Ignite & Scale - The Cambria Private Capital Podcast with Mike Allen

This week, Mike talks to Ryan Mendy.Growing up in East London, Ryan Mendy went on to become an entrepreneur, investor and business ecosystem builder who has spent more than two decades at the intersection of capital markets, technology and high-growth companies.Having held senior roles at Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and across the public markets, advising on IPOs, corporate transactions and growth companies in London and New York, Ryan later helped the founders of Zilch build the business from concept to the UK and EMEA's fastest-growing fintech unicorn. He also co-founded and co-chairs the Unicorn Council for UK Fintech, the market-first coalition of leading fintech founders and CEOs working to help make Britain the best place in the world to start, scale and list a fintech company.In a wide-ranging and philosophical conversation, Mike and Ryan explore what really drives growth, why technology changes rapidly while human behaviour changes slowly, and what separates companies that ignite from those that genuinely scale. Drawing on lessons from capital markets, entrepreneurship and fintech, they discuss product-market fit, trust, incentives, fundraising, leadership and the enduring importance of removing friction from customers' lives.Drawing on decades spent advising founders, CEOs and investors, Ryan also shares his perspective on why the UK consistently produces world-class entrepreneurs but retains too little of the long-term economic upside, the role of capital in building global champions, and why trust may be the most undervalued form of capital in modern business. From Amazon and NVIDIA to Zilch and the next generation of British technology companies, this is a conversation about growth, resilience, human behaviour and building businesses that endure.🔁 Connect & Subscribe• Follow Ignite & Scale on Spotify / Apple• Discover more at cambriaprivatecapital.com• Follow Mike Allen for future episodes & insights© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of Ignite & Scale, Mike Allen sits down with Ken Cumming, founder of Redhead Automotive, a consultancy renowned for transforming dealer profitability across the UK and Northern Europe.Ken brings decades of operational experience—from Toyota GB to global consulting with ASE—and shares powerful, no-nonsense insights on what actually drives results in the automotive retail world. If you’re a founder selling into OEMs or dealers, this episode is essential listening.What we cover:🔧 Ken’s journey from the shop floor to founding Redhead Automotive📊 Why most consultants miss the mark—and how Ken’s team stays grounded in the real world💥 How to unlock hidden margin in aftersales through workshop efficiency, diary management, and people performance🌍 Lessons from Norway and the Nordics: What EV adoption and cultural nuance teach us about aftersales strategy💡 How SaaS founders can better pitch ROI to dealerships—ditch the feature lists, focus on time-saving and decision accelerationKen’s approach is practical, human-centred, and laser-focused on making dealer operations more profitable—fast.Connect with Ken:👉 www.redhead-automotive.comMore episodes at:🎧 www.cambriaprivatecapital.com© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.

🔥 Episode Overview:In this high-impact episode, Mike sits down with Ashley Tott—entrepreneur, investor, and one of Sweden’s most sought-after scale-up advisors. With a background in corporate finance, private equity, and board leadership, Ashley brings sharp insight into how founder-led businesses can break through the €10m turnover ceiling and achieve repeatable, structured growth.From recruiting his first Chair at just 27 to helping dozens of businesses install world-class board frameworks, Ashley shares why governance done right isn’t boring—it’s a growth weapon.🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why so many founder-led businesses stall at the 100M SEK (~£7.5m) revenue markThe three core elements of a high-performance boardWhat Ashley learned from private equity (3i) and global brands (Specsavers, Andersen)How to balance founder freedom with structure—and avoid burnoutWhy founders should treat the board as an accelerator, not a blockerHow to spot (and fix) the biggest governance blind spots in your businessPractical advice for CEOs: how to choose the right Chair, and when to bring one in🔑 Key Takeaways:“You can’t fix everything. Focus on what matters—and work relentlessly on it.” – Ashley TottScaling isn’t just about sales—it’s about structure.Founders don’t need to be ‘controlled’ by boards—they need to be supported by them.A great Chair is your growth co-pilot, not a corporate cop.👤 About Ashley Tott:Ashley is Co-Founder at Scalex Growth Partners, where he helps Swedish small businesses scale past 100M SEK through structured board development and founder enablement. A qualified chartered accountant and former private equity investor, Ashley brings 20+ years of cross-sector experience to his advisory and Chair roles. He’s known for his fun, entrepreneurial energy—and for making governance both accessible and impactful.🔗 Learn more: www.scalexgp.se🔗 Connect & Subscribe:Follow Ignite & Scale for more conversations with founders, operators, and growth leaders who’ve built and backed great companies.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms🌐 Learn more at: www.cambriaprivatecapital.com© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.

