My Duvet Flip by Jackson Parsons

Episode Guest:

Tom Coltman is a Store Manager at Marks & Spencer, having risen through the ranks from work experience to leadership in just seven years. He's passionate about building confidence, resilience, and opportunities for the next generation of retail leaders.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

1:21 Tom’s First Job — From College to Retail

3:10 Finding Confidence on the Shop Floor

5:05 Climbing the M&S Ladder

7:00 Stepping Up During a Christmas Crisis

9:15 What Makes a Great Manager

11:05 Role Models & Lessons in Leadership

13:12 How Empathy Built My Career

15:05 Why M&S is More Than Just Retail

17:22 Managing Stress & Staying Calm

19:00 Helping the Next Generation Flip the Duvet

21:15 Tom’s Duvet Flip — What Gets Him Up Every Day

23:00 Final Reflections & Words of Advice

Episode Partners

M&S

M&S is a trusted global retailer, committed to quality, value, and innovation. For over a century, it has set industry standards by doing the right thing and embracing change. With 65,000 colleagues serving 32 million customers worldwide, M&S places quality at the heart of everything it does.

https://bit.ly/4mVHfLO

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Jane Mustoe is Director of Technology at Tesco, where she leads teams focused on enabling functions and driving innovation through cutting-edge tech. With a background spanning financial services and retail, she’s passionate about building products that truly connect with customers.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:46 Meet the Director of Technology at Tesco

1:51 Jane’s First Job & Early Lessons

3:45 How Orchestras Taught Her to Lead Tech Teams

5:36 Why Jane Chose Tech (Even in the Green-Screen Era)

6:59 Product Obsession: Where Tech Meets Design

7:44 Breaking into Tech as a Woman – Then and Now

10:49 How to Stay in Control of Your Career

12:15 Jane’s Roles in Tech: Then vs. Now

14:45 Tesco’s Four Tech Families Explained

16:01 Why Jane Still Chooses Product Today

16:54 Is AI Making Better Technologists?

18:06 From Finance to Retail: Making the Career Leap

19:50 Signs It’s Time to Make a Career Move

20:55 Why Retail — and Why Tesco

22:06 How to Stand Out When Applying to Tesco

24:31 Tesco’s Culture of Realness & Opportunity

26:03 What Makes Jane Happy at Tesco

27:35 What Her 1,400-Person Tech Team Actually Builds

29:11 Innovation Labs: From Idea to Store in Weeks

31:00 Frictionless Shopping & the Future of Retail

32:45 AI, Apps & Accessible Innovation

34:28 The One Trait Behind a Great Tech Career

35:08 Jane’s Duvet Flip: Why She Gets Out of Bed

Episode Partners

Hg Foundation

Together with The Hg Foundation, we’re on a mission to motivate and inspire young people like you to explore, or even start a career in technology through inspirational talks from industry.

https://bit.ly/4mwzRGs

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Nicola Green is the Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, where she leads all internal and external communications, brand PR, and public affairs. With over two decades of experience, she’s a driving force behind major industry campaigns and a passionate advocate for building trust through authentic communication.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:43 Meet Nicola Green: Role at Virgin Media O2

1:18 Paper rounds and the power of early graft

2:30 Building confidence through work, not textbooks

3:49 The teacher who fuelled Nicola’s drive

5:08 The impact of setbacks and self-belief

6:35 Balancing hard graft and glass-half-full mindset

8:00 Learning from the hard parts of the job

9:42 Internal vs external comms: what Nicola learned

11:01 Helping others see the opportunity

12:31 Why mentors matter (and when to move on)

13:53 The fearlessness of youth vs corporate caution

15:16 The 6-letter hustle that unlocked her career

17:04 Staying curious in the boardroom

19:01 Bringing the customer into every conversation

20:12 18 years at O2: from startup spirit to industry impact

22:41 From iPhone launches to Beyoncé at The O2

24:45 Why you don’t need to know tech to work in telco

26:03 Writing is still a superpower

27:47 How AI helps — and hinders — comms

30:00 AI as a starting point, not a solution

32:58 Daisy AI: Using tech for good

34:00 Will AI replace comms jobs? Nicola’s view

36:16 The three life lessons Nicola lives by

37:30 Why connections are your career currency

38:20 Nicola’s duvet flip: enjoying the work, being a role model

Episode Partners

Hg Foundation

Together with The Hg Foundation, we’re on a mission to motivate and inspire young people like you to explore, or even start a career in technology through inspirational talks from industry.

https://bit.ly/4mwzRGs

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Adrian Goddard ACIPP is the Commercial Director at the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), where he leads commercial growth strategy, bringing together sales, marketing, and events to deliver value for members, partners, and the wider payroll community. With over 20 years of cross-sector commercial expertise and more than a decade in leadership, Adrian is passionate about championing payroll as the heartbeat of every organisation.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:41 Meet Adrian Goddard — Commercial Director at CIPP

