The GSC Executives Podcast

"I'm not sure AI will give all of its promised benefits." That's Fiona Brunskill - Chief People Officer of Transport for London (TfL), responsible for a team of 700, infamously supporting an organisation of 70,000 - pushing back on the latest wave of HR technology promises, calmly and without apology.

It's a useful window into how she thinks. Direct, experience-led, and noticeably cautious to jump on bandwagons. Whether she's talking about rebuilding TfL through a pandemic (when their revenue essentially fell off a cliff), navigating government-imposed funding conditions, or explaining why inclusion work can never actually be finished - Fiona doesn't reach for the comfortable answer.

In this episode, she covers:

• • Leading through compounding crises - TfL's revenue model collapsed during COVID. Then came government-imposed funding conditions attached to a financial bailout. Then a 2024 cyber attack that required every employee to reset passwords in person. Fiona is honest about what real-time decision-making looks like when there's no playbook, and why giving people certainty matters most precisely when you don't have any yourself.
  • Why DEI is not a destination - She addresses the international narrative around rollbacks, names the danger of over-indexing on one protected characteristic (to the exclusion of everyone else), and explains why TfL deliberately avoids any form of DEI "washing."
  • The AI question - Refreshingly sceptical about vendor promises, but pragmatic about where genuine change is coming: data-driven people decisions, wellbeing as a shared responsibility, and the challenge of building an employment offer that works across five generations.
  • Building a career you didn't plan - From Barclays to nearly 11 years at ASDA specialising in industrial relations, Coca-Cola European Partners to TfL CPO – discussing her incredible career and the advice she'd give anyone trying to elevate themselves in a difficult job market.

Fiona has led a TfL operating model that has delivered £100m in recurring savings and overseen an 8% increase in employee engagement across three years. She is also a Non-Executive Director and keynote speaker, with deep roots in some of the UK's most complex employee and industrial relations environments.

What really stood out with our conversation was how Fiona is unusually candid about the decisions that didn't land, the feedback that stung, and the moments she'd approach differently today. Very refreshing, and that approach has shown clear dividends across her career.

Subscribe on your preferred platform for more conversations with the senior executives shaping the industries that shape our working world.

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"I came to and I was in intensive care and it was awful. I remember every single second, feel and smell, emotion."

Six years ago, Katherine Hernandez had emergency open heart surgery. Nobody warned her about the PTSD that followed. For 18 months, she worked through clinical depression and anxiety whilst running a regional portfolio of 14,000+ homes—and told no one at work. Then she started talking about it. Things got lighter.

In this episode, Katherine pulls no punches about what actually happens when you lead with ADHD, recover from major trauma, and try to convince politicians that housing isn't charity—it's infrastructure with a proven £2-for-£1 economic multiplier.

You'll hear about:

• Why Katherine's never had a five-year plan (and how ADHD turned out to be her competitive edge, not her limitation)
• The hospital discharge pilot that cut NHS stays by 99 days and saved £1.4 million—then lost its funding anyway
• What her team did when colleagues couldn't get to work during the 2024 riots because they were people of colour
• The real barriers to DEI conversations (spoiler: it's fear, and Katherine's got a strategy for it)
• Why "customers are at the heart of everything we do" is usually bollocks, and what it actually takes to mean it

Katherine grew up in social housing. Later, when she needed it again, it was there. That lived experience shapes how she leads—from her management team to her board seat at Railway Housing Association, where they're gunning for #1 in UK tenant satisfaction.

If you've ever wondered whether you can be a regional director with ADHD, whether vulnerability belongs in the executive suite, or why housing keeps getting politically sidelined despite the numbers, this conversation will give you answers. Uncomfortable ones, sometimes. But Katherine's not here to make you comfortable.

Perfect for executives in housing, construction, property development, and anyone building leadership cultures that actually work for humans—messy, complicated, brilliant humans.

