8: Lead Well Live Well with Dee Blick - Episode 88: Lead Well Live Well with Dee Blick - Episode 8
UK Health Radio Podcast
Business owner and philanthropist Freddie St. George talks about creating The Italian Job charity Mini run, reshaping the Raring2go! franchise and his work with children’s bereavement charity Jigsaw South East. The conversation weaves in family, insomnia, an MBE, and what it means to give generously while living a grounded, family-centred life.
41:35•4 Apr 2026
Quiet Philanthropy, Minis and Meaningful Work with Freddie St. George
Episode Overview
- A simple idea backed by strong family values can grow into a long-term fundraising project with major impact.
- Quiet, consistent giving often creates more change than loud self-promotion.
- Inclusive leadership and involving franchisees in key decisions can strengthen a franchise and its brand.
- Honest recognition of challenges such as cash flow and slow growth helps set realistic expectations for small business owners.
- Finding purpose in charitable work and valuing family time can be as important as financial success.
“Those that make the most noise make the least difference. And those that make the biggest difference make the least noise.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety, business, and giving back? This conversation on UK Health Radio’s *Lead Well Live Well* with host Dee Blick and guest Freddie St. George brings those threads together with warmth, humour and a lot of honesty. Freddie shares how his Italian roots and a family motto of, “Those that have more, give more,” inspired the iconic charity road trip, The Italian Job.
What began as a few friends driving their Minis to Italy grew into a long-running event that has raised around £3.3 million for children’s charities. A highlight is Freddie recalling a Rotarian’s words that shaped his quiet approach to giving: “Those that make the most noise make the least difference. And those that make the biggest difference make the least noise.” The chat then shifts to business.
As franchisor of *Raring2go!*, a hyperlocal family magazine and website, Freddie talks about rebuilding the franchise from the ground up, joining the British Franchise Association, and creating a franchise council so decisions come from collaboration rather than command-and-control. He describes their “Big Mac moment” when franchisees came up with a successful awards idea, showing why “engagement and listening” sit at the heart of his leadership.
You’ll also hear how he manages big responsibilities on three to four hours’ sleep, why his MBE is a reminder of sacrifice rather than status, and why his biggest buzz now comes from his role with children’s bereavement charity Jigsaw South East. Dee weaves in reflections on family, ageing, and using tough beginnings and addiction recovery as fuel for compassion and drive.
Anyone interested in purposeful business, philanthropy, or living well while giving a lot of yourself will find plenty to relate to. It might leave you asking: what could you do with your own “those that have more, give more” moment?
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