hello@thegrowthhouse.co.uk

The Growth House Team

Ben Fennell

Ben Fennell, CEO and Founder

Before founding The Growth House in 2018, Ben spent 16 years as CEO of BBH, in Singapore and London, delivering acclaimed campaigns and strong growth for businesses such as British Airways, Tesco and Audi

1. What have you been proudest to grow?

The Growth House: from one bloke with a laptop to where we are now in just 5 years. If you call yourself The Growth House you’ve got to keep growing.

What’s the team you’ve most enjoyed being part of?

Rowing Gurus. Five of us meet three times a week on Zoom to flog ourselves on the indoor rower. We challenge each other, we compete, but most important of all we ‘check in’.

What makes the Growth House different?

Inspirational speakers. Facilitators who have been there and done it. Simple and effective tools. Useful follow up assets. Regular audits to measure impact.

What would we be surprised to know about you?

Both my parents were actors, my Dad was in Crossroads, and my Mum was RADA and then I Claudius

How would your closest friend describe you?

Driven, loyal and generous apparently

I switch off on a Friday night by……

Cooking for my loved ones

Emily Harris

EMILY HARRIS, HEAD OF DESIGN

Emily has 20 years of design experience working on both client and agency side for the likes of BT, Costa and Ella’s Kitchen. Her pivotal role at The Growth House is to design the comprehensive takeaway assets so clients finish our days with commitments already captured and crafted.

What have you been proudest to grow?

The Growth House whilst juggling looking after my all-important family too.

What habits help you as a leader?

Support, empathy, focus

What makes the Growth House different?

The fact we’re not career trainers but bring expertise from running real businesses.

What would we be surprised to know about you?

I played rugby for England students and Premiership rugby at Henley

How would your closest friend describe you?

Loyal, loving and creative (and a great caterpillar performer after a few drinks!)

Who do you value as your toughest, honest critic?

My 12 year-old daughter – she takes no prisoners

What’s your passion?

Creative problem solving and fixing things

Sarah Margot

SARAH MARGOT, GENERAL MANAGER and PA

Sarah spent 15 years at BBH, many supporting Ben as his PA, and joined The Growth House in 2020. As well as organising Ben, she’s a black belt at laying on workshops, events and conferences.

Who would be your dream Growth House speaker?

David Attenborough – his passion for animals and drive to make positive change

What would we be surprised to know about you?

I am a campanologist (bell-ringer)

What have you been proudest to grow?

My son, Jack

I switch off on a Friday night by…

Having a large glass of wine

What do you do to look after yourself?

Gym, running and I try to eat healthily

How would your closest friend describe you?

Fun, loving, kind

Jon Peppiatt

JON PEPPIAT, FACILITATOR AND NEW BUSINESS

After a successful 35 year career in some of London’s top ad agencies, latterly as Chairman of BBH, Pep left BBH in 2020 to set up his own consultancy PepRoom Consulting. Pep supports a number of businesses and is Ben’s wingman on all things Growth House.

What habits help you as a leader?

Good listener. Problem solver.

What makes the biggest difference to your day?

Working with people who care about what they do and enjoy it just as much

What makes The Growth House different?

We inspire on WHAT great looks like AND also offer great thinking on HOW to achieve it

Where’s your happy place?

Around the kitchen table with food, wine, friends and family

How would your closest friend describe you?

Generous, fun, kind

Who do you value as your toughest, honest critic?

My wife Rachel – my most honest critic and my biggest fan

Mitali Kelly

Mitali Kelly, Finance Director

Mitali has over 20 years senior commercial finance experience with blue chip companies including Asda Walmart, Ralph Lauren and Disney having qualified with PWC in 2000. She’s proved invaluable to The Growth House since joining in 2022.

What habits help you as a leader?

Really understanding what makes people tick

Who is the most inspiring leader you’ve worked with?

Judith McKenna, Asda CFO – she struck a great balance between family and work

What makes the biggest difference to your day?

Being with people who give me energy

What would we be surprised to know about you?

I love Eastenders!

How would your closest friend describe you?

Caring, friendly and probably loud

Who would be your dream Growth House speaker?

Indra Nooyi – ex Pepsi CEO as her story is incredible

Saskia Yeldham

SASKIA YELDHAM, PROGRAMME MANAGER

Saskia spent her early career agency side with clients such as Mars, Coca-Cola and Umbro before moving into Headhunting with Kendall Tarrant where she focused on planning and strategy. Saskia supports Ben in planning all TGH programmes.

What’s the team you’ve most enjoyed being part of?

My gardening club – like a book group for gardening with 6 great friends

What makes the Growth House different?

The energising, open atmosphere and the way Ben leads it all – sometimes completely changing plans in the moment when it’s needed

What’s your closet vice?

Turkish Delight

What would we be surprised to know about you?

I went to every single lecture at University

Who would be your dream Growth House speaker?

Toto Wolff – Team Principal at Mercedes F1. He has a no blame culture, encourages real openness and excellence and I like his direct style

What’s your passion?

People and sport – I’ll spend my retirement following sport around the world