The BU Development Lounge

Career development isn't always about moving into a new role. Sometimes the most valuable opportunities come from getting involved in activities beyond your day-to-day responsibilities.

In our latest podcast episode, Amanda Fripp from the OD Team at Bournemouth University is joined by Dr Sarah McHillier (she/her) Senior Lecturer and Chair of the BU Pride Staff Network. Also joining them is Heather Naude, Associate Project Manager and Lean VA Advocate. Heather and Sarah discuss how their experiences outside of their day job has helped them grow their skills. They discuss how internal opportunities can help build your skills, grow your confidence and expand your professional network.

More information on Staff Networks at BU can be found on the People Hub Staff Networks and Community Groups .

Lean Belt/ Value Added training opportunities can be found here Efficiency offerings for Value@BU

In this episode, Amanda is joined by Mandy Matthews, Senior HE Leader and Executive Coach, to explore how a coaching approach can support individual development, improve workplace conversations, and help create a more empowering culture.

Together, they discuss what coaching looks like in practice, the benefits it can bring to both managers and employees, and how organisations can begin embedding coaching intoeveryday ways of working.

Mandy also shares practical tips for line managers on using coaching techniques in one-to-one meetings, appraisals and day-to-day conversations to help colleagues reflect, grow and take ownership of their development.

In this episode, Amanda and Miriam are joined by Dr Sukanya Ayatakshi-Endow, Principal Academic in Entrepreneurship at Bournemouth University. They explore how we can all build a more entrepreneurial culture within HE, by broadening our understanding of what entrepreneurship really means. Rather than focusing solely on start-ups and venture creation, Sukanya highlights the importance of small acts of initiative, trying new things, supporting others, and creating connections. Sukanya discusses the value of inclusive language, challenging gatekeeping, and making entrepreneurship accessible to a wider range of people. This episode is useful whether you are in academic or professional services and whether you are student facing or not.

In this episode we talk about Entrecomp- an entrepreneurship competence framework. You can find out more about the framework here https://entrecomp.com/

In this episode , Amanda Fripp, Organisational Development Adviser at BU, chats with Dave Bishton , Interim Director of Strategy at BU about the realities of managing change in the workplace. With extensive experience in strategy and change management, Dave shares practical insights on how to lead change effectively while supporting colleagues through periods of transition. Whether you are leading change or adapting to it, this episode offers practical advice and insights to help you feel more supported and confident.

Workplace conflict can be natural part of working in teams, but it’s how we respond to it that makes the difference. In this episode, Amanda Fripp and Miriam Lester from the Organisational Development Team at Bournemouth University explore what conflict can look like in practice, from obvious disagreements to more subtle signs like disengagement or avoidance.

They discuss why conflict is often left unaddressed, the common causes behind it, and how this can impact team dynamics. Most importantly, they share practical strategies for approaching difficult conversations with confidence, helping you move from tension to constructive dialogue.

In this episode, Amanda and Miriam from Bournemouth University are joined by Andy Brown, co‑founder of ENGAGE, and an expert in employee engagement, leadership and organisational culture. Drawing on over 30 years’ experience across consulting, research and academia, Andy shares practical perspectives on what employee engagement really means and why it matters.

They explore the role leaders play in shaping engagement, how employee surveys can add real value when done well, how anonymity and data are handled, and why it is important to have a voice.

In this episode, Amanda and Miriam chat with Dr Lucy Sheppard-Marks, Associate Head of School at BU. Lucy’s leadership experience spans both academia and the military, managing large, high performing teams. Lucy talks about what it truly means for leaders to put people first. Together, they explore the behaviours that shape people centred cultures, the skills future leaders will need, how trust and psychological safety are built and some common leadership myths along the way.

In this very first episode of the BU Development Lounge Podcast, Amanda Fripp, Organisational Development Adviser, and Miriam Lester, Leadership and Organisational Development Manager explores what it really takes to deliver a presentation that makes an impact. They discuss what makes a presentation impactful and inclusive, how to think about your audience, techniques to improve delivery and the power of storytelling. Whether you're teaching students, presenting to colleagues, or sharing ideas with wider audiences, this conversation offers practical insights to help you communicate with clarity and confidence.

Welcome to the trailer episode for the BU Development Lounge Podcast. Hear from Miriam Lester and Amanda Fripp from the Bournemouth University Organisational Development Team to find out what to expect from this new podcast.