Read more about Katherine on our website:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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"I failed my chartership first time around... that was a catastrophe. How dare they?" Deborah Nutt doesn't sugar-coat the setbacks that shaped her two-decade rise to Senior Director at Arcadis.

In our latest conversation, Nutt reveals how a random comment from someone she was babysitting led to her entire engineering career. But it's her refreshingly honest take on leadership that'll make you rethink your approach. She argues that great leaders aren't measured by their self-perception, but by their "followship" - whether people actually choose to follow them.

Key insights from our discussion:

• Why authentic leadership means admitting when you've got it spectacularly wrong (and how vulnerability actually builds authority)
• The crucial difference between diversity and inclusion that most organisations completely miss
• How Arcadis is tackling their ambitious 40% women representation target without falling into tokenism traps
• Why she believes "people generally don't get out of bed in the morning to upset somebody" - and how this philosophy drives real cultural change

As Global Gender Affinity Group Chair, Nutt has a front-row seat to the challenges facing traditional industries. Her goal? Making diversity initiatives so embedded in company culture that we won't need them anymore. She's also brutally honest about the six-month role she "managed to do because it would look awful on my CV" - the kind of career reality most executives won't admit.

Whether you're navigating your own setbacks, trying to create genuine inclusion in your organisation, or wondering how to build authentic leadership in rigid industries, Nutt's insights cut through the corporate fluff with practical wisdom earned over 20 years in the trenches.

Listen in for a masterclass in turning professional failures into career fuel, and why the construction industry's future depends on leaders who can admit they don't have all the answers.

Read more about Deborah on our website here:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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In the latest episode of the GSC Executives Podcast, Caitlin Tye sits with Ingrid Osborne, Divisional Chair of Taylor Wimpey London and South East. With over two decades of experience in the property development sector, Ingrid shares her remarkable journey from a graduate with no property background to one of the industry's most influential leaders.

Ingrid's candid conversation reveals valuable insights for executives and aspiring leaders alike:

• Career Progression and Innovation: Discover how Ingrid rose through the ranks from a land buyer to divisional chair, including how she conceptualised, pitched, and successfully built Taylor Wimpey Central London from the ground up.
• Leadership Philosophy: Learn about Ingrid's approach to effective leadership, including the importance of trust, honesty, clear communication, and supporting teams while maintaining high standards.
• Diversity in Construction: Explore the challenges and opportunities of increasing diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry, with practical perspectives on both attraction and retention strategies.
• Company Culture as a Competitive Advantage: Understand how Taylor Wimpey's supportive yet high-performing culture serves as a key differentiator in the market and drives business success.

Whether you're a seasoned executive looking to enhance your leadership approach or an aspiring professional in the construction and property sectors, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating career progression, driving innovation, and fostering inclusive workplaces.

Subscribe now to the GSC Executives Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders who are shaping the future of construction, property, and engineering.

Read more about Ingrid on our website here:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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In our latest episode, Caitlin Tye speaks with Chloe Anfield, Vice President of Global Service Delivery at AtkinsRéalis, about her journey to leadership and approach to managing global teams in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

With refreshing candour and practical wisdom, Chloe shares insights from her non-linear career path that began in retail before "falling into" technology. Her perspective on leadership, team building, and embracing change offers valuable lessons for executives at all stages of their careers.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• Creating value-driven leadership: How Chloe's philosophy of "treat others as you wish to be treated" shapes her management style and team development approach
• Navigating technological transformation: Practical insights on balancing legacy applications with emerging technologies like AI while managing team expectations and fears
• Building diverse, inclusive teams: Strategies for overcoming inherent biases and creating environments where different perspectives flourish
• Adapting to flexible working models: The challenges and opportunities in creating cohesive teams while accommodating diverse working preferences

Whether you're an established leader looking to refine your approach or an aspiring executive seeking guidance on career development, this conversation offers honest, practical perspectives on leadership in the modern workplace.

Listen now to discover how to build "cracking" teams that deliver exceptional results, and how embracing change can lead to unexpected and rewarding career opportunities.

