L&D Disrupt

In this episode of L&D Disrupt, host Pauline speaks with Monica Holliday , Head of People at British Airways Euroflyer, about why traditional approaches to talent development and performance are no longer fit for today's workforce. Drawing on a career that has spanned multiple industries, Monica shares how the world of work has fundamentally changed since COVID and why organisations need t...

In this episode of L&D Disrupt, host Kelsey speaks with Derek Bruce, Chief Learning Officer at Easygenerator, about what's holding L&D back and what the function needs to become next. Derek argues that learning teams spend too much time creating content instead of making better use of what already exists, and that L&D must become more closely connected to performance, skills, and b...

In this episode of L&D Disrupt, host Kelsey speaks with Ruth South, who leads Talent Development and Learning at Costa Coffee, about what it really takes to build a learning culture that drives business success and meaningful internal mobility. Ruth explains how Costa invests in apprenticeships, coffee craft, and centrally funded talent pathways that move people from barista to leadership role...

In this episode, strategic talent and development leader and coach Shane Halifax shares how he moved from being a general manager at DFS into L&D after realizing he most enjoyed developing people, and explains what he learned about what does and doesn’t translate from courses into workplace performance. He outlines a capability-based approach: defining role capabilities, benchmarking with top...

We’re excited to kick off Season 4 with our new host, Pauline Taylor, VP of People at HowNow! Join us for an engaging discussion with Ian Walker, an industry leader and expert in Learning and Development (L&D), as he explores the transformative power of L&D in driving business outcomes. In this episode, Ian highlights the crucial role L&D plays in unlocking potential, fostering collabo...

🎉 Celebrating the 100th episode of L&D Disrupt Live at World of Learning! Nelson Sivalingam is joined by four forward-thinking L&D leaders—Tara (AND Digital), Stephen (So Energy), Penny (inRiver), and Joe (Centrick)—for a conversation about how Learning & Development is evolving in today’s organisations. They explore how L&D teams are moving from problem solvers to problem finders...

Join us in this exciting episode of L&D Disrupt Live as we explore the latest trends, lessons learned, and predictions for the future of Learning and Development with Nelson, CEO and co-founder of HowNow, along with a panel of experts. From discussing the role of AI in L&D to the importance of evidence-based practice and the shift to performance-based metrics, this episode covers it all. F...

Join us for an engaging discussion with Lavinia, founder of OffBeat and a thought leader in Learning and Development (L&D), as she explores the future of organisational learning. In this episode, Lavinia highlights the crucial role L&D plays in fostering collaboration, trust, and adaptability within organisations. The conversation covers the impact of AI on L&D, the distinction between...

In this episode, Adam Horne joins the show to unpack the challenges of “accidental managers”, those promoted without proper leadership training, and the friction caused by poorly designed roles. Drawing on his experience at Open Org , Adam explains how the organisation supports HR professionals in startups through community building, content creation, and consulting . He explores the impact of AI...

In this episode, Ross Stevenson explores how Learning and Development is evolving in the age of AI. As technology reshapes how we work and learn, Ross shares how L&D professionals can harness AI’s potential while keeping the human element at the heart of learning. Drawing from his journey from practitioner to creator and consultant, he offers practical advice on experimenting with AI tools, ad...

In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to make learning a daily habit at work. From finding that sweet spot between passion, relevance, and environment, to empowering managers and influencers to champion learning, we explore the practical side of building a true learning culture. You’ll hear how technology can reduce friction, how merging cultures can reshape development, and why redef...

How do you transform a fragmented organization into one united by shared goals, values, and performance? In this episode, Emma shares her journey leading talent management at James Fisher, reflecting on the rebrand from L&D to Talent, building strategies in times of transformation, and shifting perceptions of HR’s role from “just training” to driving real business impact. We explore how to: Al...

