Stubby Talks Transformation

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield speaks with Mike Carlin, founder and CEO of Map Group UK and founder and leader of Latos Data Centres. We discuss how fibre infrastructure and AI computing are connected, why sovereignty and accessibility matter, and what it takes to build new technology businesses at scale. 

Mike also shares the hard-won leadership lessons from more than 30 years in business, including hiring, communication, resilience, and staying focused as industries shift. He explains how Map Group evolved from an electrical contractor in 1993 into a business focused on building fibre optic networks and connectivity across the UK.

Mike shares the Latos Data Centres vision - 20 AI factories in the UK over the next five years, with each site designed around smaller 15 to 20 megawatt builds rather than massive 500 megawatt data centres. He discusses sovereignty as a core principle, arguing that UK-owned infrastructure matters when most data centres are controlled by overseas companies.

Mike discusses how the sites are chosen, including population density, power availability, land size, and the shift toward neural edge centres. He also addresses environmental and power concerns, describing closed-loop cooling, exploration of green power options, and discussions about co-locating AI with power generation.

Key takeaways

• AI infrastructure is also a question of sovereignty.
• AI doesn’t have to mean one enormous data centre.
• Proximity matters when delays have consequences.
• Build credibility before asking others to back the vision.
• Design for change, not for perfect predictions.
• Keep the mission and people’s responsibilities clear.
• Leadership means knowing when to step back.

• • Honesty and resilience are practical business strengths.

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield is joined by Wani Mkandawire, the Founder of Kalibu. Wani shares his journey from elite sport to HR consultancy and coffee business, highlighting lessons on leadership, culture, and purpose. 

We discuss how his diverse experiences shaped his approach to building impactful organisations and long-term partnerships.

We explore Wani's transition from elite sport to HR consultancy and coffee business with Malawian Coffee Co, the lessons on leadership and organisational culture and the importance of understanding and engaging people

Key Takeaways

• Understanding your people is crucial for organisational success
• Leadership involves self-awareness and curiosity about others
• Building a business around purpose and impact creates long-term value
• Clarity and alignment are key to team performance

• Dream big and set long-term goals with a clear vision

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield is joined by James Harrison, Transformation Advisor at BT Group. James shares his extensive experience in turning strategy into execution, and with a military background, he shares insights on how clarity, leadership, and understanding people are key to successful organisational transformation.

He discusses the importance of slowing down, connecting strategy to execution, and the role of personal perspective in leading change. Discover practical advice on managing complexity, fostering cohesion, and leading with purpose.]

Some key takeaways from the conversation are that clarity is a leader's responsibility and not just a communication technique, why effective transformation focuses on outcomes and not activity, and how slowing down upfront during planning prevents costly rework. 

Key Topics

• The importance of clarity in leadership and transformation
• How military experience influences leadership style
• Connecting organisational strategy with execution
• The pitfalls of rushing transformation efforts
• The value of slowing down to move faster
• Understanding people’s motivations and drivers
• The impact of global industry experience on transformation
• The significance of personal perspective and balance
• The challenge of ambiguity in leadership

• • The importance of purpose and shared vision

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield is joined by Bianca Molloy, the Managing Director of TES 200. Bianca shares her inspiring journey from HR specialist to managing director within a dynamic industry. Discover how empowerment, curiosity, and adaptive strategies drive success in organisational transformation and leadership.

Bianca discusses her multifaceted role as managing director and how she balances strategic, operational, and people-focused responsibilities. She also shares insights into fostering a culture of empowerment, encouraging teams to experiment, learn from mistakes, and take ownership.

Key Topics

• The impact of COVID-19 on business processes, digital transformation, and workforce resilience.
• How TES 2000 navigated industry challenges through collaboration, cost review, and tendering success.
• Personal reflections on work-life balance, flexibility, and the importance of mental health and community support
• Bianca Molloy's career progression from HR to Managing Director
• The role of empowerment and trust in leadership
• Digital transformation and data-driven decision making

Bianca emphasises that leadership is about continuous learning, supporting others, and staying true to your values. Her story highlights the importance of resilience, curiosity, and community in driving organisational and personal growth.

In this episode of Stubby Talks Transformation, Dave Stubberfield sits down with organisational psychologist Mike Gillespie to explore what real change looks like inside organisations — and inside ourselves. The conversation centres on the idea that transformation begins with perspective: when people can step back, see the bigger picture, and understand the human side of change, they’re far more likely to move from resistance to commitment.

