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Kate Hardcastle MBE

Founding partner Kate Hardcastle MBE is an in-demand business and consumer expert and has added her unique brand of knowledgeable commentary to hundreds of interviews for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky News and CNN.

She has also presented and provided expertise for leading consumer shows including BBC1s Rip Off Britain and What Britain Bought (Channel 4), earning her the title of The Customer Whisperer™, and is also a regular on Radio channels BBC 2, BBC 4, BBC 5 Live and numerous commercial stations.
An in-demand business speaker on topics including consumer behaviour, developing talent, women in business and strategic alliances, Kate has been a speaker at over 200 international events. This include Retail World Congress, Arabian Business Conference and The Business Show, alongside a wide selection of fellow speakers such as former POTUS Bill Clinton and Joanna Lumley OBE.
A community champion and founder of several charitable initiatives, Kate is the driving force behind Insight with Passions Access for All commitment, which sees the business donate a 20% back to good causes. Read more about Access for All here.
Kate has been recognised for her work and philanthropy through 27 awards, including a MBE in the 2018 New Year Honours list, for her services to business and entrepreneurship and the Prime Ministers Point of Light Award.
as seen on and featured in

  • "The team brought their commitment, passion and expertise to bear in a way that really helped these businesses when they were facing really challenging times. Our team also learnt from the partnership and we will take this forward in or work"

    Eve Roodhouse, CO Economic Development

  • "Kate’s unique insight into the retail landscape was timely and on target to help our community understand the challenges ahead."

  • "Kate’s presentation and speaking style are both very natural and professional and she combined personal anecdotes, practical concepts, tools and advice with sage advice that was interesting, insightful and relevant."

  • "Kate’s unique insight into the retail landscape was timely and on target to help our community understand the challenges ahead."

  • "IWP have worked really closely with multiple areas of the business, visiting hubs and depots, listening into calls and spending time with agents and managers across a number of months ... they have been friendly, approachable and accessible throughout our journey"

  • "As a start up, with a challenging story to tell, DiaryDoll are so grateful to Insight with Passion - and their Access for All scheme - they have helped us open doors and minds, thank you! "

    Diary Doll

  • “The Retail Queen - Kate Hardcastle”

    Radio 4

  • "Kate is the ultimate professional. With a serious amount of knowledge, coupled with the ability to debate the industry's biggest trends and challenges, she was the perfect host for Seamless Europe this year"

  • "Many thanks for your contribution once again to the business session at conference – I have had some great feedback from delegates and you left them wanting more!! We have been very pleased with the feedback and we received of 99% Excellent or Good from delegates.”

    The Advantage Travel Partnership

  • “As an association committed to supporting Farm Shops across the UK, it’s been really helpful to be part of the Access for All scheme. Being able to connect our members with Kate’s expertise and knowledge has been a fantastic resource – especially throughout the challenges that 2020 had to offer! The insights have helped our members take a fresh look at their businesses and make positive plans for the future.”

    The Farm Retail Association

  • "I take my hat off to you for making this feel like I was listening a friend talking to a friend. Very natural but so so interesting & inspiring"

  • "We have many emails from delegates, staff and local businesses, telling us that they really enjoyed listening to Kate and found her inspiring. She helped us put on a fabulous Conference"

  • “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Kate & the team at IWP, from the initial brief through to the successful completion of the project, their customer centric approach was exemplary.”

    Seiko

  • "Kate’s presentation and speaking style are both very natural and professional and she combined personal anecdotes, practical concepts, tools and advice with sage advice that was interesting, insightful and relevant."

  • “IWP have helped us take a fresh look at our business and brand. Their retail expertise, coupled with a real understanding of consumer marketing have been an invaluable asset to make impactful changes to our business strategy.”

    Matthew Easter, Managing Director Trutex Ltd

  • "Kate Hardcastle has supported Financial Times conferences as a panellist, host, and interviewer. She is a skilful moderator and speaker who livens-up the drier topics and invariably contributes a fresh take on the critical issues facing the retail industry."

    Jeff Wagner, Head of Content, Financial Times