Team Talk

In this episode, Sherry talks with Jon Massie, Chief People and Technical Officer at SailGP, about leading a fast-growing global sports organisation where culture, performance and innovation go hand in hand. Jon shares his journey from London 2012 to SailGP, the challenges of scaling teams across multiple countries, and how values can become a genuine part of everyday operations rather than just w...

Episode overview In this episode, Sherry Bevan talks with Tom Duggan about leadership, high-performance sport, and what it really takes to build environments where athletes and teams can thrive. Tom shares his 20-year journey through UK sport, from local authority sports development to leadership roles across squash, badminton, archery, and now canoe slalom and kayak cross at Paddle UK. He reflect...

Episode overview: Learning to Lead Without Controlling Everything In this episode of the  Team Talk Podcast , Sherry Bevan speaks with Kerri Coombs, Head of Girls' Football and First Team Coach at Oxford United, about what it really takes to build high-performing teams - on and off the pitch. Drawing on over a decade of international coaching experience, Kerri shares why the best teams are built o...

What does it really take to lead high-performing teams—across different sports, cultures and global stages? In this episode of Team Talk , I'm joined by Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of British Cycling and incoming CEO of Team GB. With over 30 years in sport, Jon shares what leadership looks like behind the scenes—from delivering world-class events to building teams that perform under pressure. We e...

Leading Neurodiverse Teams: What Most Organisations Get Wrong  In this episode of  Team Talk , I'm joined by neurodiversity expert Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of Firebird. Together, we explore what it really takes to support neurodivergent talent at work – and why so many organisations are still getting it wrong. Rachel shares her own journey to late diagnosis of autism and ADHD, and how that e...

Why Individualised Development Matters in High Performing Teams  In this episode, Sherry Bevan talks to Will Nelson from GB Surfing. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at building an Olympic sport from the ground up. Will Nelson shares how GB Surfing is developing talent, creating structure, and competing on the world stage - alongside lessons on leadership, clarity, and performing under pressure...

Building High-Performing Teams with Agile & Human-Centred Design In this episode of the Team Talk Podcast , Sherry Bevan chats with Roxy Allen , a strategic talent development manager, about how Agile and human-centred design can transform teams and learning experiences. Roxy shares her journey from traditional HR roles to pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that empower individuals,...

From Player to Leader: Lessons in Trust, Identity and Transition In this episode, Sherry Bevan is joined by Helen Ward , Head of Women's Football at Watford FC and former Wales international with over 100 caps. Helen reflects on her journey through both the amateur and professional eras of women's football, sharing how the game has evolved and what it's taken to balance elite sport with work, moth...

How to build high-performing teams through curiosity, connection, and learning across sports and cultures. In this episode of Team Talk , Sherry Bevan speaks with Lúcás Ó'Ceallacháin, a high-performance coach with over 20 years of global experience across diverse sports, including Rugby, handball, wrestling, and artistic swimming. Lúcás shares insights on building high-performing teams, creating l...

What does it take to grow a national sport with limited resources? In this episode of Team Talk , Sherry Bevan is joined by Sion Kitson, Head of Development and Technical Lead at England Futsal. Sion explains what futsal is, why it's such a fast-paced and demanding sport, and how it differs from traditional football. He shares insights into the growth of futsal in England, including the developmen...

What does it really take to take a football club into the Football League for the first time in its history? In this episode of Team Talk , Sherry Bevan is joined by Matt Hall, Head of Football Operations and Administration at Bromley Football Club , to explore the unseen work behind on-pitch success. Matt shares Bromley's journey from non-league football to promotion in 2024, and what it means to...

What does it take to build - lose - and rebuild a high-performance team without losing belief or values? In this episode of Team Talk , Sherry Bevan speaks with Doug Ryder about leadership, resilience and community in professional cycling. Doug shares the journey from an "impossible" Olympic-era dream to leading the first African team at the Tour de France - and how Q36.5 Pro Cycling rebuilt after...

What happens when a high-performance team stops winning — and has to rebuild belief under pressure? In this episode of Team Talk , Sherry Bevan is joined by Scott Drawer , Performance Director at INEOS Grenadiers , to explore what it really takes to lead performance when the spotlight is unforgiving and results matter. Scott shares a behind-the-scenes view of professional cycling and the complexit...

Team Talk is a podcast about what really makes teams perform at their best. In this introduction episode, host Sherry Bevan shares why she created the podcast, her background in sport and leadership, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. Drawing on lessons from elite sport, business, and the charity sector, Team Talk explores team culture, leadership, resilience, and belonging - throug...