Good morning,
I want to reflect on something exciting that happened this week, I gave a keynote at A&M in central London, to colleagues across their global workforce, and most of it was about the people who made me. I looked back over my own life and asked what it actually means to honour our communities during Black History Month. Gratitude is part of it, though I think the real honour is in building on what they started rather than simply admiring it.
So I’ll leave you with the same question I left that room with. Think about the communities that shaped you: the people you learnt from, the ones who opened doors, corrected you, believed in you before you’d done anything to deserve it. What did they give you? And what are you doing to give back, or to pay it forward to whoever comes next?
In this episode Mike sits down with Farouk Braimoh, founder of RWRK Studio, a London streetwear label built as a direct response to global textile waste.
Farouk takes us through his journey from Burberry to launching his own studio: spotting gaps in the market, reimagining towels and linen as something people actually want to wear, and the story behind the Louis Vuitton cease and desist.
He also shares honest advice on building a sustainable fashion brand that is also a successful business, and on the realities of entrepreneurship that rarely make it onto Instagram.
You're More Than Your Job: Finding Meaning in a World That Never Stops // Sope Agbelusi.
In this episode Sope sits down with Mike for a conversation about work, identity, ambition, and the uncomfortable journey of becoming who you're meant to be.
Together, Sope and Mike explore the deeper questions behind personal growth: finding meaning beyond work, navigating uncertainty, and understanding the mental and spiritual shifts that happen when you step outside your comfort zone.
Barclays to cut 5,000 jobs as AI reshapes banking.
Barclays is cutting 5,000 jobs, around 5% of its global workforce, as the bank leans on artificial intelligence to bring down costs.
About 60% of the cuts will fall on support roles, including software developers. The total includes 1,000 jobs already cut in the first half of the year, with the rest due by the end of 2026.
The bank announced the cuts alongside its third-quarter results on Thursday, reporting pre-tax profits of £2.3 billion. Barclays said it was cutting its cost base to free up money for investment, and pointed to a simpler structure and AI-driven efficiency. It is the latest major lender to shrink its workforce as the technology spreads through the banking industry.
Venezuelans take to the streets demanding elections.
Thousands of Venezuelans marched on Thursday in the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years, demanding free elections and other political changes.
The protests were organised by Vente Venezuela, the movement of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, and took place in major cities including Caracas, Valencia and Maracaibo.
Both Trump and interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy, have said elections will happen but have not set a date. Machado, who has been outside the country for nearly a year, says a vote must take place by July 2027. Demonstrators also called for her safe return and the release of political prisoners.
We are getting ready for a range of events with Hyphen, our private members community for multi-hyphenate creatives. If you haven’t joined yet, now is a good time to explore what membership could mean for you.
Have an amazing weekend,
Community Lead,
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