1:46 Adrian's rap surprise for Jack

3:03 The origin of Adrian’s lyrical talent

4:36 How poetry, church, and gospel performances built confidence

6:00 Understanding and overcoming fear

7:00 Imposter syndrome at director level

8:50 Choosing confidence over regret

10:01 Adrian’s unexpected route into payroll

13:31 Advice for job seekers and interview moments that matter

15:20 The power of people: community, counsel, and coaching

16:55 Grieving, counselling, and building emotional intelligence

18:36 The 4 types of support every leader needs

20:00 Vision, coaching, and becoming a director at 33

21:00 Breaking glass ceilings as a Black leader

22:35 Message to young Black men aspiring to lead

24:00 Home discipline and leadership authenticity

25:30 Why payroll is vital to every business

27:20 The emotional impact of getting pay wrong

28:50 Learning payroll from the inside out (with help from his wife)

30:10 What a Commercial Director at CIPP really does

31:15 How AI is changing the payroll industry

33:00 Why young people should consider a career in payroll

34:20 How CIPP is reaching the next generation

35:15 Innovating with festivals, strategy, and youth-led ideas

37:21 Adrian’s invisible success: the 3 Cs of his leadership brand

39:31 Adrian’s Duvet Flip: freedom, family and faith

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Joanne Musselle is the Group Chief Underwriting Officer at Hiscox, where she oversees global underwriting strategy and risk management. With more than two decades in the industry, Joanne is passionate about mentoring future leaders and showcasing insurance as a career that powers progress.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:46 Why Joanne said yes to My Duvet Flip

1:21 Growing up in Barry, Wales

2:28 Early jobs that built Joanne’s work ethic

3:49 Lessons from working in a hospital

5:03 Discovering a career in insurance

6:13 Handling rejection and the power of feedback

8:15 Overcoming “feedback fear”

10:09 Tailoring feedback to different personalities

12:33 The surprising scope of insurance

13:42 Why you must understand insurance end-to-end

15:21 Claims as the “shop window” of insurance

15:54 Explaining underwriting with M&Ms

17:04 How insurers price risk

18:57 The impact of climate change on insurance

20:02 The real purpose of insurance: pooling risk

20:55 Lifelong lessons from parents and early mentors

22:12 Why striving for perfection holds you back

22:56 Moving to Singapore — a career-defining leap

24:39 Building confidence by taking opportunities

26:40 The importance of generosity and community

27:50 Mentorship and the value of giving back

28:17 22 years at Hiscox — why Joanne stayed

28:55 The non-negotiable values that guide Hiscox

30:05 Why young people should consider a career in insurance

32:14 How cyber and AI are shaping the future of risk

32:44 One action to take if you want to be an underwriter

34:27 Joanne’s duvet flip – what gets her out of bed in the morning

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Laura Shaw is Head of Digital Trading at Hiscox UK, where she leads the integration of technology and broker relationships to drive growth. With over 25 years at Hiscox, she has held 12 different roles, championing change and the development of future talent.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:09 Why Laura said yes to My Duvet Flip

1:12 First job lessons — from WH Smith to the post office

2:20 Why applying for more than one job matters

3:40 Discovering insurance after university

4:57 Surprises about the insurance industry

5:04 26 years, 12 jobs — Laura’s Hiscox journey

6:01 Moving from trainee underwriter to new opportunities

7:02 Taking risks and battling imposter syndrome

7:56 Learning new skills in different locations

8:46 Why meeting people in person matters

9:39 Dealing with things going wrong — honesty first

10:20 Finding confidence and being authentic at work

11:32 Why people are at the heart of Hiscox

12:14 When colleagues leave — keeping relationships alive

12:57 Laura’s current role — digital trading explained

13:56 Bringing AI into insurance

15:18 The skills needed to use AI effectively

17:10 Top three skills Laura looks for in her team

18:08 Secrets to a successful insurance career

19:04 Why young people should join insurance

20:16 Laura’s advice for your first day at Hiscox

20:52 The two reasons she’s stayed 26 years

21:58 One word to sum up her career: change

22:45 How to embrace change as a journey

23:14 Laura’s duvet flip — the future of insurance

Episode Partner:

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Steve Parry is Group Claims Director at Hiscox, where he leads global claims operations with a focus on fairness, innovation, and helping customers navigate challenges.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:33 Steve’s first job in Manchester

