The Plumm Pod

If half your workforce will face it, why is it still taboo? Today Margaret Wood, a menopausal transition facilitator, dismantles the myths, explains the brain science, and shows leaders how to stop losing brilliant women at their peak. You’ll hear how menopause actually shows up (it’s not just hot flushes), why men must be in the conversation, and the simple, practical moves any company can make t...

They’re not lazy. They’re anxious and misunderstood. In this powerful episode, Jessamine Ringer breaks down what every leader needs to know about Gen Z and the future of work. From why this generation values purpose over prestige to how managers can bridge the gap through empathy, clarity, and coaching, Jessamine exposes what’s really happening between generations in the workplace. You’ll learn: W...

She lost everything, but refused to lose herself. After surviving domestic abuse, Chloe Wallace rebuilt her life from scratch, turning pain into purpose. Today she’s a trauma informed HR consultant specialising in preventing workplace sexual misconduct and her framework is transforming how companies protect their people. In this episode, Chloe opens up about: The truth about escaping abuse and fin...

In this episode, Alice Stone shares her journey from HR apprentice and young mum to People Director and why a truly human-centred approach beats rigid rules. We unpack the real difference between legal flexible working and lived flexibility, how to kill presenteeism, and the systems that create safety, trust and performance. You’ll learn: Legal vs lived flexibility and what high-trust cultures act...

Working parents aren’t the exception, they’re half your workforce. In this episode, Becki Nazareth (L&D leader, turned working parent & carer specialist) shares what really breaks and fixes the experience for parents at work, from policy basics to culture, flexibility and line manager reality. You’ll learn: Why policy is just the foundation and what proactive support really looks like How...

A career in HR isn’t about formal training, it’s about skills you already have. In today’s episode, Rosalinda Buttice shares her remarkable journey from barista to Head of People Operations at Pension B. She talks about how the skills she developed in hospitality have shaped her approach to leadership and people management in the world of HR. Key Takeaways: The power of interpersonal skills in lea...

We say we’re “people first”, but candidates can tell when we’re not. This conversation is a reality check for how hiring actually feels in 2025. In this episode, Marie Chaproniere reveals how she fell into HR from performing arts and why great Talent Acquisition is far more than filling roles. We unpack what a real candidate experience looks like today, the mess, the honesty, and why transparency...

What if it all works out? In this episode, we chat with Abigail Cooper, People Partner, who shares invaluable insights on scaling teams and HR strategy. Abigail Cooper's journey from admin roles to shaping internal communication and succession planning provides a powerful blueprint for businesses navigating the future of work. You’ll learn: The core principles of internal comms that will keep...

In this episode, Claire shares her journey from HR to well-being strategist, revealing why setting boundaries is key to both personal and professional success. Claire talks about the challenges of overcommitting and how finding balance in the workplace is more crucial than ever, especially after the pandemic. You'll learn: Why well-being should be prioritised in the workplace to boost producti...

When 42% of leaders leave without warning, most companies panic. Amanda, finance turned HR strategist and chartered manager, explains how to future-proof your team before the vacancy hits. In this episode, we unpack practical, data-driven succession planning, why “accidental managers” are costing you growth, and how HR earns a real seat at the table by thinking like a business owner. You’ll learn:...

We say we want “nice” cultures, then wonder why people burn out. Tiger de Souza, People leader at Samaritans, reveals how charities and mission-driven teams can balance purpose, limited resources, and real human support without losing clarity or standards. What you’ll learn: Why “nice” cultures exhaust people and why kind cultures perform The 4 leadership principles Samaritans use (accountability,...

What happens when you climb to the top of your career… but lose yourself along the way? In this powerful conversation, Matt shares how he accidentally fell into HR, rose through global roles at UBS, and then faced the devastating reality of burnout that cost him his health, career, and identity. We uncover:How recruitment turned into a global HR careerThe hidden drivers behind burnout and why so m...

