Talent Management conversations for future HR Leaders by Let‘s Talk Talent

In this episode of Let's Talk Talent, host Jo Taylor sits down with Amanda Austin, Regional Administrative Manager - UAE at Let’s Talk Talent, her unconventional career journey has taken her from hotel management and events to government administration, running her own nail business, and working across multiple industries in Qatar and Dubai. Now working alongside Jo at Let's Talk Talent.

[00:00] – Jo welcomes Amanda Austin and explores her unconventional career journey across different industries and countries

[02:14] – How motherhood inspired Amanda to retrain as a nail technician and rebuild her business in Qatar and Dubai

[04:27] – Why reinventing yourself takes bravery, strategic thinking and sometimes a leap of faith

[06:19] – How Amanda's willingness to try new things inspired her daughters to pursue unconventional career paths

[08:33] – Why apprenticeships, practical experience and working multiple jobs can help young people chase their dreams

[11:49] – Finding joy and balance in work while navigating motherhood, career changes and unexpected setbacks

[13:51] – How traditional gender roles are evolving and why working mothers need an identity beyond family responsibilities

[16:23] – How Dubai's changing demographics and rising cost of living are reshaping opportunities for families and professionals

[18:39] – Why strong support networks, resilience and careful decisions matter when facing redundancy, conflict and uncertainty

[20:28] – Jo reflects on Amanda's courage, adaptability and the lessons her career offers working mothers everywhere

Connect with the Host, Jo Taylor:

In this episode of Let’s Talk Talent, host Craig Howells sits down with Imane Alaoui Staelen, HR Director for the Region.

The conversation explores a career built on bold choices, from leaving an academic path for the corporate world to relocating from Paris to Dubai. Craig and Imane discuss what she had to unlearn about HR, why the human side of HR must stay central in the age of AI, and the three things that build lasting credibility with senior leaders. Imane reflects on the manager who backed her early on and what positive leadership really looks like. They also examine how organisations in the region can attract and retain great people, what makes the GCC such a unique place to build a career, and the advice Imane would give to anyone starting out in HR.

Expect to Learn:

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

[00:00] – Craig welcomes Imane Alaoui Staelen, HR Director for the Middle East & Africa, to the podcast

[01:20] – Why Imane left a hybrid academic path to take an opportunity in the corporate world

[03:11] – Fifteen years at her first organisation, from data analytics to C-suite visibility and HR business partnering

[07:01] – What Imane had to unlearn about HR and why the human element must remain in the age of AI

[09:15] – Three ways to build credibility with senior leaders: expertise, business language and reading the room

[12:58] – The manager who backed her and why positive leadership creates a virtuous circle

[15:42] – Taking the risk to move from Paris to Dubai and building a career across industries

[19:01] – Advice for those moving to Dubai: culture, leadership and a growth mindset

[21:54] – How organisations can attract and retain talent by walking the talk and investing in people

[27:11] – What makes the GCC region a unique and fast-paced place to build a career

[31:28] – Advice for those starting out in HR: build business acumen and emotional intelligence

In this episode of Let’s Talk Talent Podcast, host Jo Taylor speaks with Nick Clark, Partner and Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), about building a successful career without a fixed roadmap.

Nick shares his journey from an uncertain start after university to becoming a global consultant, exploring how curiosity, resilience, mentorship, and unexpected opportunities shaped his career. He reflects on discovering his strengths, leading change, and the lessons that helped him grow as a leader.

“I’ve always described my career as being more on the opportunistic side than having a grand plan from the beginning.” - Nick Clark

“I used to think not knowing where I wanted to go was a real weakness. Now I can look back and say it enabled all kinds of interesting opportunities.” - Nick Clark

“There is a job that can be done which is about improving things and doing it from the perspective of the customer.” - Nick Clark

“There’s no point in ever having a problem that’s just your own. You should always share that problem with other people.” - Nick Clark

“As you become more senior in your organisation, it’s much more about influence, leadership, guiding change, and driving people towards a goal.” - Nick Clark

“Where you are when you’re 23 does not determine where you’re going to be when you’re 26, let alone when you’re 40.” - Nick Clark

[00:00:00] - Teaser

Disclosure: “Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.”

