The Culture Builders

Following on from our recent podcasts looking at our work with ASOS - supporting them to build and sustain a High Performance Culture - we thought it high time to explore the concept more. We talk a great deal about the HPC, which gives a fundamental plan for the creation of an effective culture… But what is it?   Our Head of Programmes, Owen Cook, explored the concept with Chris Preston, Co-Found...

What does it take to navigate the balance between people and performance in a fast-moving, high-pressure digital fashion giant?   In our latest podcast episode, Emma Boswell, Senior Consultant at The Culture Builders, and Ras Vaghjiani, Executive Vice President of People Experience at ASOS, explore what a true high performance culture looks like when it is built from the bottom up. They share the...

Written and read by Chris Preston, this podcast shares a recent article from The Culture Builders that looks at one of the biggest leadership questions facing organisations today: how do we embrace AI and automation without stripping away the human connections that make culture thrive? Drawing on real examples from leadership sessions and client conversations, Chris examines the hidden cultural co...

What happens to our professional performance when our biology begins to shift? In this episode, Emma Boswell, Senior Consultant at The Culture Builders, sits down with Jacqui Mayes, a Nutritional Therapist with more than 15 years of experience, to unpack the often-ignored link between menopause and work. Jacqui dives deep into the physiological shifts of perimenopause, from the "brain energy" dip...

In this episode, Emma Boswell - Senior Consultant at The Culture Builders - and Nutritionist Jacqui Mayes explore how nutrition serves as a fundamental pillar for sustaining performance as part of the "Bank of Me" concept that we use to support Performance, Growth and Wellbeing. Jacqui shares her personal journey from a high-pressure career in television production to becoming a nutritionist, illu...

What does it take to lose 40kg while navigating the high-pressure world of civil engineering? In this episode, Lee Piper, a senior leader at Costain, joins us to share his incredible journey from burnout to reclaiming his health. Lee candidly discusses the physical and emotional toll of site life, from the camaraderie of late-night team sessions in Cornwall to the isolation of living in away from...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Abida Lalani, Strategy and Transformation Director. Having worked with Jane Sparrow for several years, the two of them sit down and discuss her wealth of experience in navigating and leading significant change. Abida brings a grounded and practical perspective to the often complex world of transformation. In this episode, Abida takes us on a journey thro...

Chris has recently been speaking to a number of experts on the subject of the 50-60 year sprint for professionals in business. Following on from his conversion with Joanna Lockwood, he has reconnected with regular TCB Podcast contributor Steve Butler - author of a number of books, the most relevant of which covers exactly this topic - The Midlife Review. They highlight the new obstacles that arise...

Using his own recent experience of hitting the '50s doldrums' Chris has reached out to two experts in the area of managing age diversity to seek their thoughts and advice on how organisations can properly support their senior talent as it passes through a very complex decade of life.   First up is one of Chris' LinkedIn heroes - Joanne Lockwood - a highly respected expert and thought leader on inc...

Chris recently spoke at a HR Network conference in Scotland - sharing the outputs from our research around the future trends for leaders, and the impact of the unintended consequences that the many wellbeing, inclusion, care and support initiatives are having on managers and leaders. With so much now to contend with, and a rightful focus on employees living sustainable lives, we've pushed so much...

At the end of 2024, Jane and Chris - co-founders of The Culture Builders - took time to reflect on the seismic shift that's taken place over the last ten years. Many organisations have successfully built employee care and wellbeing programmes that encourage people to bring their whole selves to the business, and provide them with a wealth of support options to tackle issues of health, stress, incl...

In this episode, Jane and Andrew talk about the impact of taking care of yourself, using your support network, and leading with trust, openness and clarity during transformation. They reflect on the lessons learnt throughout the years and discuss the importance of taking people with you on a journey of discovery and belief.  With a diverse career working with organisations such as Nike and PepsiCo...

For episode eight of our Change Maker podcast series Jane Sparrow and Steve Thorn are sharing their tips and advice for navigating and leading change.  Talking intentionality around tone, language used and managing pace - for yourself and those around you - Steve and Jane draw on their shared experiences and leave you with a whole host of tools and tips to guide you on your change journey too.  Th...

