The Culture Colonel

Dr Balissa Greene is an award winning organisational psychologist with substantial leadership experience in large complex organisations. Her focus is on diversity, inclusion and culture change.  Balissa's knowledge and experience of the British Army is profound. Furthermore, her thought leadership is impressive. Her wisdom and commitment to evidence based decision making also recogn...

Victoria Kinkaid is a British Army doctor specialising in women's health. She is a qualified Human Security Advisor and co-founded the Female Genital Mutilation education project. She's also been shortlisted for a 2024 Women in Defence Award. Victoria grew up in Northern Ireland and shares how dreaming big, social justice, equality and feminism have shaped her life. She is passionate about ev...

Lieutenant Colonel Damian Jenkins is the Consultant Neurologist for the Armed Forces and he is also Dean of St Hugh's College, Oxford. He was awarded the MBE for transformational leadership and the professionalisation of the Army's LGBT+ Network.  Damian considers learning and leading with compassion, challenge and drive. He reminds us that leadership styles vary, but that removing obsta...

Jane Oremosu and Dr Maggie Semple are hugely successful businesswomen and thought-leaders on cultural change, inclusion and ethics with a focus on leadership development and governance. They are authors of My Little Black Book: A Blacktionary , - a pocket guide to the language of race. Jane and Maggie entertain and educate in equal measure. Both are hugely successful businesswomen with extens...

Gemma Morgan recounts her journey from a promising young army officer to a survivor of severe trauma. Her book, Pink Camouflage , exposes the harsh realities she faced, including PTSD from her Kosovo deployment and a traumatic assault by a fellow soldier. Gemma shares her experiences of neglect and stigma within the military, calling for urgent cultural change and better support systems. She discu...

Fiona Blyth shares her remarkable journey from serving with the British Army to her roles as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia and working with the United Nations. Fiona reveals how embracing risks and stepping into uncertainty have shaped her professional life and leadership approach.   She reflects on the challenges and growth that come with pursuing life-changing opportunities, emp...

Rabbi Samuel Landau is an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi and clinical psychologist who has recently worked with the British Army’s “Desert Rats” on cultural and behavioural change. Today he delves into the importance of traditions while highlighting the need to adapt them to fit modern society. He discusses the challenges of navigating complex issues with humour and humility, reflecting on the futility of...

Steve Prest is a recently retired Royal Navy Commodore. A leader renowned for his commitment to putting people first, Steve delves into the challenges of strategic leadership and the vital role of a growth mindset in fostering an empowering culture.  He shares insights on how humility and self-confidence are crucial for rewarding team efforts and building a resilient organisation. Steve discu...

Adam Powney—a dedicated army reservist, social media manager, and openly gay man—reveals his transformative journey from a sensitive, artistic young man unsure about fitting into the military to finding his place and thriving in an environment where he once thought he didn’t belong.   Reflecting on the advice he would give his 18-year-old self, Adam emphasises the importance of being tru...

Major Rosie Wild reflects on her historic achievement as the first woman to pass the parachute regiment's demanding P Company test in 2020. She candidly discusses how she followed a trail blazed by previous women who attempted and struggled with the course, honouring their pioneering efforts. Rosie emphasises her gratitude for their sacrifices and the path they paved, and she celebrates the progre...

BFBS Creative presents ‘The Culture Colonel,’ a series dedicated to exploring leadership within the Armed Forces and Defence sector.   Hosted by retired Army Colonel and now Creative’s Head of Inclusion Lindsay MacDuff , who has spent years involved in leadership, cultural and behavioural change in Defence, each episode features informal yet insightful conversations with guests who share thei...