#98 Amin Sorour - Driven by the idea of making change.

Amin talks to us about how he is driven by the idea of making change.

We talk about:

• You don’t always have to get things done -  just feel like there is progress.
• Choosing training from a strengths focus.
• And how he sees the Pyramids every day but never goes there. 

Amin stands at the forefront of the fast-changing Organisation Development; Human Resources sector, known for his tireless work ethic and hands-on approach to organisation and people development. 

With more than 15 years experience in HR, Amin currently works as Regional HR Manager, responsible for the Middle East and North Africa, for a European pharmaceutical company.

He has a profound interest and passion to contribute immensely to the strength-based

movement and the notion of self-managed teams, devoting himself to promote autonomy, intrapreneurship, and collective intelligence as key drivers of organisational growth and human performance.

Amin is a committed and proud husband and father of twin boys.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Amin on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amin-sorour-1804b212/

Amin on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AMEN.M.SOROUR

Amin on Twitter - https://twitter.com/SorourAmin

Amin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amensorour/

Amin on Vimeo -  https://vimeo.com/user93630096

#97 - Ellen Hedley - Back yourself and be confident in what you’re doing!

Ellen talks to us about how you should back yourself and be confident in what you’re doing.

We talk about:

• Having the confidence to say no to things.
• How managing humans is one of the most difficult things to do.
• And is there anything annoying about Henry?

Ellen runs digital agency Vida Creative alongside her partner Henry. Currently a team of six, they deliver creative solutions to client problems.

After starting a career in higher education marketing, Ellen left her comfortable job and ventured into self employment. All in the name of creative freedom!

At this point Ellen and Henry moved into a campervan, working and travelling around Europe for the next 18 months.

Fast forward to today and Vida Creative specialises in branding, website design and marketing for innovative businesses. And they’re not finished yet… with plans to grow the business over the next 12 months.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Ellen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-hedley/ 

Vida Creative Website - https://vidacreative.co.uk/

Vida Creative on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vida-creative-uk 

Vida Creative on Twitter - https://twitter.com/vidacreativeuk/ 

Vida Creative on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vidacreativeuk 

Vida Creative on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vidacreativeuk/ 

#96 - Drew Rowlands - Apply yourself to life in the best way that you can.

Drew talks to us about how you should apply yourself to life in the best way that you can.

We talk about: 

• How all of the world’s ails can be solved by human creativity.
• Why entrepreneurship will become more common in the years ahead.
• And how he was a very ugly baby but with lovely hands!

Drew Rowlands, is Deputy Chief Executive of Leeds Based We Are IVE, leading their commercial strand of work and being responsible for design and delivery of Creative Leadership training programmes. He is a qualified teacher with over 26 years of classroom experience combined with over 30 years’ experience of leading professional training within a wide range of different contexts. He has held senior leadership roles for the past 28 years, all of which have been underpinned by his expert knowledge of creativity and creative practice. Drew now works with leaders from a range of sectors, unlocking imagination so that problems can be seen as challenges and embracing creativity as a means of driving productivity.

Drew sits on Leeds Chamber of Commerce Leadership Group; is Chair of Education on the board of  Shakespeare North; Vice Chair of a through school in Leeds and a member of the British Actors Equity Association. Drew is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce.

As well as writing a number of blogs and white papers for IVE, in his spare time, Drew is a keen writer having written a number of plays and musicals over the years, and had his first novel ‘Tales of an Ordinary Man’ published in 2014.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Drew on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-rowlands-69340360/ 

Drew’s book (on Amazon) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Ordinary-Childhood-Years-part/dp/1494933950 

We are IVE - https://weareive.org/ 

#95 - CiCi Reagan Twining - Life is really weird

CiCi talks to us about how life is really weird.

We talk about: 

• Loving anything artistic, strange and weird as a child. 
• Embracing your differences to stand out. 
• And how much Harley the puppy helps with newsletter viewings!

CiCi Reagan Twining is a poet, certified Estate Planner, and American transplant. 

After losing her mother at a young age to MND, she knows the true importance of Estate Planning. Her goal is that no other families need to experience the additional financial strain hers did during her mom’s illness. 

