E12: Sacha Lord’s Diary – The King of Nightlife

In Episode 12 of 'The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett,' Steven sits down with Sacha Lord, a prominent figure in the Manchester nightlife scene and the creative mind behind influential events like Warehouse Project and Parklife Festival. The episode delves into Sacha's journey from a studious schoolboy to a nightlife mogul, detailing key moments that shaped his career trajectory. Despite doing well in his early school years, Sacha's discovery of the Hacienda nightclub led him to prioritize partying over academics, ultimately failing his A-levels. However, he harbored a strong belief in his future success, despite lacking a clear direction at the time.

Sacha's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by his exposure to Manchester's vibrant music scene and his early work experiences, such as working at Flannels clothing store, where he observed wealthy customers and aspired to similar success. He began promoting student nights, which evolved into larger events, eventually leading to the creation of Warehouse Project and Parklife. Sacha also discusses the challenges and pressures of his work, including a tragic incident at Warehouse Project that resulted in a patron's death, and the intense scrutiny that followed.

Throughout the episode, Sacha shares insights into the loneliness that accompanies entrepreneurship, the weight of responsibility he feels towards his staff and event-goers, and the complexity of managing large-scale events. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to his vision for Manchester's nightlife.