James has worked in audio since 1989 as an award-winning writer, radio presenter, and internet strategist. In 2005, He launched the world’s first streaming radio smartphone app for the original Virgin Radio in London, launching the first daily podcast from a UK radio station earlier that year. In 2007 he joined the BBC, achieving a dramatic increase in the audio quality of the BBC’s online radio streams, and heading up the team that re-architected the BBC’s websites for tv and radio programmes. A founder of the open hybrid radio technology association RadioDNS, James has also contributed to the open Podcasting 2.0 project.

Part of the team that laid the foundations for Radioplayer, he has since worked for a variety of businesses across the world. A co-founder, with Matt Deegan, of Next Radio, the UK radio ideas conference, James has worked with the world’s largest radio conference, Radiodays Europe, since its inception.

He has also helped program Radiodays Asia and Podcast Day 24, as well as being on the advisory board for The Podcast Show London for its first four years. In 2025, James was awarded the inaugural Ambies International Impact Award from The Podcast Academy. He is an Associate Member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and was made an Honorary Life Member of the UK’s Student Radio Association. At Virgin Radio, he helped the team win two Webby Awards in 2005 (both the judges’ Webby Winner and the People’s Voice winner). 

Ruth Fitzsimons is Director of Digital at Bauer Media Ireland, responsible for digital transformation including GoLoud podcast network and podcasts across the radio group. Former Head of International at Sport Social Podcast Network, Managing Director of Podfront UK, (JV between Stitcher and Wondery), and SVP International Operations at Audioboom. Previously award-winning radio producer for BBC, LBC, RTÉ and Newstalk.

Shaun became the VP of Podcast Sales at Audioboom in early 2024. With nearly 20 years of experience in commercial advertising teams,Shaun first joined Audioboom in 2017. Having been promoted to Head of UK Sales, Shaun then moved onto leadership roles at Sony Music UK and Spotify, focusing on strategically growing podcast product revenue. Over the last eight years Shaun has helped support some of the most popular podcasts in the country such as Parenting Hell, The Louis Theroux Podcast, No Such Thing As A Fish, Out To Lunch and David Tennant Does A Podcast With.

Carrie Lieberman is the Chief Operating Officer of iHeartPodcasts, where she oversees the network’s business and revenue operations and drives the overall growth strategy for iHeart’s industry-leading slate of content. She also leads the development of derivative adaptations and manages all talent and partner relations across the network.

iHeartPodcasts is the No. 1 podcast publisher globally. During her tenure, Lieberman has played a central role in launching some of the company’s most influential initiatives, including the Big Money Players comedy network with Will Ferrell, the first-of-its-kind TikTok podcast network, and major co-production partnerships with Pushkin Industries, Exactly Right Media, the NFL and Bloomberg.

Committed to expanding representation in audio, Lieberman also helped drive the creation of The Black Effect Network in 2020—the world’s largest podcast network dedicated to Black voices—and later My Cultura, the fastest-growing network spotlighting Latinx creators and stories.  Lieberman is recognized for her leadership in scaling creative businesses, forging high-impact partnerships, and shaping the future of audio.

Bernard Achampong is a media entrepreneur and Chair of AudioUK, with a focus on building original intellectual property (IP) across podcasts, radio and TV. He leads Unedited, a production company acclaimed for its award-winning content and strategic industry partnerships. Bernard champions new voices through Unedited’s Pilot Season campaign and academic initiatives. His extensive work history includes collaborations with major platforms such as the BBC, Audible, and Spotify as well as global brands. He is a respected advisor on strategy, production and audience development. He is a frequent speaker on creative leadership, the value of distinct voices, and guiding businesses toward sustainable growth in the audio sector. His significant contributions to the UK audio industry were recently recognised with a Radio Academy Fellowship.

Arielle Nissenblatt is a podcast industry enthusiast, creator advocate, and content strategist. She is the founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective and Head of Community & Content at Pinwheel by Audily, where she helps creators and brands bring mission-driven shows to life. Arielle hosts Trailer Park: The Podcast Trailer Podcast and Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You, a short-form series offering practical (and occasionally chaotic) guidance. She’s also a licensed NYC tour guide and runs Nisstory Tours, which blends local history, storytelling, and community. A Board of Governors member at The Podcast Academy, Arielle regularly speaks at podcasting conferences around the world. Her work centers on connecting people through creativity and conversation.

Megan Bradshaw is the Head of Spoken Word for Amazon Music for Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and a PhD candidate in Creative and Critical Writing at the University of East Anglia. Her doctoral thesis, The True Crime Podcast Industry: Creators, Production, and Power, examines the feminist and production politics of true crime podcasts. Megan serves as a Trustee of the Norwich Unity Hub, a charity based in Carrow House—formerly the Coleman’s mustard factory—supporting the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector through affordable, accessible creative spaces. She is also the Podcast Sponsor for Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund, which will support two UK charities and their podcast projects next year. She has lived in Dublin, Paris, and Buenos Aires, and now calls Norwich home.

Arif Noorani is the Director of CBC Podcasts. He co-founded the studio in 2015 and has helped create more than 50 award-winning and internationally recognized series including international hits Someone Knows Something and 35+ seasons of Uncover. He has been at the forefront of audio, podcasting and content innovation focussed on telling stories that are contemporary and relevant.

Steve Ackerman is a Media Executive and Entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience across audio, entertainment and digital content in the UK and USA. He was co-owner of Somethin’ Else, helping grow it from a small audio studio into an award-winning, multi-platform content company, acquired by Sony Music Entertainment in 2021. Following the acquisition, Steve led Sony Music’s Global Podcast Division from New York, overseeing international strategy, creative output and commercial growth.

He began his career in radio as a presenter and producer, a background that continues to shape his focus on creativity, culture and commercial impact. Steve is now a Non-Executive Director, advisor and consultant, working with boards and leadership teams across media, entertainment and the creator economy.

He is a Fellow of the UK Radio Academy and has been repeatedly named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “40 Most Powerful People in Podcasting”. He’s a plodding runner, West Ham fan and dad to three kids who are now bigger than him.