What happens when a top restaurateur sells his own name… and then buys it back for £7,000?

In this episode of Who’s Elvis Around Here, Chris sits down with legendary chef and restaurateur Mark Hix to unpack the highs, lows, and lessons from a life in hospitality.

From running multiple restaurants and leading hundreds of staff, to losing everything overnight during the pandemic, Mark shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship — and what he’s learned about creativity, leadership, and starting again.

We also dive into:

The story behind selling (and reclaiming) his name
How he developed chefs using his “Challenge Hix” method
Why creativity thrives under restriction
The pressures of running restaurants vs the freedom of a portfolio life
What he’s building next (including the return of Mark’s Bar 👀)

This is a candid, funny, and insightful conversation about reinvention, resilience, and doing things differently.

In this episode of Who’s Elvis Around Here?, Chris sits down with theatre producer, writer, and creative change-maker David Micklem to explore what it really takes to unlock human potential in organisations—and why creativity might be our greatest untapped superpower.

David shares his unique journey from running iconic institutions like Battersea Arts Centre to becoming a “fixer” for arts organisations navigating change. Together, they dive into powerful ideas around leadership, storytelling, and how the role of people in society has evolved—from subjects to consumers to citizens.

💡 In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Why modern organisations must move from hierarchy to participation
• How creativity isn’t a job title—it’s a human trait we’ve forgotten
• The importance of building daily creative habits (your “mental health gym”)
• What great leadership really looks like: “be yourself with skill”
• Why many leaders struggle to know who they truly are
• The impact of technology on our mindset—and how to reconnect with what matters
• Where hope actually lives in today’s chaotic world

From cultural democracy to the power of nature, this episode is packed with insight for leaders, creatives, and anyone looking to bring more energy, authenticity, and imagination into their work and life.

In this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by James Sills — choir leader, speaker and founder of Gather Sing — to explore the power of singing, creativity, and connection.

James has spent years bringing people together through music, helping audiences rediscover something many of us lost along the way: the confidence to use our voice.

We talk about how singing builds trust, why so many adults stop singing as they grow up, and how creating shared experiences through music can transform teams, communities and organisations.

James also shares the story of being asked to speak at TEDx Manchester with just 48 hours’ notice, and why some of the most important opportunities in life come from saying yes before you feel ready.

This conversation is about permission, creativity, and the courage to start before everything feels perfect.

Whether you love singing, lead teams, or just want to build deeper connections with the people around you, this episode is full of insights.