Leading With Purpose

In this episode of the Fit for Purpose podcast, Rt Hon Justine Greening speaks with Sean Duffy, CEO of the Wise Group, about the organisation's impactful work over the past year. They discuss the importance of relational mentoring, the challenges faced by individuals in the justice system, and the need for holistic support to break down barriers to employment. The conversation highlights the signi...

David Jackson, chairman and founder of Hudson Contract, discusses the unique services his company provides to the construction industry. He explains how Hudson Contract helps construction companies be responsible employers by determining the employment status of freelancers to ensure compliance with tax and employment laws. David Jackson shares the story of how he started the company after recogni...

In this episode of the Fit for Purpose podcast, Rt Hon Justine Greening interviews Professor Nic Beech, the vice chancellor of the University of Salford. They discuss the history and importance of the university, its engagement with the local community, and its role in driving the local economy and entrepreneurship. They also touch on the impact of Media City on Salford and the university's fo...

Patricia Davies, the chief executive of Shropshire Community Health Trust, discusses the innovative work being done in Shropshire, including the implementation of virtual wards and subacute care units. These initiatives aim to provide high-tech hospital care within people's homes and focus on rehabilitation and recovery to enable patients to return home as soon as possible. The conversation al...

Satvir Kaur, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test, shares her journey into politics and her passion for good government. Satvir emphasises the impact that local government can have on people's daily lives and the importance of representing diverse communities. Satvir also discusses the need for lasting change and better support for local councils. She highlights the issues...

In this episode of the Fit for Purpose Leadership podcast, Justine Greening interviews Professor Jane Robinson, the Pro Vice Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University. They discuss the role of universities in maximising partnership opportunities and benefiting society. They also talk about widening access to higher education, particularly in the North East of England, and the ini...

Adam Carson, Managing Director of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, discusses initiatives to help people get out of the hospital more quickly. The focus is on the Home First agenda, recognising that hospital isn't always the best environment for recovery. Carson highlights the frailty service, which triages elderly patients and provides subacute intervention before they are admitted to...

In this episode, Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, discusses the progress made in Essex on the levelling up agenda. She highlights initiatives focused on literacy and numeracy, community supermarkets, digital access, skills development, and childcare. McKinlay emphasises the importance of collaboration with businesses and other partners to drive change and spread opportunity....

The Wise group, with a history spanning over four decades, was birthed amidst the backdrop of 1983 Glasgow, a city grappling with the dual challenges of staggering unemployment and poor housing. The group's inception was an act of social innovation, spearheaded by the visionary Alan Sinclair and his diligent team, who sought to empower the unemployed with practical skills, while also striving...

Dr. Penny Haughan, an esteemed figure in the educational landscape of Liverpool, is intrinsically connected to the city’s rich tapestry of history and progress. As a proponent of social equity and opportunity, her philosophy is shaped by the foundational ethos of the institution she represents. With roots extending back 180 years, Liverpool Hope, which began as an early teacher training facility,...

Judy Keir has been a driving force behind the cultural and ethical backbone of SMS for over four years. Her career with the company began with the significant responsibility of directing human resources, but within two years, Judy's got the role of Chief People Officer, an expansive position that sees her overseeing not just HR but also the company's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governa...

In this episode, we will explore Aldermore's groundbreaking approach to financing. which offers a lifeline to individuals and businesses typically ignored by mainstream lenders. Steven Cooper CBE will share with us the emphatic strides Aldermore is making in transitioning towards a more sustainable future, focusing on not just the quality of vehicles and the ever-crucial EV infrastructure, but...

Justine Greening sits down with the passionate and inspiring Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice Chancellor of the University of Chester. They delve into Eunice's impressive career, the University's innovative "citizen student" strategy, and the essential work being done to enhance social mobility, diversity, and fairness of access in and beyond the campus. They discuss the shifting l...

We've seen a turbulent week with strategic resignations on either side, and an unexpected comeback by David Cameron as Foreign Secretary. And for the Labour Party? They might just be dealing with the greatest split yet, thanks to an issue far from British soil - the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

In this episode of Fit For Purpose, our host, Justine Greening, sits down with Lisa Dolan, the vice president of people operations and employee experience for the UK Group of Teleperformance, a global digital business services company. In this insightful conversation, Lisa shares her journey from struggling in school to finding her passion in employee engagement at Teleperformance. She emphasises...

In today's episode, our host, Justine Greening, sits down with Professor James Knowles, the Vice Chancellor of Solent University. Solent University is a unique institution that combines a rich history dating back to the 1850s with a modern approach to education. Known for its maritime specialty and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of industries, Solent University plays a vital role i...

Welcome to Fit For Purpose, the podcast where we explore the stories and strategies of individuals and organizations striving to create purpose-led and inclusive cultures. In today's episode, we have a very special guest with us - Steve White, the Managing Director at Southeastern Railways. Steve shares his insights on transforming a company one conversation at a time and the importance of cre...

In this episode of the Friday Take, hosts Matthew McPherson and Nick Forbes dive into a thought-provoking discussion on various topics shaping the political landscape. From dissecting the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and its perception in society to critically examining the housing crisis and the urgent need for planning system reforms, this podcast episode offers insightful analysis and engagi...

Welcome back to another episode of Fit For Purpose. In today's Friday Take, hosts Matthew McPherson and Nick Forbes are back from the Labour Party conference but are feeling a little under the weather with the conference flu cold. They dive into the recent happenings in the world of politics, including by elections, a party defection, and the impact on the SNP and Labour in Scotland. Tune in a...

Welcome back to another episode of Fit For Purpose! In today's episode, we have a special guest, Sarah Jones, joining us from Anchor. Anchor is the largest provider of social housing for older people in England and the largest not-for-profit residential care provider. Sarah shares with us the wide range of services Anchor offers, including socially rented housing, home ownership options, extra...

Discover the powerful connection between purpose, passion, and career goals as we sit down with Abbie Urquhart Arnold from Newcastle University. In our intriguing conversation, we uncover how Abbie's dual degree in English Literature and History provides her with a comprehensive understanding of literature's contextual factors and historical sources, opening up a plethora of career opportu...

Welcome to another episode of Fit For Purpose, the podcast where we explore organisations making a meaningful impact in their industries. In this episode, our host Justine Greening sits down with Lynne Hookway, Head of People Services at Travelodge Hotels. With over 600 hotels and tens of thousands of guest bedrooms, Travelodge is a prominent player in the hospitality sector. Lynne shares insights...

What drives you to choose a career path, and how do you find the perfect organisational fit? Join us in this engaging episode as we chat with Ria, a passionate Masters student in Project Management at the University of Northampton. Ria shares her journey from studying marketing to project management and how her experiences as an international student have shaped her priorities when it comes to cho...

In this episode, host Justine Greening sits down with Angela Halliday, where they delve into the importance of thinking ahead and considering longer-term goals in business. They discuss the value of investing in young people's talent and explore initiatives such as the 10,000 black interns program and working with schools through the Enactus UK program. Angela also highlights Sodexo's comm...

Join Justine Greening and guest Karen Quinn in this episode of Fit For Purpose, as they dive into the often overlooked topic of menopause and its impact on women in the workplace. With personal experiences and extensive research, they shed light on the challenges faced by the 13 million menopausal women in the UK, 3.5 million of whom are part of the workforce. From the hidden struggles to the glas...