In this episode of L&D Disrupt , we sit down with Joe Milton, Learning and Development Manager at Centrick , to explore what it really takes to build the next generation of leaders. From his beginnings as a music teacher to shaping leadership development strategies in fast-moving businesses, Joe shares how teaching children isn’t so different from coaching adults, and why positive reinforcemen...

In Part 2 of this special episode, Nelson continues unpacking the future of workplace learning—focusing on how L&D leaders can future-proof their strategies in an era of exponential change. He explores why the fastest learners—both individuals and organisations—are the ones who will thrive, and why L&D must evolve from a compliance-driven function into a true strategic lever for business p...

In this episode, the tables are turned as our usual host, Nelson, takes the hot seat to explore the current state of L&D. The conversation kicks off with the challenge of content overload and what it means for HR and L&D leaders trying to cut through the noise. Nelson explains why shifting from a content-first to a skills-first approach is essential, and how connecting the right learning t...

In this episode, Ajay Pangarkar discusses the importance of aligning L&D with business goals in order to deliver measurable results. He highlights the need for L&D professionals to develop fluency in business and financial metrics so they can clearly demonstrate the value of their initiatives. Ajay shares insights from his latest book on learning metrics, alongside practical strategies for...

This special episode of L&D Disrupt, recorded live at Learning Technologies, features Nelson Sivalingam exploring how AI can help solve one of L&D’s biggest challenges: scaling great teaching. Drawing on examples like Bruce Lee’s transformation under his mentor Ip Man, Nelson unpacks why great learning has always been rooted in mentorship, not just content. He discusses the historical cont...

In this episode, we dive into the importance of skill development within organisations. Our guest, Kyle, an HR Business Partner at the TM group, discusses his journey from an L&D advisor to his current role and shares how his background in learning and development has been instrumental in shaping his approach to HR. We explore the critical need for continuous development, the strategy behind s...

In this episode, we sit down with Raquel, a dynamic L&D leader, to uncover the keys to successful Learning and Development practices. We explore common misconceptions about L&D, the importance of facilitating knowledge sharing, and the challenges of driving a culture of learning. Raquel discusses how the right technology, the adoption of an experimental mindset, and a focus on relevance, a...

In this episode, we’re joined by Penny Simpson, an experienced L&D professional with a passion for making learning actually stick. We dive into how to create repeatable and scalable learning experiences, the importance of aligning L&D with business goals, and how to embed learning into the flow of everyday work. Penny shares how tools like the Learning Canvas, HowNow and Guru AI are helpin...

Lisa Bodell on Simplifying Complexity to Drive Innovation In this episode, Lisa Bodell—founder of FutureThink—shares how simplification became her unexpected path to driving innovation. From “kill the crap” committees to eliminating time-sucks, Lisa explores practical ways to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. We dive into why people struggle to say no, how to reclaim time fro...

In this episode, we embark on a journey with Alex Beard, author of 'Natural Born Learners,' as he shares his experiences and insights into the future of learning. Alex discusses his global exploration to understand innovative learning practices and speaks on the importance of play, adaptability, and creative thinking in today's fast-changing world. We delve into the differences in educational appr...

In this episode, Paul is back to dig into one of L&D’s biggest challenges: shifting from content overload to real behaviour change. We explore how L&D teams can move beyond delivering training to actually driving impact that aligns with business goals. From engaging stakeholders with the cost of inaction to using the sat nav analogy for navigating change, Paul shares sharp insights and pra...

In this episode, we sit down with Menna, a seasoned L&D leader with nearly a decade of experience, to uncover what really drives impact in Learning and Development. From her early days as a training coordinator to building strategies that align directly with business goals, Menna shares a practical, experience-rich playbook that challenges the one-size-fits-all approach. We explore the importa...

In this episode, Henry, the Head of Talent at Lucid Group, shares his journey from outdoor education to corporate learning and development (L&D). He discusses the evolving landscape of L&D, the importance of adaptability, and the impact of AI on the profession. Henry emphasizes the need for intentionality in using AI tools, the shift towards being more strategic in aligning learning with b...