Workplace Confidence Podcast

Workplace Confidence Podcast - Gender pay gap action plans, what does meaningful action look like?  In this episode, I chat with Gillie Fairbrother, Global Responsible Business Officer at Davies, about what a gender pay gap action plan actually looks like in practice — and why employers really do need to get on with it.

Employers with 250 or more staff are being encouraged to explain what they are actually doing to close their gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause. We discuss what meaningful action looks like in practice — and how organisations can finally move beyond just publishing the numbers.

For Gillie, the timing really matters. She told me it is about asking harder questions and getting much more specific about what will actually change things.

As she put it in our chat, “People will no longer be able to get away with saying things like, ‘we will consider’ and ‘we aim to’. It’s now about: how are you going to do it, and how is that going to impact?”

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Belonging, burnout and building culture from scratch with Sisa Sibanda. In this episode, I talk to Sisa Sibanda, Head of People, Culture and Wellbeing at Climate Asset Management (CAM). We explore how HR leaders can create belonging, support wellbeing, and shape culture in fast-moving, purpose-driven businesses.

Sisa joined CAM when the organisation was just three years old, with 30 employees scattered across the world. At the time of recording, the team had grown to 50 and while that’s still small, it’s global, diverse and ambitious.

From day one, she saw the opportunity to shape the culture from the ground up. “I wanted to find a home where I could really make an impact,” she explains. “This is a people business, and culture has to be intentional from the start.”

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Leading HR with people, not policy with Maria Hawley.

Maria Hawley didn’t plan to stay at Fisher German for long. But more than a decade later, she’s still there - now Director of People - having helped lead the business through major growth and cultural change.

In this episode, Maria talks about what it takes to build a people function from scratch and support more than 850 employees across a growing UK-wide property consultancy. 

When she joined, there was no HR team in place. She set it up from the ground up, guiding the business as it expanded from 220 employees to over 850, and from a handful of rural offices to major cities including London and Manchester.

Now sitting on the leadership team and operations board, Maria helps shape the business’s five-year strategy and ensures people remain central to decision-making. 

Her role spans core HR operations, learning and development, talent acquisition and people experience. 

She’s also taken on additional responsibilities in risk and compliance, health and safety and facilities - evidence of her hands-on approach and strategic reach.

Maria’s people-first leadership extends beyond the boardroom. She’s known for her honest and engaging LinkedIn posts, which blend professional insight with personal reflection. Maria uses social media not just to promote her employer brand, but to show who she is beyond the job title.

Connection, she says, is central to how she leads. 

This episode is packed with insight for HR leaders ready to grow their influence, shape strategy and show up with authenticity. Maria’s story is a reminder that people's leadership is more than policies - it’s about purpose, visibility, and building something that lasts.

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - How HR can gain influence at board level with Carolyn Cole.

In this episode of the Workplace Confidence Podcast, Penny Haslam talks to Carolyn Cole about how HR leaders can secure a seat at the boardroom table and influence top-level decisions.

Carolyn, a seasoned Chief People Officer with private equity experience, explains why HR is often an afterthought in growing businesses and why it shouldn’t be. 

She shares practical tips on stepping up to board level, including why financial acumen matters, how speaking the CEO’s language builds confidence and why understanding budgets and EBITDA earns trust.

We also hear how HR plays a crucial role in mergers and acquisitions, where people strategy can make or break a deal. Her approach? Real conversations instead of endless surveys, ensuring employees feel supported during rapid change. 

Carolyn also stresses that mental health support must go beyond training, managers need the confidence to have open conversations.

In this episode, you'll hear a powerful case for HR as a business driver. How knowing the numbers, building CEO relationships and championing people’s impact on performance can elevate your role, and your organisation. Essential listening for HR professionals who want a bigger voice at the top.

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Inclusive recruitment, why two unconscious biases are better than one at BPP with Jen Hulme. 

In this episode, Penny Haslam talks with Jen Hulme, a passionate talent acquisition leader at BPP, a leading UK provider of professional education in law, business, finance and healthcare. 

Jen shares her fresh approach to recruitment, focusing on the art of recruiting rather than specialising in a single industry. She believes that by mastering recruitment skills, you can succeed across various sectors, making the process more dynamic and insightful.

Jen explains how BPP attracts top talent, especially from diverse backgrounds and emphasises the importance of aligning candidates with the company’s core values, such as being student-centric and embracing change. She also discusses the challenges of maintaining a personal touch in an increasingly automated recruitment world.

A key highlight is Jen’s approach to tackling unconscious bias in hiring. She champions the idea that "two unconscious biases are better than one," advocating for diverse interview panels to balance out individual biases and ensure fairer hiring decisions.

This episode is packed with practical advice and fresh insights on how Jen is not just filling roles but transforming BPP’s approach to talent acquisition, making it more inclusive and aligned with the organisation’s mission. 

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Empowering leaders at the College of Policing with Becs Riley.

In this episode, Becs Riley, Senior Leaders Hub Manager at the College of Policing, shares her unique journey from working as a forensic shoe print specialist to leading initiatives that support senior leaders.

