Speakers

Location

Portland Place
London

Date

10 February 2015

Time

-

The first Speakers Breakfast season of 2015 began with a celebrated business leader and an extraordinary young entrepreneur.

JUSTIN KING was CEO of Sainsbury’s for ten years until July 2014 – leading them through huge shifts in the market, diversification, the rise of online and cut-throat price wars. The Captains of Industry Report named him ‘Britain’s Most Impressive Businessman.’ Justin’s inspiration extends way beyond the world of retail.
At the age of 10, JOSH VALMAN designed his first robot. At 13 he sent off his designs and £500 savings to a factory in China to make the components. By 15 he was working as a freelance engineering consultant (- nobody asked his age). Five years later, he supplies some of the world’s largest manufacturers.

 

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Speakers

Justin King

Justin King

Former CEO, Sainsbury’s
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Justin King

Justin served as CEO of the retail giant for a decade, leading the 145-year old brand through huge shifts from the growth of online to the rise of discounters. He also pushed through the Nectar card, partnered with Jamie Oliver and brought in small convenience stores. In a down-to-earth style Justin weighs up the task of reviving true customer loyalty and bringing about culture change in large organisations: “It can be like an elastic band tied to a heavy object.”
Josh Valman

Josh Valman

The Future of Innovation
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Josh Valman

Entrepreneur and business strategist Josh, is the CEO at RPDK. He started designing and manufacturing at thirteen, was a consultant at fifteen, and in his early twenties headed an innovation and manufacturing strategy business. Josh seeks to disrupt established business models and challenges received wisdom on innovation strategy, out-sourcing and supply chain as well as how to become a more agile, creative business. He also looks at the future of R&D and technology.
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Ideas

Stress isn’t the enemy – it’s a signal. An invitation to listen.
Posted on 09.06.25 by Alice Law

Stress isn’t the enemy – it’s a signal. An invitation to listen.

In my twenties, stress was such a constant presence that it became woven into my every day. I didn’t question it, feeling anxious, distracted, overwhelmed, low in mood, racing thoughts – it… Read full article.
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How to Build a World-Class Innovation Culture
Posted on 28.05.25 by Chris Heemskerk

How to Build a World-Class Innovation Culture

Throughout my career at Google, I’ve come to realise that innovation isn’t born in a vacuum. It doesn’t happen just because someone in the corner office says it’s important or because a… Read full article.
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