🎙️ Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet

In this episode, Steve and Jon are joined by three people working right at the centre of the North East’s startup, funding, and investment ecosystem:

💡 Jamie Hardesty – Director of Ecosystem Development, Sunderland Software City

💷 Naomi Allen Seales – Investment Manager, Northstar Ventures

📈 James Katirai – Head of Investments, NEL Fund Managers

Together, they share practical, no-nonsense advice for founders, spinouts, and anyone thinking about what comes next in their business or career journey.

The conversation focuses on what really matters before funding, scale, or growth ever come into play.

We discuss:

• Why doing the work upfront is essential

• The importance of validation, market research, and evidence

• Why building in a silo rarely works

• Having funding conversations earlier than you think

• The power of networks and collective momentum

• Avoiding analysis paralysis

• Trusting your instinct and taking action

This is an honest, experience-led conversation about belief, momentum, and putting yourself in the best possible position to succeed.

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🎧 Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast exploring the real stories, decisions, and lessons behind building and backing businesses across the North East and beyond.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

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🌐 Learn more at blusky.co.uk

🎙️ Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet

In this episode, Jon and Steve sit down with two leaders at the heart of North East sport and community:

🏀 Paul Blake – Managing Director, Newcastle Eagles

💛 Sam Blake – CEO, Eagles Community Foundation

Together, they talk openly about resilience, leadership, and what it means to build an organisation that can thrive long after you step back. From learning to let go of micromanagement to empowering the next tier of leaders, this is an honest look at legacy building inside a club that means so much to so many.

We discuss:

• Why resilience underpins everything they do

• The emotional shift from “lead by example” to true empowerment

• Letting go of micromanagement (even when it feels uncomfortable)

• Preparing the next generation of leaders

• Building something that lasts beyond any one person

A thoughtful, human conversation from two people who have spent decades guiding both a club and a community.

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🎧 Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast about the real stories behind leading, growing, and sustaining brilliant organisations.

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube

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🌐 Learn more at blusky.co.uk

Budget Breakdown – What Rachel Reeves’ Tax Changes Mean for You

In this Budget special, Josh and Steve unpack the key announcements affecting business owners, employees, landlords, and savers across the UK.

They cover:

• Dividend tax increases from April 2026

• Savings and rental income tax rises from April 2027

• A new annual tax on properties over £2M starting 2028

• Salary sacrifice changes for pension contributions above £2,000

• Cash ISA allowance cut from £20,000 to £12,000

• Frozen tax thresholds until 2031

• National Minimum Wage and Living Wage increases

• The new mileage-based EV tax coming in 2028

From remuneration strategy to ISA planning, from rental income to electric vehicles, Josh and Steve explain what’s changing, who it affects, and what you may need to plan for.

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🎧 Two Pints of Lager and a Spreadsheet is Blu Sky’s podcast breaking down the real-world business and tax changes that matter, hosted by the team at Blu Sky.

📺 Watch the video episode on YouTube

🌐 Learn more at blusky.co.uk

🔔 Follow for future Budget updates and insights