Lorna Cobbett: Founder of Blue John, How trauma led me to become a female founder

Check out Lorna’s LinkedIn here:

https://bit.ly/3YkbToR

Episode Guest

Meet Lorna Cobbett, Founder at Blue John.

Lorna founded Blue John, a reputation management consultancy, in 2024 following a 12-year career in strategic communications.

A former investment banker, she started her career in 2001 in London and spent eight years working for Citi and Goldman Sachs. Lorna’s career in strategic communications included being a Partner at Bell Pottinger, Managing Director at Hawthorn Advisors, and UK CEO at Citigate Dewe Rogerson.

Lorna is a senior, trusted advisor for companies and leaders across a range of sectors and works with public companies, private companies, and start-ups.

She has extensive experience in reputation management, transactions, crisis and change management.

Outside of work, Lorna is married with 8-year-old triplets (Roman, Essie and Eva). Essie was life limited and will be forever 18 months old.

Lorna and her family support Chestnut Tree House, the children’s hospice that Essie went to, and she also is a parent ambassador for Together for Short Lives. She is a passionate social mobility champion and a founder member of The 93% Professionals.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Personal Philosophy

03:01 Career Journey: From McDonald's to Tesco

05:54 The Importance of Learning and Adaptability

09:12 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Corporate Challenges

12:04 Navigating New Work Environments

15:08 The Impact of Labels and Societal Expectations

17:55 Transitioning from Investment Banking to Entrepreneurship

21:01 The Birth of Blue John and Its Mission

23:51 Personal Loss and Its Influence on Life Perspective

26:46 Empathy and Support for Others

30:10 Life Lessons and Career Reflections

33:11 Essie's Legacy and Motivation

35:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode Partner

Blue John is a reputation management consultancy for companies and leaders facing growth or change.

They advise brands to ‘start with your truth’ and deliver reputation management consultancy through advisory, strategic communications, transaction support or change management.

Often it is a combination of all these areas, as Blue John recognise that each company (or leader) is on their own journey, and it is rarely linear.

Blue John is there to stand alongside brands, however and whenever they need them.

Everything for reputation, for reputation is everything.

www.wearebluejohn.com

Support Links: https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/