Kaplan‘s Learn Better Podcast

In this episode, Caron and Lee are joined by learning and development consultant and author Miranda Smythe. Drawing on her extensive experience, Miranda shares practical insights on wellbeing, time management and learning under pressure. Together, they discuss how to balance work, study and personal life, and how small, realistic changes can help learners work smarter, stay resilient and build sus...

In this episode, Caron and Lee are joined by Will Jones, Director in PwC’s Non-Financial Assurance team.   They explore how sustainability reporting and ESG assurance are reshaping the accounting profession, from regulation and double materiality to the growing role of AI. This is a forward-looking discussion on how accountants can apply their skills beyond the numbers and make a real impact in a...

In this episode, Caron and Lee are reunited with our guest host, Chiraag Swaly, as they sit down with Jo Stansfield, founder of Inclusioneering and a leading voice in ethical, inclusive tech. They explore how AI is shaping the workplace, why trust and transparency matter more than ever, and how unexamined assumptions in data and algorithms can create real-world inequality. Jo shares insights from...

In this episode, Caron and Lee dive into the finances behind the beautiful game with football finance expert Kieran Maguire - author, lecturer, and co-host of 'The Price of Football' podcast. Kieran breaks down why clubs earn billions yet still struggle to make a profit, how the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules really work, and why ownership models raise big ethical questions. From...

In this episode, Caron and Lee are joined by Irsa Hussain, Senior Associate at Vialto Partners and former Kaplan apprentice. Irsa shares her inspiring journey - from an internship with the Social Mobility Foundation to becoming an award-winning apprentice and passionate advocate for diversity in the workplace. Together, they explore the realities of apprenticeships, the importance of representatio...

In this episode, we’re joined by Addison Barnett (Addie), Principal Consultant at Inclusive Employers - the UK’s leading inclusion membership organisation. Discussing how Addie’s career has always been guided by fairness and a drive to make the world better, they explore what real inclusion looks like, and how data, trust, and open conversation can drive meaningful change.

In this episode, we’re joined by Tania Martin, founder of PegSquared and an award-winning neuro-inclusion consultant. Drawing from her own ADHD diagnosis and extensive corporate experience, Tania demystifies neurodiversity.  We explore the unique strengths neurodivergent individuals bring to a team, the importance of language and labels, and what ‘reasonable adjustments’ really mean. 

In this episode, Caron and Lee are joined by academic activist Dr. Iwi Ugiagbe-Green, Lead Education Innovation Scholar for Differential Outcomes and founder of STRIVE , an award-winning student success programme at Manchester Metropolitan University. Together, they explore the challenge of differential outcomes for minoritised students in higher education. The conversation unpacks key terms like...

In this episode, Caron and Lee are joined by Chiraag Swaly, Head of Data and Technology Curriculum at Kaplan.  We explore how data is transforming the finance world, and what it means to be a data-driven accountant. We dive into the essential skills you need to succeed and discuss the critical role of ethics when handling sensitive information.  Discover how to leverage data to provide deeper insi...

Meet our new hosts: Caron Betts (Learning Technologies Manager) and Lee Rowlandson (Content Specialist and seasoned tutor).  Together, they speak about their fascinating career paths, from Lee’s dreams of being a radio DJ to Caron’s passion for making complex topics accessible. They preview upcoming discussions on topics such as AI, diversity in finance, and the unique challenges women face in the...

This bonus episode of our Learn Better Podcast features Kaplan’s very own, Zoë Lister.  Zoë has worked at Kaplan for 17 years and worked her way up throughout her career to become the curriculum manager for our ICAEW courses. As part of her role, she focuses on the skills and behaviours our learners can gain throughout their studies.  However, since hitting a ‘bump in the road,’ and finding out sh...

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks all about Making Tax Digital.  Our guest is the director of Making Tax Digital for HMRC, Craig Ogilvie. His experience and passion for this initiative puts Craig in a perfect position to explain what Making Tax Digital is, and why it’s so important.   

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks about managing a diverse workforce. Our guest is Rob Brown, who is the co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable , and the host of Accounting Influencers Podcast. Because of this experience, he is extremely knowledgeable about the accounting industry as a whole, as well as talent manag...

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks all about outsourcing and offshoring accountancy services. Our guest is Arun Mehra, the founder and CEO of Samera - a Surrey-based accountancy practice. Arun started his practice 25 years ago with just one client, and now talks about why offshoring is something to consider.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks all about using social media to advance you business.  Our guest is Samantha Mitcham, who built her own accountancy practice from nothing, with a very intentional social media strategy. She now has around 19,000 LinkedIn connections - significantly more than the average.

In this episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, takes a peak into the hidden world of money laundering and financial crime. Our guest is Joe Fisher, who at the time of the recording worked as the Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) at Raisin UK.    

In this episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores the benefits of learning and teaching online. Our guest is Dr. Cristi Ford: The Vice President of Academic Affairs at  D2L - a Canadian education company that developed the Brightspace Learning Management System. 

In this episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discovers the importance of data and valuable information within the field of accounting. Our guest is Ian Pay, who is the Head of Data and Technology at ICAEW. He explains the evolving role of data and technology in the accounting and finance sectors, as well as how the innovation of technology pra...

In this episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks into the world of banking. Our guest for this episode is Tanya Retter. Tanya has worked within the banking industry for over 25 years and is now the Chartered Banking Institute's Executive Director of Education.

In this episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, speaks to guest Ben Wildavsky about his book on how to pave a successful career. Our impressive guest, Ben Wildavsky, is a scholar, veteran higher education writer, strategist, speaker, host of the podcast Higher Ed Spotlight, and author of The Great Brain Race  and The Career Arts.

In this episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at artificial intelligence and the impact that this is going to make. Our guest is Dan Sodergren: a founder, writer, trainer, and an accomplished speaker with over 20 years of experience in telling stories on the impact of technology on life and work.  Dan is an expert on the future of work. B...

In this very special bonus episode of our  Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, is joined by Kaplan UK CEO, Kathy Walton. They discuss Kathy's passion for apprenticeships while drawing comparisons with professional qualifications to make it easier to decide on which one is right for you.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at how the people you are surrounded by, your values and your morals can help you to access opportunities. Fatima Hassan is our guest for this episode. She heads up the Finance Strategy & Development team and delivers people initiatives for the finance community at Network Rail. Fatima is also...

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at accountancy all around the world. Our guest for this episode is Dominic Horne, Senior Manager at Robert Walters - one of the world’s leading specialists in professional recruitment. Robert Walters has over 4000 employees worldwide, operating in over 30 different countries.  While a gap year...

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses the importance of the climate change issue and how this links to the finance sector.  Zach Stein is our guest on this episode. He is a Co-Founder of The Carbon Collective, an organisation based in California that makes it simple for people to invest in companies that offer climate solutions...