Javed Khan and Simon Levine join James Ashton to discuss tough decision-making caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, prejudice at work and inspirational role models.

Javed Khan is chief executive of Barnardo’s, one of the UK’s largest charities which supports over 350,000 vulnerable children, families and carers each year. With roots going back to 1867, Barnardo’s today has 700 shops, 8,000 staff and 14,000 volunteers looking after children who have suffered from abuse or violence. The impact of Covid-19 on retail and fundraising means it must cut back some services.

Khan trained as a maths teacher, entering local government at Birmingham City Council and then becoming director of education at Harrow Council. After a civil service secondment, he was appointed chief executive of Victim Support in 2010 and has led Barnardo’s since 2014.

Simon Levine is global co-CEO of the law firm DLA Piper, which has lawyers in more than 40 countries and revenues last year in excess of £2bn. DLA’s clients include nearly half of the FTSE 350, governments and public sector bodies.

Levine’s expertise lies in intellectual property, media and sports law. He has advised pop stars and film studio heads in a 30-year career. He joined DLA in 2005 from Denton Wilde Sapte and was elected to lead by partners in 2015.

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