In this episode, Jon and Steve are joined by three people working across investment, education, and business support — all with a front-row seat to the founder journey:

💼 Alasdair Greig – Director, North Star Ventures

🏛️ Lizzie Withington – Head of Enterprise, Newcastle University

📈 Julie Cuthbertson – Head of Client Delivery, UMi

Together, they explore what founders really need – beyond just capital and guidance. The conversation covers brutal honesty, emotional weight, and the power of collaborative support.

We discuss:

• The unspoken pressures of leadership and expectation

• What makes advice actually helpful (and what doesn’t)

• Why founders need space to be honest – and heard

• The gaps between what founders say and what they really feel

• Building trust, not just tick-box support

It’s an unfiltered conversation that brings fresh insight into how we can build better businesses by building better ecosystems.

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🎧 Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast bringing together founders, doers, and big thinkers for honest conversations over a pint. It’s not about jargon – it’s about what really matters in business.

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube

🔔 Follow the podcast to catch new episodes

🎙️ Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet

In this episode, Jon and Steve are joined by three North East founders who believe storytelling is more than marketing — it’s how we make sense of who we are and what we’re building:

📖 David Broom – Founder of B7

🎨 Ellen Hedley – Co-Founder of Vida Creative

📣 Rachel McBryde – Founder of McBryde & Co

Together, they explore how the stories we tell — and don’t tell — shape our confidence, decisions, and long-term success.

We discuss:

• The moments that give us permission to begin

• Why vulnerability builds credibility

• Building businesses later in life (and why that’s powerful)

• The pressure to appear polished — and how to resist it

• How storytelling fuels culture, connection, and clarity

This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever questioned if their story is worth telling. (Spoiler: it is.)

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🎧 Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast about the real stuff behind running a business — hosted by co-founders Jon Dudgeon and Steve Robinson.

🌐 Watch the full video on YouTube

🔔 Follow to get future episodes as soon as they drop

🎙️ Two Pints of Lager and a SpreadsheetIn this episode, Jon and Steven are joined by three of the North East’s finest minds in tax: Adrian O'Connell, Gary Smith and Nick Gray.Together, they unpack the myths around tax advice, explain why you can’t afford to DIY your tax planning, and give some home truths about how bad decisions—or no decisions—can impact your exit valuation.👥 They cover: • Why great tax advice isn’t just about saving money • The difference between tax compliance and proactive planning • Why pensions and SIPP strategies aren’t just for retirement • What HMRC’s current focus means for R&D claims and inheritance tax • How changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief and CGT are impacting founders • The importance of getting the right advice at the right time—especially at the start🎯 This is a must-listen for startup founders, growth-focused business owners, and anyone thinking about an exit or fundraising.

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🎙️ Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast bringing together founders, doers, and big thinkers for honest conversations over a pint. It’s not about jargon – it’s about what really matters in business.

👀 Watch the full episode on YouTube

🔔 Follow the podcast to hear future episodes first

In this episode of Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet, Jon and Steve are joined by three powerhouse women from the North East business scene:

💚 Clare Blunt – Founder of Venture Zero

🌍 Sarah Thackray – Co-Founder of BeaconHouse Events

♻️ Mandy Barker – Founder & Creative Director of Sail Creative

From climate anxiety to cultural shifts, this is a conversation that goes far beyond balance sheets. The group talk openly about what it means to lead with purpose, the messy middle of business ownership, and the strength it takes to challenge the norm.

We discuss:

• Why purpose-led business isn’t just a trend – it’s the future

• How to create real impact in your industry

• Balancing passion with profit

• Loneliness in leadership and imposter syndrome

• The hidden pressure of hustle culture

With real talk, plenty of laughs and a few uncomfortable truths, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building something that matters.

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🎙️ Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast bringing together founders, doers, and big thinkers for honest conversations over a pint. It’s not about jargon – it’s about what really matters in business.

👀 Watch the full episode on YouTube

🔔 Follow the podcast to hear future episodes first

🎙️ Welcome to a brand-new season of Two Pints of Lager and A Spreadsheet!

In this episode, we’re joined by Gill Hunter (Square One Law), Elaine Stroud (The Entrepreneurs Forum), and Dave Gibson (Blu Sky Co-Founder & Chairman) as we dive into the world of business podcasting.

We explore:

🔹 What they’ve learned from starting and running their own podcasts

🔹 The biggest surprises and challenges along the way

🔹 The value of podcasting as a tool for storytelling, networking, and learning

🔹 Their favourite moments (and what they wish they knew before starting)

Whether you’re thinking about starting a podcast or just love hearing behind-the-scenes insights from business leaders, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

🎧 Listen now to hear the lessons from Two Pints of Lager and A Spreadsheet, Fear Less, Do More, and A Cast of Entrepreneurs!

We're joined by Co-founder of Jena and LeSalon, Jean-Michel Chalayer. We explore the link between growing up multilingual and thriving in the world of business. We delve into the importance of empathy, problem-solving, and a growth mindset. The conversation also covers the power of MVPs for testing ideas and managing risk, the importance of adaptability, and the challenges faced when building and selling a business.

We're joined by Fractional CIO, CTO, IT Director and founder of Gray Fox Consulting, Alistair McLeod. Hear about his journey as a programmer, from joining Sage in the early days when they were still a start up, to launching his own business. We discuss a whole range of topics including, being mindful of the change that comes with growth, expanding your horizons, determination and putting your mind to it. Along with how tech is not just an enabler, but a business problem solver, and the future of AI, how it will accelerate humans and support them to be as productive as possible.

We’re joined by Co-founder and CEO of Macrofin, Ross Latta. You’ll hear us discuss the FinTech space, NetSuite consultancy, and ERP implementations. We also discuss fostering a growth mindset, building a collaborative work environment, emotional intelligence, and the befits of a hybrid work model.