Read more about Chloe on our website here:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Gauri Talathi-Lamb, CEO of FHP Group, as she shares her remarkable journey from arriving in the UK with just two phone numbers to leading a major engineering consultancy. This episode offers invaluable insights for leaders and aspiring professionals in the engineering and construction sectors, including:

• The power of bold decisions and stepping out of comfort zones in career progression.
• Building an inclusive leadership style that emphasises communication, empathy, and team development.
• Transforming engineering consultancy through sustainable practices and diverse perspectives.
• Balancing professional growth with personal development through mindfulness and meditation.

Whether you're an established leader or aspiring to senior positions, Gauri's unique approach to leadership and commitment to diversity will provide fresh perspectives on succeeding in today's evolving business landscape. Her combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and focus on human connection offers a masterclass in modern leadership.

Listen now to discover how embracing challenges, maintaining authenticity, and fostering inclusive environments can drive both personal and organisational success.

Read more about Gauri on our website here:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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In this episode of the GSC Executives podcast, host Caitlin Tye sits down with Emma Kent, Managing Director at VINCI Technology Centre, to explore leadership, diversity, and the evolving landscape of civil engineering. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Emma shares her insights on:

• Overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field and the importance of visibility in leadership.
• Strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including VINCI's innovative approaches.
• The critical role of diverse voices in decision-making, especially in addressing global challenges like climate change.

Emma also discusses her journey from civil engineering graduate to managing director, highlighting the importance of flexibility in career paths and the need for confident, purpose-driven leadership. This episode offers a blueprint for creating more inclusive, innovative, and effective teams in the construction industry and beyond.

This inspiring conversation challenges conventional thinking, and serves as a framework for more diverse and dynamic leadership within civil engineering.

Read more about Emma on our website here:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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In this episode our host, Caitlin Tye, is joined by Jitinder Takhar, a seasoned social housing executive. With over 30 years of experience, Jitinder shares her journey from working in women's refuges to becoming a transformative leader in housing development and management.

Key topics discussed:

• The importance of customer-focused design in housing development
• Embracing AI and technology to improve social housing services
• The critical link between quality housing, health outcomes, and economic benefits
• Strategies for fostering diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace

Jitinder's passion for creating positive change and her unique perspective on the challenges facing the housing sector makes this episode a must-listen for executives and aspiring professionals alike.

Ready to be inspired? Tune in and fuel your leadership journey with insights from industry stalwarts:

Read more about Jitinder on our website:

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Join our host, Caitlin Tye, as she sits with Melanie Leech, the Chief Executive of the British Property Federation. As a formidable leader with a diverse career, Melanie shares her journey from serving as a police officer in the Met to her impactful leadership at the BPF, including:

• Navigating male-dominated industries and overcoming imposter syndrome
• The evolution of leadership styles and the importance of authenticity
• Driving diversity and inclusion in the built environment
• Transforming the industry through initiatives like BPF Futures and the UK PropTech Association merger

Melanie also discusses the challenges of implementing lasting cultural change, the shift towards customer-centric property services, and the role of sustainability and technology in shaping the industry's future. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode offers valuable insights into authentic leadership and the evolving landscape of the property industry.

Read more about Melanie on our website here:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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In this episode, host Caitlin Tye sits down with Claire Dykta, Chief Strategy Officer at National Grid, to discuss her remarkable journey in the energy sector. From her early days as a business and law graduate to becoming a key player in the UK's energy transition, Claire shares invaluable insights on:

• Her role in the UK's historic transition from coal to clean energy.
• The importance of authentic leadership and fostering a culture of open communication.
• Strategies for navigating change and embracing diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
• The challenges and rewards of empowering others and giving back to the next generation of leaders.

Claire also discusses the future of the National Grid Electricity System Operator as it transforms into NESO - a government-owned entity responsible for decarbonising the UK's energy system. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, this episode offers insights into driving change, empowering others, and leading authentically.

Read more about Claire on our website:

https://gscexecutives.com/insights/

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