Through her poetry she hopes to help inspire others who have struggled with addiction and abuse and to help them understand that they aren’t alone and recovery is possible. 

She lives in Newcastle with her husband, Si, and Miniature English Bulldog, Harley. 

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

CiCi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cicireagan/ 

Brilliant Estate Planning Website - brilliantestateplanning.com

Brilliant Estate Planning Instagram - instagram.com/brilliantestateplanning

Brilliant Estate Planning Facebook -  facebook.com/brilliantestateplanning 

CiCi’s Poetry Website - reaganeyes.com

CiCi’s Poetry on Facebook - facebook.com/reaganeyes

CiCi’s Poetry on Instagram - instagram.com/cicireagan 

#94 - Clare Talbot-Jones - Take risks, try new things and seize opportunities

Clare talks to us about how you should always be taking risks, trying new things and seizing opportunities.  

We talk about: 

• How she forgot to take risks, be bold, or be fearless for over a decade.
• Her journey from being a teacher to being voted the rising star in insurance. 
• And how she loves selling her husband at networking events!

Clare loves all things Risk and Resilience. As co-founder and director of Gateshead-based chartered insurance brokerage Talbot Jones, her growing company supports charities, social enterprises and businesses to better understand and manage their risks, building confidence and resilience. She also brings her experience and passion to manage Talbot Jones Consultancy, offering Governance, Risk and Compliance advice.

Following an unusual career path into the industry, she was proud to be awarded the Insurance Business UK Rising Star title in 2019 and added to the Northern Power Women Futures list in 2020, having been recognised as a change-maker and disruptor, making positive changes in the region.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Clare on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctalbotjones/

Talbot Jones Risk Solutions on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/talbot-jones-risk-solutions-ltd/ 

Talbot Jones Consultancy on LinkedIn - 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talbot-jones-consultancy-ltd/ 

Talbot Jones Risk Solutions on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TalbotJonesLtd

Talbot Jones Consultancy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/talbotjonesconsultancy

Talbot Jones on Twitter - https://twitter.com/TalbotJonesLtd

#93 - Ele Barker - What have you done today to better yourself?

Ele asks us all - what have you done today to better yourself?

We talk about: 

• Helping women to get their motivation and enthusiasm back again after giving birth.
• Being on the non-plan plan and experiencing life in all its different ways.
• And being asked to make sexy toast in the style of Nigella Lawson.

Fitness Guru, Ele Barker talks to us today about her enthusiasm for life!

Owner of Real Mum Fitness and Nutrition, Ele helps her clients to achieve a happier and healthier lifestyle. Her enthusiasm and passion for life is certainly notable in everything she does!

After having children, Ele felt that she had lost her confidence. Little did she know that the gym would be the place where she found her spark and kick-started her new career. 

Real Mum Fitness was founded and the company grew from strength to strength as did her own confidence. 

She recently took to the small screen with an appearance in the popular TV show Come Dine With Me! Highlighting her love of food and fun approach to family cooking.

And she feels now that this is only the beginning!!

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Real Mum Fitness on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realmum_fitness/?hl=en

Ele on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elebarker/?hl=en

Real Mum Fitness on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/realmumfitness/

Ele on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ele.barker

#92 - Lucy Kendall - Trust in serendipity! 

Lucy talks to us about how you should trust in serendipity.

We talk about: 

• If you have a job that you love there is no reason to not do it. 
• COCO’s Never More Needed campaign to support ongoing projects. 
• And hear all about her secret talent!

Lucy is CEO of COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) an International Charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Lucy has worked at COCO for 17 years, working her way up from volunteer to a position of leadership, shaping the development and direction of COCO’s fundraising, governance and project management. Her major interests are led by a passion for international relations, equality, education, development, poverty alleviation and commitment to accountability.