Mike explains how organisational psychology applies core psychological principles to the workplace, helping people work better together while also improving business outcomes. He introduces the concept behind his book Distancing, co-authored with Captain David Marquet, which focuses on psychological distancing as a practical tool for better decision-making. 

The discussion covers self-distancing, third-person reflection, construal level theory, and why getting out of your own head can lead to clearer thinking, better relationships, and stronger leadership.

The episode also digs into change management, with Mike emphasising that top-down change rarely works long term unless leaders first understand employees’ fears, motivations, and perspectives. He shares personal reflections on divorce, self-awareness, parenting, and the hard-earned lessons that came from realising how easily people can fool themselves into thinking they’re doing better than they really are. Throughout the conversation, one message stands out: if you want lasting transformation, slow down, listen deeply, and understand the people involved before trying to move them forward.

Key Topics:

• What organisational psychology is and why it matters
• Why work is a powerful place to create meaningful change
• The difference between helping people one-on-one and helping at scale
• The value of starting from curiosity, not certainty, in your career
• The book Distancing and the idea of psychological distancing
• Using third-person language to gain clarity and perspective
• Self-awareness, ego, and how we rationalise our own behaviour
• How perspective shapes transformation at both personal and organisational levels
• Why employees resist change when they don’t feel understood
• The importance of purpose, mission, and values in change leadership
• The importance of slowing down and understanding your people before leading change

Key Takeaways:

• People don’t usually resist change itself — they resist change they don’t understand.
• Perspective is often the first real step in transformation.
• Self-awareness is not just a personal skill; it is a leadership tool.
• Compliance may get short-term results, but commitment creates lasting change.

• • The best leaders listen before they act.

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield sits down with Samy Jeffries, the Chief Revenue Officer of Giraffe360.

Samy shares insights on Giraffe360 disrupting the real estate media industry, scaling globally, and building a unified company culture. 

Discover how innovative technology and strong leadership are transforming property presentation and business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Always be ready to go back to basics when entering a new market.
• Customer success should be proactive, not reactive, to drive growth.
• Building a strong leadership layer is crucial for scaling.
• Unified messaging and understanding across departments unlocks growth.

In this episode I’m joined by Alan Brooke, CEO of Gill Group. Alan shares his journey of transforming a 40-year family-owned business. 

He discusses leadership, change management, data-driven decision making, and maintaining a family-first culture amidst growth and uncertainty.

Most importantly, he shares why he takes the best bits from different transformation methodologies, and applies them to the right parts of the business. 

Key Topics

• Business transformation and scaling
• Leadership as a custodian vs founder
• Data-driven decision making and KPIs
• Creating a culture of continuous improvement

• • Managing change and pivoting in uncertain times

In this insightful interview, Asma Nafees shares her diverse career journey, leadership philosophy, and the importance of kindness, resilience, and community support in transforming organisations and lives.

Asma is proof that you can be a parent and can also be a leader on multiple fronts as she opens up about her role in the NHS and the great work she does with women in business and her podcast.

Key Takeaways

• Redundancy taught me to be agile and resilient.
• Building a strong network is crucial for career stability.
• Leadership is about kindness, authenticity, and supporting others.
• Work-life balance and family influence leadership style.
• Supporting women and diverse leaders creates better organisations.
• Career pivot and resilience
• Leadership in the NHS and organisational change
• The role of kindness and community support in leadership

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield is joined by Paul David Munnelly, CEO of Munnelly Group.

Paul David shares his journey from media production to leading a diverse construction support services group.

He discusses leadership, brand strategy, organisational culture, managing change, and future growth plans amidst market uncertainties.

Key Topics

• Leadership transition from founder to CEO
• Managing multiple brands and maintaining identity
• Organisational culture and core values
• Office transformation and change management
• Strategic planning for 2030 and market diversification
• Resilience through market turbulence and personal challenges

In this episode, Dave Stubberfield is joined by Richard Reid, Business Development Director at SCCI AlphaTrack.

Richard shares his journey through the evolving tech landscape, leadership lessons from military principles, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in management.

Discover how embracing change, empowering teams, and maintaining humility can transform your approach to leadership and business growth.

Key Topics:

• Military principles applied to business leadership
• The importance of humility and listening in management
• Adapting to rapid technological change
• Empowering teams through trust and autonomy
• The role of ego in leadership and decision-making