The Watchword Podcast

Zoe has found success working in tech, having spent three years working with Deliveroo during a period of huge growth before moving on to one of the most intriguing tech companies in the world. In our discussion Zoe reflects on joining the Navy aged 18, the power of the Invictus games, being a woman working in tech and how to build engaged teams. I really enjoyed talking to her and hope you enjoy...

Steve McCulley started his own business which builds and fits custom made bikes, from mountain bikes to road bikes. They are hand made in the UK and customised to each client. The name of the company is Lios, he named it after his children Lily and Oscar. If you are a keen cyclist then check out https://www.liosbikes.com and consider treating yourself because not only are the bikes designed and bu...

Jonny Ball has combined his two passions - the military and politics - to form Campaign Force, which exists to get veterans and those from the military community into politics at all levels, from local organisations through to becoming Members of Parliament. Talking to Jonny was an education, his passion is infectious and his message presents some great options for people to consider, whether as a...

Gary started off his career as a prison officer before deciding to join the Army. He went on to become a Forward Observer in the Royal Artillery and has served for 12 years, achieving a great deal including a considerable battlefield promotion whilst on operations. There are several reasons for doing this podcast, one is to highlight the quality of people of all ranks leaving the Armed forces. The...

Richard is a former Royal Marine officer who was injured whilst on operations, he went on to work in investment banking before realising it wasn’t for him. Since then he has worked for Help for Heroes and is now the CEO of Team Rubicon UK, the charity that has led the way in supporting the NHS, emergency services and local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Richard loves his job, his reflec...

Nick grew up wanting to be a Royal Marine and achieved his ambition, going on to conduct multiple operational tours all over the world including serving in support of the Special Forces. The impact of his activities took its toll and he was eventually discharged from the military due to a diagnosis of complex PTSD. Nick found sanctuary in the outdoors and started Hidden valley bushcraft, which exi...

Louise spent over 11 years in the Police, during that time she married her husband Nick, a Royal Marine who was later forced to retire from service. After buying a small woodland they established Hidden Valley Bush craft, which has evolved into a place for healing, learning and developing outdoors, amongst nature. It is an inspirational story and you can find out more at hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.u...

Ryan was born in Boulder Colorado and grew up living an outdoors lifestyle. In his youth he volunteered for the Peace Corps and worked in Honduras helping disadvantaged children before deciding he was going to ride his bike back through South America instead of fly. Since then he has led a life dedicated to the outdoors and adventure which has taken him to Nepal, Europe, South America and all over...

Heather Stanning grew up wanting to join the Army. Having developed a passion for rowing at university she went on to balance her career in the military with being an elite athlete. Heather became a double Olympic champion, winning gold in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, in addition to a number of other world and European championship titles. Since retiring from rowing, she has continued to...

Samuel Hall started his career studying law at Oxford University, going on to work in corporate law for several years. After a great deal of reflection Samuel changed tack and moved into the world of startups. He then worked in a variety of functions within different start-ups, gaining a generalist skillset, becoming comfortable with risk and acquiring the ability to change direction quickly led t...

Jeremy Gibbs worked in the agricultural industry for 25 years, he changed direction and launched Forces Farming. Forces Farming offers servicemen and women the opportunity to transition into various roles within the agricultural industry. Jeremy has a interesting story and I think it is a great plan.

Ben Legg spent 10 years serving as an officer in the Royal Engineers before embarking on a career that has seen him work for McKinsey, Coca Cola & Google prior to moving into the world of start-ups. Ben now advises, mentors and invests in start-ups he believes have a chance of changing the world for the better. He has some thought-provoking ideas on the changes required to health care in the U...

Welcome to the Watchword Podcast, exploring life's big decisions and the factors behind them. In this episode, I talk to Helen Barnett. Helen joined the Police force aged 18 because she wanted to serve the community and help people. During her career she was involved in violent incidents whilst serving with both the regular Police and the SO19 Armed police response unit, having been the first moth...

Mark Billingham MBE joined the Parachute Regiment in 1983 and the SAS in 1991, he was responsible for the planning and execution of strategic operations at the highest level in numerous locations (Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and Africa) and has lead countless hostage rescues. Having left the military in 2015, he became a bodyguard and looked after people such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sir...

Andrew Bell grew up in Durham, he loved sport and ultimately specialised in the martial art jui jitsu. Having got a law degree and started his career, his life changed one day when riding his motorbike. He was involved in a crash which left him paralysed from the chest down. The ensuing years were amongst as challenging as any individual and family could go through. If you are affected by anything...

Dave Coffey applied to join the Army as a private soldier aged 15 years and 9 months to escape a troubled childhood. 25 years later he left the Army having completed 8 operational tours, including 3 fighting tours of Iraq and one of Afghanistan as a Company Sergeant Major. There are two reasons for doing this podcast, the first is to explore the reality of war with someone who has experienced chal...

Ben Lipscynski spent 13 years as an officer in the Navy serving on both submarines and ships before deciding to take the leap into cyber security in 2015. Ben has worked for EY, Accenture and now at another of the big four consulting firms.  In this episode we talk about current cyber threats as well as Ben's path into the industry. His story is one of a hugely successful transition and we ho...

The primary aim of The Watchword Podcast is to help people.  In this episode I talk to Justin Standfield who runs a training and development company called Incendo. Justin specialises in leadership consultancy and amongst many other things he has been trained by the UK College of Mindfulness Meditation as a mindfulness teacher. He is also a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute. In...

Adam Hugill grew up in a small town in East Yorkshire, after becoming a cadet he developed an ambition to join the military as an officer. Adam achieved his aim and served in the Army for 8 years, whilst in Afghanistan he read book about cycling around the world and a seed was planted which led him to leave the military and embark on a 20,000km adventure that changed his perspective on life. It is...

Hugh Keir signed up to join the Army in 1999, joining the Parachute Regiment before serving for eleven years, completing 2 tours of Northern Ireland, 2 tours of Iraq and 3 tours of Afghanistan, most of which as a sniper and then sniper team leader.  Hugh left the Army in 2011 and went on to start the H Hour podcast with the aim of helping the veteran community, he now works for satellite comm...

Stuart began his career as a teacher, balancing rugby and education until he transitioned to coaching full time, starting a journey which led him to become the England Rugby Head Coach and then on to Leinster, arguably the best club team in Europe. Stuart has dedicated his life to helping others perform whilst continuing to learn himself and I found the conversation inspirational. If you would lik...

Paul Mather helped grow Deliveroo from 100 delivery drivers to nearly 60,000 in five years. Prior to that he served as an officer in the Army, deploying to Afghanistan in 2013. Paul reflects on some of life's big decisions, what made this Oxford graduate avoid the trappings of the city and join the Army? And how did that lead to 6 years (and counting) dedicated to start ups, growing businesses and...

Jimmy Clark joined the Army after deciding to leave his corporate graduate job just 3 months after starting it. Jimmy reflects on some of life's big decisions and the factors behind them. What took him from a child who liked amateur dramatics and science fiction to fighting in one of the worst parts of Afghanistan?

The Watchword Podcast tells the stories of challenge and success. Our aim is to talk to people from all backgrounds and careers to share the benefit of their experience. Reflecting on life's big decisions and the factors behind them so that you are better informed when planning your own path. Due to my background in the Army, we are starting with several military people, but plan to quickly divers...