Becs explores the challenges of empowering leaders in policing, particularly the difficulty of shifting mindsets from focusing solely on operational tasks to taking on broader leadership roles.

She discusses the critical role of self-awareness, emphasising the need to understand power dynamics and the importance of creating environments where leaders feel secure enough to grow, try new things and learn from both successes and setbacks.

Drawing from her own experiences, Becs talks about dealing with imposter feelings, particularly after returning to work as a mother. She discusses how reflective practice and a strong support network have been crucial in helping her navigate the balance between her professional and personal life.

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Global HR challenges: the People At Work survey 2024 with Annabel Jones. In this episode, we sit down with Annabel Jones, Senior HR Director for International Sales & Marketing at ADP a global payroll and HR services provider. 

Annabel brings a wealth of experience from her diverse people career journey, including roles in the music industry, visual effects for blockbuster films and leading HR for a travel start-up during the dot-com boom. Now at ADP, Annabel shares its insights on navigating the evolving landscape of HR on a global scale.

Key findings of ADP's People At Work Survey 2024 reveal the evolving challenges employees face, like pay concerns, skills gaps and the impact of AI. She discusses how strong leadership, clear communication, and supporting mental well-being are crucial in navigating these changes. She also opens up about generational shifts in the workplace, noting the differing expectations between younger and older employees.

This episode is packed with valuable perspectives on the future of work and why understanding these trends is essential for leaders today. Tune in for an engaging look at the evolving world of work with Annabel Jones.

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Tackling the gender pay gap and promoting well-being at the NFU with Catherine Cooper. 

In this episode, we chat with Catherine Cooper, Director of People at the National Farmers Union, who is on a mission to foster inclusivity and tackle the gender pay gap at NFU. Catherine brings her passion for people and culture to the forefront, sharing her strategies for supporting employees and members through challenging times like Brexit, COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine.

Catherine discusses the NFU’s approach to closing the gender pay gap, focusing on empowering women, promoting flexible working and ensuring fair and unbiased recruitment. 

She also opens up about her personal journey with confidence and imposter syndrome and how these experiences shape her leadership style today. From creating connection through “Tea Together” events to implementing agile working policies, Catherine is all about making sure everyone at NFU feels valued and supported.

This episode is packed with insights on building a positive work environment, the importance of mental health support and actionable tips for closing the gender pay gap. Catherine’s engaging and down-to-earth approach makes this a must-listen for anyone interested in workplace well-being and inclusivity. 

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - Building a legacy, leading with empathy and purpose at Property Tectonics with Esther Brady. In this episode, Penny Haslam is in conversation with Esther Brady, Managing Director of Property Tectonics, a property and construction consultancy known for blending professional services with innovative software solutions. 

Esther shares her journey from working on reception to leading the company, highlighting how her unconventional path and commitment to servant leadership have shaped her approach to business and people management.

Esther talks about the unexpected challenges she faced when her father, the company founder, passed away, thrusting her into the role of MD amidst personal grief and a shifting business landscape. She reflects on how these experiences boosted her confidence, driving her to lead with empathy, foster a strong workplace culture and ensure her team feels valued and supported.

Throughout the conversation, Esther and Penny explore the importance of purpose in business, especially for the younger generation and how Property Tectonics’ credo - delighting customers, making money, being commercial and being good citizen - guides their operations. Esther emphasises the value of nurturing a positive culture, having frank conversations, and staying grounded through personal connections and family.

Penny and Esther’s conversation is filled with insights on authentic leadership, building confidence through adversity, and the power of purpose in driving business success. 

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Workplace Confidence Podcast - How to lead smart people at Signature Discovery  with James Edgar. 

In this episode, Penny Haslam chats with James Edgar, Chief People Officer at Signature Discovery, an outsourced provider of early-stage drug discovery services for biotech and pharma companies. 

James brings a unique perspective to the role with a background in media, advertising, investment banking and even private prisons. Now at Signature Discovery, he’s driving growth in a rapidly expanding company that specialises in cutting-edge science, including oncology and Alzheimer’s research.

James shares how his diverse career path and values-driven leadership style drew him to Signature Discovery, where he oversees a team of nearly 1,000 people, most of whom are highly specialised scientists. 

He opens up about the challenges of maintaining a strong, family-like culture amidst rapid growth and the need to adapt communication styles to suit a more introverted, detail-oriented workforce. Highlighting the importance of co-creation and employee involvement in building company values and scaling them as the organisation expands globally.

Throughout the conversation, James and Penny explore the nuances of leading in a scientific environment, where the appetite for thorough analysis and thoughtful decision-making contrasts sharply with his previous experiences in faster-paced industries. 

James talks about building confidence across the organisation, encouraging open communication and the value of creating a supportive environment where vulnerability is seen as a strength.

Tune in to hear James’ insights on leadership, the importance of backing yourself and why cultivating a people-centric culture is key to Signature Discovery’s success. This episode offers a deep dive into the evolving world of people management and the power of self-awareness and adaptability in leadership.

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