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasclark81/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jotaylorc4/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-management-conversations-for-future-hr-leaders/id1436298840 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AlMiwKtz0c73jBEZtGmrz?si=80da0e6a786b4d26 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalktalent

In this episode of Let’s Talk Talent Podcast, host Craig Howells speaks with Chris Parkinson, Head of Organizational Development at Bupa UK & Non-Executive Director at Oxfordshire Cricket, about building inclusive, purposeful workplaces through trust, confidence, and enterprise leadership. Chris explains how leaders can create the conditions for people to take ownership, contribute beyond their immediate roles, and connect their work to customer outcomes.

Drawing on a career spanning banking, consulting, major sporting events, retail, and healthcare, Chris shares how international roles and workforce programmes shaped his approach to learning and talent. His experience supporting the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and London 2012 informs his perspective on purpose, clarity and giving people permission to contribute.

"Everyone wants a purpose." – Chris Parkinson

"I feel I've spent 25 years helping people have better conversations with each other." – Chris Parkinson

"I will trust you until shown otherwise." – Chris Parkinson

"Everyone can own a bit of the success. It's not a single person that ever achieves anything." – Chris Parkinson

"Be brilliant at what you do and being brilliant at what you do includes being a brilliant leader." – Chris Parkinson

"Talent can come from anywhere and can do very, very different jobs." – Chris Parkinson

00:00 – Teaser

01:19 – Craig Howells introduces Chris Parkinson and the career-focused conversation

02:14 – Chris traces his non-linear career from engineering to organisational development

06:16 – International experience, cultural differences and the common need for purpose

09:40 – Transferable learning skills and workforce training at the Melbourne and London Games

13:48 – Building confidence through support, trust, and learning from mistakes

18:15 – Why the strongest leader relationships feel like partnerships

22:53 – Enterprise leadership and looking beyond an individual team’s remit

29:50 – Connecting wellbeing, inclusion, and talent at Bupa to customer needs

33:13 – Career advice: finding work you love and building a career around your strengths

Disclosure: “Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.”

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-parkinson-114ab9/ 

Bupa UK - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bupauk/ 

Bupa UK - Website: https://www.bupa.co.uk/ 

Oxfordshire Cricket - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxfordshirecricket/home/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighowells/ 

LinkedIn - Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lets-talk-talent/ 

Website - Company: https://letstalktalent.co.uk/ 

Instagram - Company: https://www.instagram.com/lets_talktalent/ 

Facebook - Company: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lets-Talk-Talent/100089259043548/ 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-management-conversations-for-future-hr-leaders/id1436298840 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AlMiwKtz0c73jBEZtGmrz?si=80da0e6a786b4d26 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalktalent

Jo Taylor, MD of Let's Talk Talent talks all things EVP with Philomena Gray Global Chief People Officer of Imagination. Join them to find out how to build an EVP that attracts and retains top talent.

Join Claire Koryczan Senior Partner at Let's Talk Talent as she talks to Hester Pooles, Head of Legal at The AA about her leadership journey and how you can unlock the potential in yourself through a range of different interests and pursuits.

This month Jo Taylor from Let’s Talk Talent spoke with David Liversage people and development consultant and an associate of Let's Talk Talent about the meaning of Leading With the Heart in the work environment. 

This month Craig Howells from Let’s Talk Talent interviews Stefano Battaglia, HR Consultant and Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour about the importance of inclusive leadership in the modern world. 

Paul McGregor founder of Everymind at Work joins us for this month's Let's Talk Talent podcast and shares his story and mission to help leaders embrace vulnerability at work. 

Jo Taylor (MD of Let's Talk Talent) talks to Shelley Hayward, Head of Learning and Talent at Cumberland Building Society about Coaching and Leadership.