The Rebel in a Suit | Joel Blake OBE

Wit + Grit

Tuesday, 29 September 2026 - 49 minutes

What does it really mean to be a rebel in a suit?

In this episode of Wit + Grit, PJ and Andy sit down with Birmingham entrepreneur and business leader Joel Blake OBE for a powerful conversation about resilience, courage, authenticity and challenging the status quo.

Joel shares the extraordinary story of the moment, aged 15, that changed the direction of his life, and how the lessons from those early years have shaped the entrepreneur, father and leader he is today.

From being unexpectedly pushed out of a business he helped build, to creating a category-defining fintech platform from Birmingham, Joel talks candidly about what resilience actually looks like when you're deep in the trenches - not the polished version we often hear about.

The conversation explores why the people who speak least can sometimes have the most to offer, why inclusion is a genuine competitive advantage, the danger of thinking you're in control when everything is going well, and why entrepreneurs need the courage to find their micro-niche.

Joel also opens up about fatherhood, vulnerability, masculinity and the difficult art of allowing your children to face challenges without immediately stepping in to rescue them.

And, of course, we discover the guilty pleasure behind one of Birmingham's sharpest business minds: Skittles.

An honest conversation about success, setbacks, identity, family and having the courage to be the rebel in the suit.

Key takeaways

* Be the rebel in the suit.

* Look beyond the loudest voice.

* Know your core values - and stick to them.

* Resilience isn’t a slogan.

* Success doesn’t necessarily mean control.

* Find your micro-niche.

* Inclusion is a competitive advantage.

* Authenticity matters more than titles.

* Embrace vulnerability.

* Sometimes parenting means stepping back.

Keywords / tags

Joel Blake OBE, Rebel in a Suit, Wit and Grit, Wit & Grit Podcast, PJ Ellis, Andy Dawson, entrepreneurship, entrepreneur podcast, business leadership, leadership, resilience, grit, courage, authenticity, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, soft skills, human skills, inclusion, diversity and inclusion, belonging, business growth, fintech, GFA Exchange, private credit, Birmingham business, Birmingham entrepreneur, West Midlands, business failure, overcoming adversity, challenging the status quo, disruptive thinking, micro niche, entrepreneurship UK, startup founder, fatherhood, masculinity, male role models, personal development, core values, business mindset, purpose, inclusive leadership

Chapters List

00:01 Introduction to Resilience and Rebellion

00:24 Identifying Potential in Entrepreneurs

02:36 The Journey of Joel Blake, OBE

07:13 Turning Adversity into Fuel

12:17 Family Legacy and Personal Struggles

14:11 The Importance of Authenticity

21:24 Thinking Like a Rebel in a Suit

26:03 The Importance of Belonging vs Inclusion

28:43 Courage in Uncertain Times

30:17 Opportunities and Challenges in Business

34:22 The Weight of Recognition and Legacy