Although we’ve seen significant strides over the last couple of years when it comes to improving Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace, there’s no denying that there’s still a LONG way to go in terms of creating workplace cultures in which every individual feels safe, a sense of belonging and able to be their full, authentic selves. We’re joined today by Lyndsey Britton-Lee and Lynsey Harbottle, Co-Founders of the Diversity & Inclusion training and consultancy company - 50:50 Future.The two wonderful Lyndsey’s are on a mission to make equal opportunities for ALL through educating, raising awareness and helping employers to build robust D&I strategies.

The impact that learning can have on our wellbeing is well-documented - it boosts our self-confidence, raises self-esteem, helps us to build a sense of purpose (hence why it’s deemed as one of THE 5 Ways to Wellbeing) BUT employers really need to bump learning and development opportunities up their priority list.

We’re joined in this episode by someone who truly appreciates the benefits of learning, upskilling staff and having a well-trained team - the wonderful goal-getter Jessica Williams.

Jess is the Managing Director of Just Williams and Founder of the Just Williams Sales Academy.She created the Sales Academy having seen the need for businesses to constantly upskill their people, to hold onto their best talent and attract new stellar staff, and we’re really looking forward to talking to her today on the importance of learning and development in the workplace…

Work-life balance, the importance of being transparent to build trust and support one another at work.

Work-life balance - a phrase we’ve heard SO much of since the pandemic, and something that has become a key deal breaker for job hunters with research revealing that two-thirds of employees think work-life balance is much more valuable than pay.

But is a healthy work-life balance really achievable?

In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Heward, the super passionate COO for Teesside's digital equality charity, Tech Equal, former Director and Business Owner of child care business, UNA Nannies and most importantly MUM to her 1-year old daughter, Alpha. Since returning to full-time work as a new mum, Sarah has been totally transparent about her roller coaster journey and the challenging transition period of nanny to business owner to mummy AND business leader, yet she shows that having a career doesn’t have to come at the cost of being an awesome parent. Sarah joins us to talk all about the importance of work-life balance and how employers can play a key part in helping their people to achieve it. Hosted by Marie Ranson, Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Key Wellbeing Ltd.

The number of men and women in the world is roughly equal, but although we’ve got equality in numbers, we don’t always have equality in how people are treated.

We’ve all heard the saying “this is a man’s world” right? The sad thing is, many still believe it.

We’re joined today by the wonderful Claire Preston who is Head of Operations at the Power of Women CIC - an AMAZING fundraising initiative that’s on a mission to change the old school ‘mans world’ narrative by providing young women across the Tees Valley with inspiration, resources and information to let them know that they have the power to do ANYTHING.

With a career in management, teaching and training, Claire has a tonne of knowledge and experience that she brings to the PoW campaign along with her own passion for growth, inspiring others and supporting equality and we can’t WAIT to talk to her today on the subject of just how important female empowerment really is!

With men often renowned for their constant jeers, jokes and jibes in the workplace, it’s easy to assume that everything’s okay. But beyond the banter, is it really?

There’s some staggering stats on men’s mental health that suggest otherwise! The latest one being that men are in fact struggling with anxiety more than EVER, as found by new Bupa research.

Joining us for our first episode of Lunchtime Listens is the incredible businessman and award-winning digital leader, Dominic Lusardi, to talk about the taboo topic of mental health from a male's perspective.