The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with executive coach, facilitator and former engineering leader Sally Twisleton about the shift from technical expertise to intentional leadership. Drawing on her 18-year career at Rolls-Royce and her work through Assemble Coaching, Sally reflects on leading experienced technical teams, learning that leaders do not need to have all the answers, and the importance of listening, coaching and creating environments where people feel valued and able to speak up. The conversation also explores women’s progression in engineering, the role of mentoring and sponsorship, the relationship between engineering and manufacturing, and why different leadership styles can still achieve great results.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Tim Hudson, one of the world’s leading thinkers on risk management, safety culture and organisational learning. Tim challenges the idea that safety culture is simply a ladder to climb, arguing instead that organisations need the right cultural fit for the risks they face. From the dangers of firefighting and blame to the value of frontline insight, failure-positive leadership and decision-making that follows expertise, this conversation explores what it really takes to build safer, more resilient organisations.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Traci Quinn, CEO of Pink Hats Construction and Development Group, about a remarkable journey from nursing and entrepreneurship to incarceration, rebuilding and community transformation. Traci shares how her experiences with the justice system reshaped her sense of purpose and inspired her to create opportunities for people leaving prison, young people exiting foster care and those seeking a route into the construction trades. She also discusses sustainable building, hempcrete, the realities of being a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, and why leadership is ultimately about love, forgiveness, resilience and creating environments where others can thrive.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Simon Barber, one of the UK’s most experienced leaders in the energy and nuclear sectors. Drawing on more than three decades across nuclear safety, major infrastructure, consultancy and executive leadership, Simon explores why safety must start with the individual, how leaders shape culture through their everyday behaviours, and what engineering can learn from sectors such as Formula One. They also discuss psychological safety, the future of nuclear energy, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and why better decisions today can have a lasting impact on people, projects and critical infrastructure.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Jane Hatton, founder of Evenbreak, about disability inclusion, fairer recruitment, and why workplaces need to be designed around real human beings rather than unrealistic expectations. Jane shares the story behind Evenbreak, the value of lived experience, and the barriers that still prevent disabled people from accessing and progressing in work. Together, Mark and Jane explore neurodiversity, workplace adjustments, inclusive leadership, and what organisations can do to move beyond good intentions and create environments where everyone has the chance to thrive.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Rachael Haynes, workplace wellbeing strategist and founder of Big Picture Lab, about what it really takes to create healthier, more human organisations. Rachael shares why wellbeing cannot sit as a standalone initiative, and why leaders need to move upstream to understand the conditions, systems and behaviours shaping people’s experiences at work. From psychosocial risk and stress assessments to trust, leadership consistency and belonging, this conversation explores how organisational health is directly connected to performance, culture and psychological safety.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Michael Toguchi, Chief Strategy Officer at Tectonic, about why digital transformation is ultimately about people, trust and leadership, not just technology. Mike shares insights from 25 years working with mission-driven organisations, exploring how better systems, governance and AI readiness can reduce complexity, support teams and help organisations focus on meaningful impact. From breaking down silos to designing around people and trust, this conversation looks at what leaders need to protect as they pursue efficiency, automation and change.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Robert Mahoney, founder and CEO of TVTP Solutions, about what it really takes to build safer organisations and communities. Drawing on his experience across emergency management, federal agencies and prevention work, Robert explores why safety cannot rely on reaction alone and why relationships, coordination and trust are essential when designing effective systems.

Together, Mark and Robert discuss the shift from protection and response towards prevention-led thinking, asking how leaders can move upstream before problems escalate. From breaking down silos to understanding human behaviour, this conversation challenges us to rethink what safety means and how leaders can create systems that are more connected, proactive and rooted in care.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Dr Meghan Waldron, educator, advisor and founder, about the power of education to change lives. From teaching in high-needs schools near Washington, DC, to supporting students in healthcare pathways and building a tutoring business focused on writing, Meghan reflects on what it means to help learners find confidence, resilience and their own voice.

Together, Mark and Meghan explore how education is changing in an age of AI, digital communication and post-pandemic disconnection. They discuss why learning must remain relational and relevant, the importance of intentional connection, and Meghan’s work launching Women in Change USA. Meghan also shares how living with MS has shaped her empathy, leadership and approach to supporting students as whole people.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Dr Zafra Lerman, chemist, educator, human rights advocate and founder of the Malta Conferences. Together we explore Zafra’s extraordinary journey from a childhood shaped by relentless curiosity to a global career using science as a force for peace. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, her groundbreaking work in science education, and why she believes access to science is a fundamental human right.

The conversation also dives into the power of science diplomacy in some of the world’s most divided regions. Zafra shares how the Malta Conferences have brought scientists together across political and cultural borders to collaborate on shared challenges, even in times of conflict.