Leading Leaders: The Art of Influencing High-Performing People

Julia is a broadcaster, political commentator, corporate event host and business trainer. She has been covering news, current affairs and entertainment for BBC Three for three years and before this she featured weekly on BBC 5 Live – discussing the newspaper headlines and the latest breaking news.

She hosted a BBC election show, diving into key voter topics, as well as a TED Talk titled “The Secret to Being Right” which was instantly selected amongst TED’s “Editor’s Picks.”

She has interviewed some of the most influential figures in politics and business, on a range of topics from general elections to generative AI.

She runs the London community of Blend as well as the members’ exclusive Blend Book Club, interviewing prolific business authors and sharing key learnings from a range of titles covering topics like leadership, negotiation, DEI, productivity and handling difficult issues.

As Co-founder and CEO, Steve brings a wealth of experience in both entrepreneurship and executive leadership, fueling Blend’s mission to foster growth, collaboration, and innovation among its members helping them to break down silos and unlock the power of cognitive diversity.

With a background rooted in business strategy, events and technology, Steve is deeply passionate about harnessing the power of community to elevate individual and organizational success. His strategic insights, coupled with a relentless dedication to fostering meaningful connections, have helped propel Blend as the premier destination for executives from enterprise seeking to expand their networks and amplify their impact.

Steve’s leadership philosophy is centered on the belief that true success is achieved through collective empowerment and shared knowledge. Under his guidance, Blend has evolved into a vibrant membership ecosystem where executives from diverse industries come together to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Prior to co-founding Blend, Steve held key leadership roles in the events and technology sector, where he honed his skills in building high-performing teams and driving transformative change.

Blend is poised to redefine the future of executive networking and development, providing a membership platform where leaders can thrive, connect, and shape the future of business together.