Melanie Hird: what I do isn’t groundbreaking, but I am influential

Fresh Thinking Advisory’s founder on her life’s journey, who helped her along the way, and her mission to help businesses find the funding they need to grow

Hello Rainmakers,

Before we get going, I do need to remind you that it’s our Rainmakers conference in a couple of weeks time, and I really, really don’t want to have those calls I had last year, the day before the doors opened.

“Got a spare ticket mate? They’re saying it’s sold out.”

It was. And I didn’t.

Rainmakers 2025 – Wednesday 26 March, 2025 – and secure your place today.

Today’s profile interview is with Melanie Hird from Fresh Thinking Capital. It’s honest, as you would expect from a formidable plain speaking Yorkshire woman, but it’s also tinged with so much vulnerability and humility.

I hope you enjoy it.

There’s something magnetic about Mel Hird, founder and director of Fresh Thinking Advisory. Everywhere she’s worked, people have wanted to work directly with her.

People seek out her opinion. When she speaks at an event, the chances are, it’s always her voice you recall afterwards.

One wealthy client of one of her previous employers tried to poach her to run his family office.

Entrepreneur and former Dragon Theo Paphitis is a huge fan of her approach and her method and her direct way of speaking.

She’s also very self-aware of what she brings, and how she fits in.

“I wouldn’t say what I do is groundbreaking, but I would say that I am influential. People say they feel inspired by my advice and can-do positive attitude and want to hear more. I am down-to-earth and keep myself grounded. I try to give the best advice and am honest and straightforward, which has served me well over the years.