What if the key to retention, engagement, and authentic leadership isn’t perks or pay but community? In today’s episode, I sit down with David Hughes, Global Head of Talent at Costa Coffee, whose journey took him from competing for Great Britain in athletics to leading people, purpose, and community in one of the world’s most recognisable brands. We explore: How sport shaped his leadership philoso...

What if your financial health is the key to improving your work performance? In this powerful episode of The Plum Pod, Georgia is joined by Andrew Mulder, People Director at Nudge, as they explore the often-overlooked connection between financial well-being and employee productivity. From the impact of financial stress on mental health to why businesses should prioritise financial education, Andre...

In this episode, Alan, a seasoned HR leader, shares his insights on the emotional journey of navigating change in the workplace. He highlights the difference between change and transition, the importance of acceptance, and why transparency is essential in leadership. Alan also explores how self-awareness and personal growth can transform your leadership style. If you're an HR professional or l...

HR isn’t protecting people. It’s protecting companies. But what if that’s the problem? In this raw and eye-opening conversation, Georgia from Access HR sits down with Shane Mays, startup veteran and ER (employee relations) specialist for a brutally honest deep-dive into the real purpose of HR, why it’s broken, and how we can rebuild it from the inside out. From his beginnings as a software enginee...

What does it really take to lead a successful HR team in today’s fast-changing world? In this episode of The Plumm Pod, Georgia sits down with Lauren McDonagh, Head of People at Soho House, to reveal the realities of building high-performing HR teams. From creating psychological safety to managing burnout and leading with authenticity, Lauren shares practical insights and personal lessons every HR...

Every failed strategy starts with one blind spot: the lack of curiosity. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the power of curiosity as the foundation of successful people strategy. This isn’t just about business, it’s about the decisions that define us as leaders. Our guest Kenny Temowo shares a piercing insight: if you’re not asking why, you’re already behind. Through a candid conversat...

She didn’t fit the mould, so she became the blueprint. Keeran Gunnoo is a powerhouse in personal and corporate employer branding, shaping narratives for some of the world’s most recognisable companies, including LinkedIn, Unilever and Flow. In this raw and empowering conversation, she shares how she built a career that broke every rule and why it worked. From being headhunted by LinkedIn before pe...

What if HR wasn’t just support... but your biggest brand asset? In today’s episode, we sit down with Jessie, People Director at one of the UK’s most innovative creative agencies, to uncover how HR can redefine brand strategy from the inside out. Jessie shares her journey from hairdressing to HR leadership, and how she’s tearing up the traditional rulebook to build a people-first workplace rooted i...

They’re the most powerful people in your company… and the most overlooked. In this episode, we sit down with Chelsea, Head of People at Tomorrow, whose approach to middle management has transformed team performance and culture. From scaling challenges to personal breakthroughs, Chelsea reveals what most leaders get wrong about middle managers and what to do about it. Here’s what you’ll learn Why m...

In this episode, we sit down with Christine, Head of Talent & People at a pioneering quantum computing start up, to explore her unexpected journey from studying psychology during a global recession to leading people strategy in one of tech's most innovative sectors. Christine shares what it means to bridge the gap between talent acquisition and HR, the challenges of scaling a team from 12...

Welcome to The Plumm Pod, where we dive into the human side of work. This week Georgia sits down with senior people leader Kayleigh Davies to unpack how HR has moved from dusty personnel files to data-driven people experience and why start-ups can’t afford to keep treating culture as a perk wall. Kayleigh’s journey from ancient-history graduate to AI-sector HR strategist gives her a unique lens on...

Unlock the secrets of neuroinclusion and build a workplace where every neurodivergent employee can thrive. In this episode of the Plumm Pod, host Georgia Dixon, sits down with Lucy Wilson (Neurodiversity Inclusion Specialist & Founder, Mindshift Empowerment) to explore practical strategies for embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) across the entire employee life cycl...

In this insightful episode of the Plumm Pod, host Georgia chats with Jag Gill, a People Operations Leader, to explore the evolving landscape of HR. Discover what People Operations really means, how it differs from traditional HR, and why agility and transparency are key to modern workforce management. Jag shares his journey from photography to recruitment to PeopleOps, offers practical advice for...