 An advocate for skill sharing and authenticity, Lucy regularly takes part in activities for COCO including trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, running the Great North Run and Cycling across Maasai Land in Kenya.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Lucy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lphilipson/ 

Lucy on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lucy_kendall17 

Lucy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lucy_phil80/ 

Lucy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lucyphilipson 

COCO’s website - https://www.coco.org.uk/

COCO on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/coco-charity/

COCO on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/coco.charity

COCO on Twitter - https://twitter.com/COCO_Charity

COCO on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8dnZ7Y9WZ98ycflDP9uHhQ

#91 - Alan Green - Life through a lens

Alan talks to us about finding his passion, running with it and seeing life through a lens.

We talk about: 

• The influence parents can have on career decisions.
• The importance of a mentor in getting started with his photography business.
• And how some photos of drag racing and polar bears led to him doing weddings!

Alan is a keen professional photographer, living near Newcastle upon Tyne. He started taking photographs at a young age and continues to love photography as his main hobby.

Alan’s aim is quite simply to produce the very best quality images, whatever the subject.

 He feels very privileged to have been brought up in a loving family and to have a wonderful wife and 2 grown sons.

Although nicknamed “Grumpy” by his immediate family, he maintains a wacky sense of humour and loves to have a good laugh!! (One of his “other” hobbies!).

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Alan on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/alangreenphotography

Alan’s website - www.alanagreenphotography.co.uk

Alan on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlanGreenPhotography

Alan on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alangreenphotography/

#90 - Mark Hill MBE - Keep going, you’ll get there eventually

Mark talks to us about how you should keep going as you’ll get there eventually.

We talk about: 

• The Army giving him the passion to learn languages. 
• Moving house 19 times in 24 years. 
• And his accidental STEM activity in Iraq that led to saving lives.

Mark joined the British Army at the age of 17, with 30 years’ Regular and Reserve service as a modern day Sergeant Major. He is passionate about developing his soldiers to be their best.  

He’s had some fantastic opportunities, travelling the world, and learning to speak Arabic. He was awarded two operational commendations for distinguished service, and for exceptionally valuable service in support of operations. Being presented with an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen has been the highlight of his career.

He is now the Army’s Community Youth Engagement Officer within the North East and Yorkshire, inspiring others.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Mark on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhillmbe

Mark on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MarkHillMBE

Mark on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markhill_mbe

#89 - Joanne Lockwood - Lucky things happen to lucky people who do lucky things

Joanne talks to us about how lucky things happen to lucky people who do lucky things.

We talk about: 

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and using her own experiences to help others.
• In two years going from not being able to get out of bed to being an international speaker.
• And how you should just keep winging it!

Joanne is a leading authority on Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging who engages with organisations to develop policy and best practice to be more inclusive for all people. By challenging biases, she helps them to develop a vision and strategy for conscious inclusion, with the aim of bringing about positive culture change and employee experience. 

Additionally, she promotes transgender awareness and support to businesses and organisations throughout the UK, Europe and elsewhere developing allies’ programmes as assisting in policy and LGBTQ+ inclusion strategies. 

As a sought-after Keynote Conference speaker, podcaster, blogger and panellist, Joanne delivers workshops, seminars, and training programmes through the UK, Europe and elsewhere on the topics of Culture Change, Employee Engagement and Experience. Often working with Talent Acquisition and HR teams she advises on building an inclusive employee lifecycle from hire to retire. 

She is an Advisory Friend of The Institute of Equality & Diversity Professionals, a member of The Rotary Club and The Professional Speaking Association. Joanne sits as a subject matter expert for School of Health Sciences at Southampton University. As a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, she believes passionately that “people are people” and, no matter who they are, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. 

Joanne was a contributor and featured in a Channel 4 (UK) documentary called “The Making of Me”, broadcast in February 2019. This documentary was filmed over a 3-year period and detailed her own personal gender transition and its impact on those around her. 

Joanne lives by the mantra of “Smile, Engage and Educate” in order to promote awareness and understanding to overcome people’s fear of getting it wrong, because the world isn’t only black and white!

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

See Change Happen Website -  https://seechangehappen.co.uk  

See Change Happen on Twitter - https://twitter.com/seechangehappen  

See Change Happen on Instagram - https://instagram.com/seechangehappen

Joanne on Instagram - https://instagram.com/jo_lockwood1965

Joanne on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jo_lockwood1965  

Joanne on LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolockwood/