How HR Leaders Change the World

In this special episode celebrating International Women's Day, we feature the work of HR leaders striving towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, Gender Equality. Recognising the incredible gender equality work our male guests have shared on this podcast, in this episode we feature 5 of our female guests, with snippets of their inspiring approaches and examples of how their work helps to #Break...

Van discusses how he has challenged historical practices to reduce barriers and create access to opportunity. From education on unconscious bias to implementing 'the Rooney rule' and a Reconciliation Action Plan, Van describes practical steps that have created progress. Advocating that we all work to open society for everyone to participate and benefit, Van shares his thoughts on significant chang...

Tom casts a vision for the future of work that enables everyone to participate in the labour market through complete individualisation of HR practices. Reflecting that everyone has different circumstances, Tom views personalisation as the ultimate goal for HR. Tom also shares his thoughts on the importance of medium-term thinking and his medium-term approach to achieving Bupa's D&I targets. Tom di...

Is time an employee benefit? Moving on from 9 – 5 models, Neil shares KFC's approach to work that supports both high performing colleagues and their wellbeing. Neil explains how he aims to protect time, for colleagues to use it for them as a whole person, not just their role at work. From a virtual commute to "Leave me the cluck alone" time, Neil describes examples of how KFC puts this in to pract...

With his career experience spanning from shopfloor to global CHRO, Jez shares his passion for equality of opportunity and how workplace Learning & Development creates change for individuals and communities. A Fortune 250 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Jez describes how Global Partners LP roles provides flexible working opportunities that support multiple generations of the same fam...

Matt shares his thoughts on the cultural test point workplaces are experiencing and how approaches to colleague wellbeing, and HR's role, have changed dramatically. Describing some of the changes that have taken place at the Bank of Ireland, Matt shares how he has worked on supporting the mental health of colleagues, including suicide prevention. Matt also discusses initiatives that have opened ac...

Elliott summarises the cultural change taking place regarding the role of men at work and in family life. Discussing masculinity and gender equality, Elliott shares his methodology for opening conversations and facilitating allyship. Sharing the benefits to businesses and society of the changing role of working dads, Elliott describes how companies can support men to enhance gender balance. To mov...

Eve Baldwin, Chief People & Organisation Officer at Upfield describes her work building a people-led culture in a business spun out of a conglomerate. Sharing examples and stories of how HR Leaders are creating equality of opportunity, Eve also discusses the new initiatives Upfield is implementing to enhance inclusion of colleagues around the world. With her passion for engagement and culture, Eve...

Jayde Tipper, Chief People Officer at Temenos shares her vision and strategies to ensure company culture enables us to thrive at work and fulfil our caring responsibilities. Discussing her own experiences of being a working parent, Jayde provides examples of practical changes she is leading in her team and company-wide. Noting the prominence of HR as business leaders, Jayde calls on all HR practit...

Elizabeth shares her view on the importance of speaking truth to power and allowing time to implement the changes that result. Providing suggestions on having the confidence to do so, and giving examples of work that improves inclusion, creates belonging and supports diverse talent, Elizabeth calls on us to be intentional in our approach - a brilliant message to hear at the start of the new year. ...

In this very special episode for the holiday season, we introduce Tom Dannatt Founder and CEO of Street Child – From Babies with Love's key partner in caring for vulnerable children around the world. Tom shares his views on the best practice partnership opportunities for companies – increasingly less charity at the edges – and more impact partner driving measurable change for the customers and emp...

Helle Bay, EVP and Head of People & Culture at Scania, describes her passion for a truly inclusive society, where everyone in business leads with an inclusive mindset. Helle and I recorded this episode whilst COP26 was taking place in Glasgow; Helle shares her views on the connections between Inclusive Leadership and Sustainability, and how these are increasingly priorities for business. In this w...

Paul Sesay describes the challenges he overcame that fuelled his passion for diversity, inclusion and belonging. As creator of The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers and National Diversity Awards, Paul shares the best practice he has seen over the decades, and across a multitude of markets. Explaining why C-suite leadership and sponsorship is key to success, Paul also describes the simple things every...

Hear Daniela share with you her passion for creating a work culture that prioritises wellbeing and inclusion. Daniela provides examples across leadership initiatives and workforce-wide approaches, and advocates that we must allow the time required to work holistically to create impactful change. In a world of time pressures Daniela's perspective and proven results are refreshing and reassuring; th...

Emma Walsh, CEO at Parents at Work, discusses her work leading societal change in the relationship between our lives at work and home. Describing why a family friendly workplace is imperative for business success, what this looks like, steps to get there and pitfalls to avoid, Emma shares her experience over 25 years of working in HR and as CEO of Parents at Work. How do we achieve Gender Equality...

In this week's episode, Amanda discusses Sage's Sustainability and Society strategy and how it has influenced Talent strategy. Advocating for listening and learning, Amanda explains the direction Sage has taken as a result - from the process of applying to Sage to creating a brilliant place to work.    By mixing up the status quo Amanda illustrates how Sage is creating a better future of work, bui...

In this week's episode Kristen shares her passion for ensuring no one feels they need to hide themselves at work. Discussing the productivity and business impacts of diverse and homogenous teams, Kristen shares Barilla's approach to embedding D&I across the business and provides specific examples of how D&I has helped deliver commercial business goals. With the pandemic creating adjustments to the...

Bruce Daisley formerly ran Twitter's business in EMEA, responsible for the development of Twitter in three continents. He's now bestselling author and writer on better working. In this bumper episode Bruce introduces his passion for creating a workplace where working at your company is your colleagues' favourite job – from which they take meaning, satisfaction and laughter. Discussing the timely t...

With the goal of creating a business world where companies supporting working parents is the norm, not a perk, Jodi and Kate introduce Circle In and the positive impacts they have for talent retention and for society. Noting that 89% of people will become a parent, leaders can't afford not to look after working parents. Witnessing The Great Resignation around the world, Jodi & Kate comment on the...

Lauren advocates for ED&I as a business growth driver and revenue generator, which successful businesses are embedding into the role of every single colleague. Sharing ways to create culture change including the benefits of collaboration, even with competitors, the importance of inclusive policy, and ally skills training across workforces, Lauren provides many brilliant examples of success across...

Leading HR functions in the energy sector, Catherine shares her work to build a Net Zero Workforce, the approaches to skills and diversity required to meet a company's Net Zero target. Catherine also shares her passion for creating employment opportunities that contribute to greater equality in society, in her corporate HR roles and in leading the Taskforce on Future Skills & Good Work at Business...

Sarah has dedicated her career to making work work - campaigning to ensure people with caring responsibilities are not excluded. Sarah shares her experience of creating workplace and social change across three decades, discussing the most effective tools and providing examples such as the power of 'real models' and the benefit of personal experience in selling the business case. I consider myself...

Flo and Kevin share their approach to go beyond surface level understanding and create a work environment that empathises with the lived experience of colleagues and understands the human condition. Including having courageous conversations on areas of life often considered taboo at work, to how data and tech help move businesses forward, Flo and Kevin provide practical examples of how they're cre...

With 20 years of experience working in equity and inclusion, Asif advocates for a long-term process of culture change, providing examples of ways to effect change such as a series of "equity and inclusion workouts" and the enhanced benefits of experiential learning. Asif shares his thoughts on conscious inclusion, using our privilege to create equity for people from different socio-economic backgr...

Jenn discusses her view on the role of HR leaders and professionals as advocates, sharing examples including her work in creating impactful Employee Resource Groups and fostering belonging, sharing her passion for normalising members of the LGBTQ+ community feeling able to be themselves at work. Discussing the powerful connections between producing inclusive content and employee inclusion, Jenn's...