BOTH SIDES OF THE DESK
Brought to you by Newcastle Helix.

One boss. One employee. Talk work culture from Both Sides of the Desk.

What happens when a private company wants to take CSR a little further and set up a charitable foundation? Amazing work is done - but there’s also a culture clash.

In this episode, host Charlie Charlton is joined for a candid discussion about this very predicament by Scott Logic’s Chief Strategy Officer Graham Odds and Colin Ferguson, General Manager of Altitude Foundation. In a bizarre turn of events following the financial crash, the software development company established a techy charity to support social mobility.

The trio chats about the challenges of sustaining your values, embedding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and how a mutually beneficial relationship can diversify your workforce and fill talent pipelines - through fun.

From hybrid working to digital networks and attitude to work, the pair don’t always agree, but they both share the same value-driven approach - which is a powerful thread that runs through everything at their shared Newcastle Helix office. 

Join Charlie, Graham and Colin in this passionate and lively discussion.


CREDITS:

In conversation: Graham Odds (Chief Strategy Officer, Scott Logic) and Colin Ferguson (General Manager, Altitude Foundation).

Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton 

Camera/Director: Chris Taylor 

Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald 

Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios 

Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO 

Media Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager 

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes 

Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

You can also see Charlie Charlton and her guests in action:

https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403


FURTHER READING:
Altitude Foundation Impact Report 2023:https://altitudefoundation.org/news/2149/

Digital Exclusion: https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/digital-exclusion-in-the-north-east-lep-area

Connect with Newcastle Helix:

• Website: https://www.newcastlehelix.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newcastle-helix/
• X: https://x.com/newcastlehelix
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newcastlehelix/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newcastlehelix/
• Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening to Both Sides of the Desk. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and join the conversation!

Brought to you by Newcastle Helix.

Both Sides of the Desk. One boss. One employee. Talk work culture.

Host Charlie Charlton is caught between two key players from the international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson. On one side of the desk is Partner Ian Atkinson, on the other is Legal Director-turned-Salaried Partner Francesca Hodgson. They discuss how the legal industry is changing, including practical ways to encourage a diverse, sustainable workforce. 

They examine the various ways to engineer social mobility and to bring together a hybrid workforce under shared values. This includes the transformative impact of investing in a building where the best office space isn't for Partners' offices but for a staff canteen.

For Francesca, there are two ladders to climb: navigating her career in law with a working-class background, and the shift to Partner, which is a male-dominated position. That's despite way more women than men choosing a career in law. 

While Ian’s upbringing is different, he still understands the importance of sourcing talent from all walks of life. He shares how WBD achieves this through contextualised recruitment, and follows it up with flexible working patterns that work alongside clients' needs.

Listen to Charlie, Francesca, and Ian as they tackle some tricky topics.

 
CREDITS:

In conversation: Ian Atkinson & Francesca Hodgson - Womble Bond Dickinson

Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton 

Camera/Director: Chris Taylor 

Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald 

Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios 

Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO 

Media Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager 

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes 

Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

 You can also see Charlie Charlton and her guests in action:

https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403


FURTHER READING:

 The Law Society: Building a more caring legal industry

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/hr-and-people-management/building-a-more-caring-legal-industry

 Solicitor’s Regulation Authority: Diversity in law firms' workforce

https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/equality-diversity/diversity-profession/diverse-legal-profession/

 Law Gazette: Women make up 37% of law firm partners, new SRA figures show

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/women-make-up-37-of-law-firm-partners-new-sra-figures-show/5118209.article

Connect with Newcastle Helix:

• Website: https://www.newcastlehelix.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newcastle-helix/
• X: https://x.com/newcastlehelix
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newcastlehelix/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newcastlehelix/
• Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening to Both Sides of the Desk. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and join the conversation!

Both Sides of the Desk. One boss. One employee. Talk work culture.

Host Charlie Charlton is caught between Leighton’s CEO James Bunting, and Senior Developer Tom Shanan. These software development experts work with businesses to build and implement technology that delivers real change. 

At Leighton, nurturing and promoting a positive work culture has been tricky, as 40% of the team works remotely, with the rest based in Newcastle. CEO James knows all too well the balance of keeping and retaining happy and high-performing employees, especially as a consultancy where much of the team is embedded into client structures. 

Developer Tom’s actions have paved the way for cultural change at Leighton, with many shifts benefiting the whole team. His ‘cheeky’ asks have ranged from taking a sabbatical, pushing for salary increases, and even having a rented desk in the capital. 

James values feedback that sparks positive change. This prompts a wider discussion between the three about how employees can effect change, the geographic salary divide, and how consultancies can roll out consistent work culture across a remote team. 

Both Sides of the Desk is here to ask the tough questions. Leighton bravely puts forward perhaps their most contentious team member for this frank discussion, and the result makes for great listening indeed. 

Discover the real meaning of ‘shy bairns get nowt’ with Charlie, James and Tom. 

CREDITS:

In conversation: James Bunting (CEO) and Tom Shanan (Senior Developer) - Leighton

Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton 

Camera/Director: Chris Taylor 

Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald 

Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios 

Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO 

Media Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager 

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes 

Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

See Charlie Charlton and her guests in action:

https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403


FURTHER READING:

• Sabbaticals: Guide for people professionals:

 https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/guides/sabbaticals-guide/

• Regional Tech Report: North East

https://www.uktech.news/regional-tech-report-north-east

• Digital Technology Evidence Base

https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/digital-technology-evidence-base

Connect with Newcastle Helix:

• Website: https://www.newcastlehelix.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newcastle-helix/
• X: https://x.com/newcastlehelix
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newcastlehelix/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newcastlehelix/
• Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening to Both Sides of the Desk. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and join the conversation!

Both Sides of the Desk. One boss. One employee. Talk work culture.

Host Charlie Charlton is caught between CEO Louise (Lou) Doyle, and Marketing Manager Sally Forsyth of Mesma. They deliver UK-wide quality assurance technology and consultancy to the education and employability sectors.

When it comes to recruitment and retention, they feel there's one looming issue that needs raising: 'parentcare'. With an ageing population comes the impact  of recruiting and retaining men and women who juggle jobs with caring for elderly relatives. This opens up a challenging conversation about flexibility, security and the risk of burnout. 

Lou is co-founder of Mesma with Carole Loader and have a female-dominated workforce. As an SME, Lou’s used her experience in the corporate world to implement a four-day week policy; hybrid and remote working; flexible work hours; maintaining an apprentice-first recruitment strategy.

Sally's energy and drive is obvious. She wants to dive into creatively satisfying projects at work but feels the frustration of not being able to 'have it all'. Sally balances her job with huge responsibilities at home, caring for family young and old. 

The line between work and home is now so blurred, so what can a business do to support, keep and get the best out of talented people? Find out with Charlie, Lou and Sally.

CREDITS:

• In conversation: Louise (Lou) Doyle, Co-founder and CEO of Mesma, and Sally Forsyth, Marketing Manager of Mesma
• Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton
• Camera/Director: Chris Taylor
• Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald
• Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios
• Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO Media
• Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes
Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix
Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

See Charlie Charlton and her guests in action: https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403

FURTHER READING:

• https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/women-bear-brunt-unpaid-labour-and-it-may-be-affecting-their-mental-health
• https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/reports/four-day-week/
• https://www.software.com/reports/future-of-work
• https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice

Connect with Newcastle Helix:

• Website: https://www.newcastlehelix.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newcastle-helix/
• X: https://x.com/newcastlehelix
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newcastlehelix/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newcastlehelix/
• Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening to Both Sides of the Desk. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and join the conversation!