In today’s “HR on the Offensive” podcast, Chris and LACEr Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Jig Ramji, Chief Talent Officer at Aviva, as they explore skills-based organisations potential to redefine traditional HR practices and empower employees along the way. They discuss the ways this shift influences talent acquisition, reward systems and career progression as organisations prioritise skills over roles or hierarchies.

This podcast is part of our Becoming skills-powered campaign where we are unpacking some of the BIG questions around skills approaches; from what the foundations are through to which skills solutions are right for you.

More info on our campaign: https://lacepartners.co.uk/becoming-skills-powered/

At LACE we talk about how we are ‘fundamentally different’ HR consultancy but what does that really mean? This guiding principle, or as we call it the LACE way, informs our approach to both clients and internal operations. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris speaks with LACE co-founder Aaron Alburey on what makes LACE 'fundamentally different'.

Listen now for insights on how LACE approaches their projects, whether it’s people strategy or improving your payroll function we have a unique approach and culture that’s worth knowing about it.

HR professionals often carry the weight of organisational wellbeing on their shoulders. But in this case; who supports the supporters? In this insightful discussion from the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard and Chris Horton explore this often-overlooked challenge alongside Paul McGregor, a mental health advocate and founder of Everymind at Work.

Listen now to learn how to build a workplace that ensures all employees are supported.

Imagine a workplace where creativity thrives, unbounded by traditional barriers—this concept is called “borderless creativity.” In this episode of HR on the Offensive, Chris and fellow LACEr Debbie Mitchell speak to Elaine Grell, Chief People Officer of Ogilvy, as they explore this concept and its transformative implications for leadership, diversity and workplace culture.

Listen now to learn how your organisation can resist stagnation and foster a workplace culture that cultivates innovation.

In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris is joined by LACErs Charlie Frost and Aaron Lynch, our in-house AI experts, as they chat with Ben Williams, Founder and Managing Director of Sten10. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on organisations attempting to become skills-powered.

Listen now to learn how AI is reshaping workplace dynamics, skill requirements, and organisational strategies.

In this special episode of HR on the Offensive, Chris sits down with our Co-Founders, Aaron Alburey and Cathy Acratopulo, to reflect on 10 incredible years. Together, they look back on LACE’s journey from an ambitious vision in 2014 to a leading consultancy with a team of nearly 100, a trusted network of associates, and long-lasting client partnerships across industries.

Aaron and Cathy share memorable moments, from early years that were all about laying strong foundations to the milestones along the way. A standout example: the pandemic, when team well-being and client support came first—weekly all-hands meetings and a stronger listening culture were some of the enduring practices born from that time.

Today, LACE’s legacy includes a growing community of alumni, clients, and partners. As they look forward, Aaron and Cathy share their hopes for the future, aiming for continued growth while staying true to LACE’s core values: passion, innovation, and care.

In our latest HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACE director Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Tom Larter, CEO of WithYouWithMe, a software platform which maps and manages workforce skills, allowing organisations to understand current capabilities and future requirements. The discussion centred around the organisation's innovative approach to combatting underemployment and fostering inclusive hiring practices.

Listen now to learn how a skills-first approach can transform the way you hire and manage your talent in your organisation as well as unlocking untapped talent pools across the market.

In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris and LACE CEO Cathy Acratopulo are joined by Lucinda Carney, CEO and Founder of Actus and host of the HR Uprising podcast. They explore how organisational development (OD) reaches beyond structure to drive leadership development, talent management, culture, and continuous improvement—all aligning with broader business strategy.

Listen now to learn how organisation design can drive business transformation with people-focused solutions that meet your organisation's objectives.

In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACEr Gemma Ryall speak to Simon Gibson, Head of Talent at Center Parcs. The focus of the podcast is skills-based organisations and how companies can effectively transition to a skills-focused approach. More organisations are moving to a skills-based approach. That’s why we’ve launched our Becoming skills-Powered campaign to explore the key questions and challenges surrounding this shift - https://lacepartners.co.uk/becoming-skills-powered/

Listen now to learn how you can use a skills-based approach to bridge your skill gaps.

In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACE Director Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Neil Carberry, CEO of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), on how the world of recruitment is undergoing a significant transformation.

Listen now to learn how businesses and recruiters are rethinking their approaches to talent acquisition and workforce management.