Ignite & Scale – Final Episode of Series 2In the final episode of Ignite & Scale Season 2, Mike sits down with Dave Timmis, founder of Leasing.com, to discuss his 25-year journey in the UK car leasing industry. From the early days of ContractHireAndLeasing.com to leading the UK’s largest car leasing comparison platform, Dave shares valuable insights into: • The Evolution of Leasing.com: How the industry has shifted from classified ads in car magazines to a fully digital marketplace that connects millions of UK lessees with leasing providers. • Navigating Industry Shifts: The impact of Brexit, COVID-19, supply chain shortages, and how Leasing.com stayed ahead through technology and market adaptability. • The Growth of EV Leasing: Despite reduced subsidies, electric vehicles (EVs) now make up 26.4% of leasing enquiries—why more consumers are making the switch. • Consumer Trends in 2024: Shorter leasing terms, rising demand for used car leasing, and why compact SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson dominate the market. • What’s Next for Leasing.com: The future of car leasing, growing demand for subscription-based vehicle ownership, and why Dave believes leasing is the future of mobility. Key Insights from the Leasing.com 2024 Insights Report We also dig into Leasing.com’s 2024 market report, covering: • Average monthly leasing costs have dropped from £373 in 2023 to £342 in 2024, making leasing more attractive. • Top leased models: The Nissan Qashqai, Tesla Model Y, and Volkswagen ID.3 lead the rankings. • Business vs. Personal Leasing: 79.5% of leases are personal (average £322/month), while business leasing remains resilient (average £420/month). • Fuel Type Trends: Petrol leads at 49.8%, but EV adoption is growing rapidly, rising from 19.9% in Q1 to 31.1% in Q4 of 2024. • Rise of Used Car Leasing: More drivers are opting for pre-leased vehicles, benefiting from lower costs and immediate availability. 👉 Download the full Leasing.com Insights Report 2024 for a deeper dive into these trends. The best way to reach Dave Timmis is via LinkedIn: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-timmis-265468b/ Final Thoughts & What’s Next This marks the end of Season 2 of Ignite & Scale. Thanks for tuning in! Stay connected via: 🌍 Website: www.cambriaprivatecapital.com 📢 LinkedIn: Follow for updates on Season 3! 🚗 If you’re interested in the latest leasing deals, visit Leasing.com This episode is packed with actionable advice for founders, investors, and anyone looking to scale with intention.© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.

Jeff Barnes, Managing Partner at Angel Investor Network and Host of Angels, Exits, & AcquisitionsIn this episode of Ignite & Scale - The Cambria Private Capital Podcast, Mike Allen sits down with Jeff Barnes to unpack his FOCUS framework—a powerful tool for entrepreneurs and investors alike. They explore:• FOCUS Framework: Jeff’s step-by-step approach to building clarity and alignment in your business.• Scaling with Precision: How to leverage focus to grow your business sustainably.• Angel Investing Insights: What Jeff looks for in founders and why focus is a key differentiator.• Generational Wealth Transfer: How to prepare for the historic $68 trillion wealth shift.• Entrepreneurial Lessons: Jeff’s candid take on what makes businesses succeed—or fail.Jeff also discusses his podcast, Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions, which dives deeper into these topics with leaders in investment and entrepreneurship.Key Quote:“FOCUS isn’t just a word—it’s a system. When you follow it, you eliminate distractions, drive growth, and create long-term value.” – Jeff BarnesConnect with Jeff Barnes:• Angel Investor Network Website• LinkedIn: Jeff Barnes• Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions PodcastThis episode is packed with actionable advice for founders, investors, and anyone looking to scale with intention. © Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, Mike is joined by William Taaffe, Chief Operating Officer at Lockdown Cyber Security, to explore the critical topic of cybersecurity for modern business leaders. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the threats that companies face. William shares valuable insights into the current cybersecurity challenges and offers practical advice on how businesses can proactively protect themselves.Key Topics Covered:• The Urgency of Cybersecurity: Why every business, no matter its size, should prioritise cybersecurity.• Understanding Cyber Threats: William explains common threats facing organisations today and how they are constantly evolving.• Building a Secure Foundation: Tips on implementing essential security practices, from staff training to robust security tools.• Incident Response: Best practices for managing breaches and minimising damage.This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to strengthen their cybersecurity approach and safeguard their organisations.🔗 For more information on cybersecurity services, visit Lockdown Cyber Security.© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.