1:29 Why Steve chose insurance over the family business

2:37 Starting in claims with just £250 authority

3:35 From Manchester to London – chasing bigger opportunities

4:33 Restless ambition and the “Incredible Hulk” drive

6:02 Core values: fairness, respect and honesty

7:55 Lessons from a $20m mistake in South Korea

9:39 How competition shaped (and humbled) Steve’s career

11:49 Building winning teams: Negative Nellys and Analytical Andys

14:19 Coaching and steering teams to success

16:11 The toughest jobs Steve’s ever had

18:17 Steering noisy meetings back on track

19:39 Why “Steering Steve” became his superpower

21:00 The future of insurance: change and agility

22:43 Why customer journeys will define the industry

24:31 Balancing tech, AI and the human touch

27:19 How AI is reshaping claims and service

29:02 Why insurance claims is an exciting career path

30:39 Data, prevention and the future of claims

32:46 Why Steve is passionate about mentoring

35:22 The power of being restless and authentic

37:24 Why crab moves matter in your career

38:58 Steve’s duvet flip – what gets him out of bed

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Chris Loake is the Group Chief Information Officer at Hiscox, where he leads global technology, data, and cybersecurity. With a career spanning finance, banking, and technology, Chris is passionate about resilience, adaptability, and building winning teams.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:43 Chris’s first ever podcast

1:17 From paper round to first jobs

2:00 Advice for your first day at work

2:32 From Harvester to accountancy

3:21 Why hating a job can be valuable

3:56 Discovering technology by accident

4:48 Building a first career plan

5:52 How to succeed with “no skills or experience”

6:38 Programming vs leading

7:14 Routes into technology: apprenticeships and bootcamps

8:25 Tech roles that aren’t coding

9:19 What makes someone “super techie”?

9:51 Lessons from technology for life balance

10:43 Building resilience through sport and work

12:03 Why you should never be the fastest in the club

12:26 Work with people who inspire you

13:02 What to ask in a job interview

14:02 Discipline vs motivation

15:21 How to stay disciplined in your career

15:50 Career pivots and lessons learned

17:04 Running towards the hard stuff

17:31 Why failure matters

18:04 The record label failure story

19:00 Why Chris chose business over entrepreneurship

20:28 What makes a true entrepreneur

21:38 Small business vs large business experience

22:46 Go where the people inspire you

23:32 Career pivots vs job hopping

25:00 Landing a first job in tech

25:49 What a Group CIO really does

27:04 How to experiment with new technologies

28:17 Transferable lessons between tech and careers

28:54 CIO vs CTO explained

29:33 The career steps needed for leadership in tech

29:39 Why Chris joined Hiscox

30:47 Technology as a competitive advantage

31:38 Supercharging people with technology

32:44 Why adaptability is the ultimate skill

33:27 From asking two questions to asking 200

34:15 Chris’s invisible success

35:23 Chris’s duvet flip – what gets him out of bed

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

James Brady is the Property Divisional Director at Hiscox, where he leads underwriting and strategy across the UK property market. With over 18 years at Hiscox, James has built teams, led growth, and championed insurance as one of the world’s best-kept career secrets.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:41 James on demystifying insurance careers

1:12 First job and early lessons in pensions

2:33 How to stand out in a competitive job market

3:28 Knowing your differentiator in interviews

4:40 When a “good vibe” job isn’t the right fit

5:28 Why you should never leave without another role lined up

6:21 The role of recruiters and how to spot a good one

8:12 Why you must drive your own career

9:41 The non-linear path to success

10:46 What Hiscox taught James about opportunity

12:22 Why insurance is the world’s best-kept career secret

13:36 The variety of careers inside insurance

14:57 How the Lloyd’s of London market works

16:58 Local vs London underwriting explained

18:56 Why James has stayed 18 years at Hiscox

20:39 What makes a great manager

22:17 The hardest and most rewarding part of managing people

22:53 Moving from London to Manchester — a career-defining opportunity

24:20 What to consider before saying yes to a big move

26:09 Rebuilding the Manchester team and brand

27:31 The power of consistency and being as good as your word

28:28 Specialising in media and technology insurance

29:49 Insuring content creators, designers, and media giants

31:07 Why join Hiscox and the insurance industry today

32:46 James’s duvet flip – what gets him out of bed in the morning

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Cath Frost is the Chief Operating Officer at Hiscox UK, where she leads over 400 people across operations, data, change and customer service. With a career spanning finance and insurance, Cath is passionate about building high-performing teams and creating brilliant customer experiences.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:41 Cath’s first ever podcast experience

2:04 Why Cath joined the insurance industry

4:16 The hidden opportunities in insurance

6:42 What Cath would do differently starting out

8:19 Worrying, planning, and career growth

10:02 Should you always have a five-year plan?

11:33 Why building teams matters more than titles

12:09 What does a COO really do?

15:31 Six jobs in one: inside Cath’s COO role

16:14 Jack’s customer experience with Hiscox

17:50 The three pillars of customer service at Hiscox

18:57 How to start if you want to be a future COO

20:29 Finding happiness at work (and when Cath didn’t)

23:32 Creating brilliant teams and finding purpose

25:18 Why fun at work is non-negotiable

26:40 The employee–employer balance of responsibility

29:12 Educating first-time employees about expectations

32:07 Why curiosity is Cath’s biggest career advice

34:37 One year at Hiscox: what opportunity means

35:52 Cath’s duvet flip – what gets her out of bed

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/