The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence

Send us Fan Mail When a cyber incident hits your organisation, it's not just an IT problem – it's a leadership challenge that can last weeks or months. Michala Liavaag explores why traditional tabletop exercises fall short and how leaders can build real resilience through gamified, emotionally engaging preparation that mirrors the psychological pressure of actual incidents. Michala Liava...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you take the rigorous safety standards of feeding 70 million people daily and apply them to business resilience? In this episode, Larry Coons, Manager of Enterprise Risk & Business Continuity at McDonald’s, reveals how the disciplines of food safety and organisational resilience share more DNA than you might expect. Larry demonstrates that the best business c...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to grow the next generation of resilience leaders — and what role does mentorship play in building stronger, more confident teams? In this episode, Helen is joined by Sandra Bartley, a former business continuity professional who has journeyed from help desk supervisor to BCI-certified mentor and trainer. Sandra's story is a powerful reminder that resilience...

Send us Fan Mail What does resilience really look like beyond buzzwords and risk registers? Caroline Field, Partner at PA Consulting and co-founder of the Centre for Whole Society Resilience, explores it is a strategic advantage for organisations and communities facing constant disruption. Drawing on her work across infrastructure, policy and leadership, Caroline shares practical ways to embed res...

Send us Fan Mail Reputational challenges are no longer rare events; they’re an inevitable part of modern business. This episode unpacks what proactive PR readiness looks like and how leaders can communicate strategically before, during, and after a crisis.  Sarah Henderson, founder and MD of Purely Public Relations, joins The Prepared Leader to unpack what effective crisis communications looks lik...

Send us Fan Mail Mary Kemp, co-founder of Brighton AI and CEO of AI Potential, joins for an honest conversation about how AI is reshaping leadership, decision-making, and organisational resilience.  AI isn’t just a technical challenge but a people-focused journey. Mary highlights the importance of curiosity, mindset, and culture in successful adoption. She also shares stories from her own pivot in...

Send us Fan Mail Cybersecurity expert Robert Jumpp unpack the crucial intersection of cybersecurity and organisational resilience. Find out why cyber risk is no longer just an IT issue, but a strategic concern for leaders at every level. With real-world stories and practical insights from Robert’s experience across sectors like defence, banking and charities, you’ll hear how the landscape has shif...

Send us Fan Mail Sara McCracken is an award-winning PR strategist and founder of the PR Club. She joins The Prepared Leader to explore one of the most often overlooked yet critical aspects of resilience: communication.  Drawing from more than 20 years of experience helping organisations manage their reputation and prepare for media storms, Sara shares her insights on building robust communications...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode tackles a commonly missed growth avenue – selling to the public sector. Why do so many smaller firms avoid it? Is it really too complex or competitive, or are those just myths? Helen Lipscombe is joined by Shiona Campbell, founder of BDS – Business Development Support Ltd. With 15 years’ experience in local government and the third sector, Shiona now helps owner-le...

Send us Fan Mail Operational resilience isn’t just about compliance — it’s about culture, customers, and the way organisations think about disruption. In this episode of The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence , host Helen Lipscombe speaks with Nick Simms from Cornwood Consulting , who brings nearly 40 years’ experience in business continuity and resilience. Together, they explore what make...

Send us Fan Mail Organisational culture is more than a buzzword — it’s the invisible force shaping how people behave, make decisions, and respond to challenges. In this episode of The Prepared Leader , guest host Jo Grove-Lafarge sits down with Alison Crockford (Build Secure Thinking) and Helen Lipscombe (Resilience Continuity Consulting) to unpack what culture really means, how it’s shaped by lea...

Send us Fan Mail What does real resilient leadership look like — especially when uncertainty isn’t a one-off crisis but a constant reality? In this episode of The Prepared Leader , Helen Lipscombe is joined by Steve Rabson-Stark from Then Somehow , a leadership coach who works with organisations to unlock resilience through purposeful change. Together, they explore what makes leadership teams thri...

Send us Fan Mail How do you build resilience into a transport system that’s already stretched thin? In this episode of The Prepared Leader , Helen Lipscombe speaks with resilience leader Joanna Grove-Lafarge about why transport systems are under pressure like never before, and what organisations can do about it. From the Heathrow power outage to the Iberian grid failure, Joanna shares real-world l...

Send us Fan Mail In this kickoff episode of The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence , host Helen Lipscombe sits down with Tom Wootton, leadership coach and founder of the Scenario Testing Academy. Together, they explore why scenario testing is the secret weapon for leaders facing uncertainty. Discover why most organisations miss the mark on crisis readiness, how practical scenario work buil...

Send us Fan Mail In this first episode of The Prepared Leader, host Helen Lipscombe explains why confidence begins with readiness. Discover what this podcast is all about — and how bold strategies and real stories can empower you to lead through any crisis.  Until next time, stay prepared and stay resilient. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: Website: Resilience Continuity | UK Enjoying the show? Follo...