In our latest podcast episode, Jane Sparrow is in conversations with Pip Smith, Director of Strategic Change & Portfolio at @ Currys, to talk about all things change leadership. Talking lessons and moments from their combined experiences of leading change. Pip shares her top lessons from 17 years experience in transformation; the importance of linking to the vision, sharing proof points and tr...

As part of our in-depth change maker podcast series Jane Sparrow speaks to Andy McGoff, Director of Finance and Operations at Edinburgh Napier University. With a rich bank of knowledge and involvement in all levels of change from start up scale to large scale, he stresses the importance of keeping a golden thread of trust throughout, investing time in your teams and creating an environment where y...

In this episode, Jane Sparrow discusses all things transformation with Asha Amster. She has a rich career, working in various transformation and business roles, for a range of multinational companies, largely in TV and Entertainment. Asha talks about the importance of the sector, how many people escape through entertainment during change, and the value of joy and immersion during your down time. ...

Sam Tewungwa, Managing Director at UKTV and President, UK Region BBC Studios, joins Jane Sparrow for the latest Change Maker podcast. Sam is currently leading the UKTV Digital transformation and has a wealth of experience leading change throughout his rich career.  In this episode, they talk about their shared passion for remembering the human side of change, the importance of looking for feedback...

Jane Sparrow is joined by Charlotte Eaton, CPO & Customer Experience at OVO Energy, for the next instalment of our change maker series to reflect on her key change leadership lessons through her sparkling career. Charlotte covers the importance of investing in relationships, connection and intentionality when leading change. Find out how she got her fingers burned and listened to some tough fe...

Episode two of our Change maker podcast series - Jane Sparrow is joined by Chief People Officer at at EXA Infrastructure, Carrie Cushing.  Carrie and Jane discuss the need for connecting change to your day to day life and your stakeholders. Carrie shares how she's learned the power of connecting change to each individual's context and taking the time to help people make sense of it. She's seen a b...

Kicking off our series of Change Leadership Lessons, Jane Sparrow is joined by Phil Rumbol  Phil is a Non Exec Director and advisor who has held many Senior Marketing and Commercial roles within Cadbury, Whitbread, Bahlsen, AB InBev.  Listen now to hear some of the lessons and strategies learnt from leading change and Phils valuable advice to others who are about to embark on their own change jour...

Over the coming weeks we will be sharing a series of podcasts from some of the most progressive leaders in the UK and wider world - people that have built successful paths through change, and possess a wealth of knowledge around the practical, personal and leadership skills needed to help people during some of the toughest moments in their career. Watch out for the first episode, landing soon, alo...

Another year tucked under our belts, and a whole heap of challenges, successes and growth. Like most people, we’ve forgotten most of it… and it took some time to recall enough to pull our last 2023 podcast together! Chris and Jane muse on the ups and downs for the company, and the big learnings that the year has produced. Late trains, difficult conversations, bees, workloads and collaboration (lac...

Jane managed to fulfil a personal objective for 2023 – just under the wire as the year ends. Ever since meeting Paula Carnell - Environmental Consultant of the Year - at a ‘honey tasting’ event, she has wanted to find an opportunity to interview her on our podcast channel. Why? Because her experiences and views on the importance of bees and honey for the health and wellbeing of humans is becoming...

A fortuitous review of Leanne Mair’s new book: Closing the Gap, led to not one, but two podcasts with the author. The book is an in-depth look at the disparity that black women face in the working world - despite being a group identified as some of the most hard-working, professional and well educated people we have the opportunity to recruit. Leanne has a wealth of experience and insight (more th...

As part of our support for ADHD awareness month, Jane Sparrow interviewed Samantha Hiew, PhD – an acknowledged expert on the subject, and someone who has a wealth of experience and advice for people with ADHD and those working and living alongside them.   The podcast is full of practical examples of how a person with ADHD navigates the world, how they best operate and the ideal ways that leaders c...