Friday May 17, 2024

Victor Adebowale: Nigerian Chicken Stew

Today’s guest is not just a social business leader, he is also a policy wonk, a tech entrepreneur, and a crossbench (non political) Peer.

Born and bred in Wakefield, Victor dropped out of school and worked as a road sweeper before branching into council housing management and getting his first CEO role aged 24. He ran increasingly complex social enterprises and joined the House of Lords where he advocates important neglected issues. He currently sits on the board of the Co-op Group and chairs the NHS Confederation. He also chairs Visionable, a video and data tech platform designed to bring healthcare to everyone, everywhere.

Victor’s chosen dish is one of comfort: Nigerian chicken stew. Growing up this was his Sunday lunch, and an opportunity for his parent’s Yoruban roots to shine through in food.

It’s a dish with many variations, and we explore the impatient cook’s version along with the slower, more detailed way to cook it in part 2 of the episode.

Bon Appétit!

“Enjoy leadership and food because they don’t last forever” – Victor Adebowale

You’ll hear about:

02:06 – An introduction to Victor

12:26 – The inverse care law

15:26 – Why 9/11 was so important for Victor

18:30 – Politicians are in the wrong job

19:20 – Victor’s desert island dish

24:33 – You can’t cut your way to growth

29:49 – Why Empathy is a fundamental quality

40:31 – Part 2 – Nigerian Chicken Stew recipes

44:40 – The bish bash bosh version