Why Britain Is Wasting Its Greatest Source of Talent | Maggie Philbin OBE

Maggie Philbin OBE, CEO TeenTech and Technology Broadcaster joins Oli Barrett for a fascinating conversation about technology, education, opportunity and the future of work. Drawing on decades spent exploring innovation and her work as founder of TeenTech, Maggie explains why Britain's biggest untapped resource is the talent sitting in classrooms across the country. She shares why schools must focus less on memorisation and more on confidence, curiosity and communication, and why employers need to do more to recognise potential rather than polish. The discussion explores the impact of AI on education, the importance of ethics and access, how mentorship can transform lives, and why listening to young people may be the key to solving some of society's biggest challenges. Maggie also reflects on her years presenting Tomorrow's World, the technologies that changed society, and her hopes for a future that is fairer, more inclusive and full of opportunity. Maggie Philbin OBE is well known for her work in radio and television where for over 30 years she has reported on a wide range of science, medical and technology programmes from Tomorrow’s World to Bang Goes The Theory. In 2008 she co-founded TeenTech, an award-winning charity which works across the UK getting young people innovating, creating, building skills and preparing for a fast-changing future. TeenTech helps students, parents and teachers understand the real opportunities in contemporary industry. She received the WISE Award for Communication and Outreach for her work promoting diversity in 2013. In June 2016 she was voted most influential woman in UK IT by Computer Weekly and also named 2016 Digital Leader of the Year. She was awarded an OBE in Jan 2017 for her work to promote careers in STEM and the Creative Industries. In July 2017 she received the Tech4Good Special Award and in 2019 TeenTech was awarded the Best Employer and School Outreach. She is patron of the Council for Professors and Heads of Computing and has been awarded ten honorary degrees and fellowships for her work. About the TeenTech Charity TeenTech help young people understand opportunities in contemporary industry, no matter what their gender or social background. Their engaging, sharply focussed initiatives reach over 14,000 students aged 8-19 every year and are carefully planned to involve teachers and parents as they are the main influencers in career decisions. Over 300 companies and 40 UK universities work with TeenTech helping deliver their exciting programmes to students across the UK. About the Podcast The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. Chapters 00:00 Why young people aren't "work ready" — and why that's okay 00:40 Introduction: Maggie Philbin joins Tomorrow 01:38 Maggie's prediction for the next decade: ethics, access and AI 03:21 Which Tomorrow's World predictions got it right? 05:37 The technology that convinced Maggie the future had arrived 06:39 The unexpected origins of TeenTech 07:25 The school visit that changed everything 09:52 Why employers should focus on potential, not readiness 11:26 How TeenTech measures impact and changes lives 13:52 What young people really think about ethics and innovation 14:42 Beth's journey from TeenTech participant to engineering student 17:18 How businesses can engage meaningfully with young people 18:38 AI, technology and the future of education 19:20 The qualities schools struggle to teach: confidence and resilience 21:37 What Maggie would change about the education system 23:44 Will the classroom of the future be high-tech or human-first? 25:50 Why Maggie has enormous respect for teachers and students 26:12 Future Question: What behaviour will confuse people in 50 years? 27:01 What schools reward that matters less in real life 28:42 Lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world 30:05 Why employers should recruit for potential, not polish 30:38 The TeenTech story that transformed a student's life 35:26 Why no young person should think they're stupid 36:42 What Maggie was really like at school 38:51 Britain's biggest wasted source of talent 39:27 What "Leave Your Lane" means to Maggie 40:51 How TeenTech was built from unexpected experiences 42:59 Why Maggie remains optimistic about the future 44:23 Creating a fairer world through access and opportunity 45:28 Maggie's memo to the future: "Listen to everyone" 46:50 Final reflections and closing thoughts