flixbus.co.uk
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    35 mins
  • 109: Nigel Holness

    109: Nigel Holness
    Aug 5 2025
    In this episode of Lunch with Leon, rail veteran Nigel Holness reflects on his 40-year career, from his early days as a signalling consultant on the London Underground to his current role as a leading transport consultant, advising on major global projects. Leon and Nigel discuss TfL's evolution, their experiences of the 7/7 London bombings, 2012 Olympics, and the establishment of the Elizabeth line. Nigel also shares his perspective on the challenges of systems integration and battery operation in rail.
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    36 mins
  • 108: Anna Earl

    108: Anna Earl
    Jul 22 2025
    Leon speaks with nutritionist Anna Earl about the challenges that transport workers face maintaining nutrition, hydration, and wellbeing. Anna shares her advice for workers on how to overcome these challenges and develop a healthier lifestyle.
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    31 mins
  • 107: Richard Smith

    107: Richard Smith
    Jul 10 2025
    In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon talks with Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) about the key issues facing the road freight industry, including the challenges of transitioning HGVs to Net Zero, the deteriorating condition of road infrastructure and the broader implications of AI. There's also plenty of good career advice from these two transport leaders throughout the podcast!

    https://www.rha.uk.net/
    https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
    https://www.leondaniels.co.uk/
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    37 mins
  • 106: Ben Plowden

    106: Ben Plowden
    Jun 10 2025
    In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks with Ben Plowden, the new Chief Executive of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). This lively conversation covers various hot topics in the transport industry - the potential softening of the green agenda, rail nationalisation and rail fare debates, the importance of regional connectivity and how to address car dependency. Leon also picks Ben's brains on the anticipated Integrated National Transport Strategy, and finds out more about CBT's Better Transport Week, taking place from 16th - 22nd June.

    https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
    https://bettertransport.org.uk/
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    34 mins
  • 105: David Astill

    105: David Astill
    May 20 2025
    Leon Daniels talks to David Astill, the new chairman of of ALBUM, the Association of Local Bus Managers (and Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport), just after their successful annual conference in Nottingham. David shares some of his highlights from the conference, as well as discussing the impact of local elections on transport policy, the importance of local ownership and management in the bus industry and ALBUM's future under his stewardship, and with Alex Perry as policy advisor.
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    32 mins