Tuesday Apr 21, 2026

From Midlands to Mayfair: Lori Powell on Luxury, Leadership & the 5 People Who Shaped Her Life

S05 EP02 Lori Powell

In this warm, funny and deeply thoughtful episode of People Are Everything, Julia Duthie sits down with leadership consultant Lori Powell to explore the five people who most shaped her life, values and career. From her “Midlands to Mayfair” journey through Harrods and Tiffany & Co. to building her own business in leadership development, Lori reflects on ambition, authenticity, trust and what it means to grow without losing yourself. Her choices reveal the people behind the polish: the sisters who emboldened her, the manager who challenged her, the mother who taught her what “enough” looks like, the senior leader who opened doors, and the thinker whose ideas reshaped the way she sees leadership.

Julia brings her usual curiosity, warmth and humour to the conversation, with the two sharing laughs about wardrobe changes, awkward networking events and AI giving podcast feedback. But there is also real emotional depth here. Julia clearly admires Lori’s energy, passion and the life she has built, while Lori speaks with striking honesty about the women and mentors who helped her become who she is today. The result is an uplifting conversation about leadership, identity, family, career progression, protecting your peace, and how the right people can quietly change the course of your life.

Highlights

Lori’s journey from Derby to London luxury retail
Working at Harrods and later Tiffany & Co.
Why the luxury retail experience is about much more than selling products
The difference between being interesting and being interested
The power of authenticity in leadership
Why being popular is not important if you want to lead well
Lessons in trust, empathy, logic and authenticity
A moving reflection on her mother’s quiet ambition and life plan
The influence of her sisters, who are also her business partners
Why protecting your peace matters
The role of mentors and leaders in opening career-changing doors
Leadership as a force for changing not just careers, but lives
A lovely closing reflection on what it means to become one of someone else’s five

Lori Powell’s 5 People

Louise & Victoria Powell – Her sisters, who shaped her confidence, authenticity and sense of boundaries.
Sadie Borrows – Her first manager, who pushed her into leadership and taught her that popularity doesn’t equal impact.
Beverly Powell – Her mother, who modelled a powerful version of ambition rooted in knowing what “enough” is.
Marc Jacheet – The leader who saw her potential and elevated her into senior leadership at a pivotal moment.
Frances Frei – The leadership thinker who transformed her understanding of trust, authenticity and impact.