Yorkshire Business Podcast

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, Chloe speaks with Lou (Louise Sleightholm), creator and stylist at @LousCorporateLife, founder of sustainable workwear brand Mode, and co-founder of the Leeds Young Professionals Network.

Lou shares how she turned a personal pain into a movement, building a community of over 300,000 people inspired by her daily advice on corporate style.

But this conversation goes far beyond fashion. Together we explore the links between workwear, confidence, and self-esteem; how uniform policies can impact women at work; and why comments on appearance, too often dismissed as “harmless”, can contribute to a culture where sexual harassment is normalised.

This episode is about sustainability, confidence, and culture, and how leaders can rethink policies, behaviours, and practices to make the workplace not only more stylish, but safer and more empowering for everyone.

This podcast was made possible by OneSource HR.

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, hosted by Chloe Wallace, and proudly sponsored by OneSource HR, I sit down with James Woods, CEO of Citizens Advice Doncaster, to explore how his 15-year journey through the organisation has shaped his people-first leadership style.

Under James’ tenure as CEO, Citizens Advice Doncaster has transformed its reach from supporting just 3,000–4,000 people per year to an incredible 10,000 last year, bringing £9 million of income into Doncaster’s economy.

But it’s not without challenges. James busts one of the biggest misconceptions — Citizens Advice is not government funded. Instead, as an independent charity, they rely on innovation, collaboration, and partnerships with organisations like the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Centurion to sustain and grow their impact.

We discuss everything from:

• Fighting against “digital by design” and instead championing “digital by choice” to prevent digital exclusion and poverty in South Yorkshire.

• How Citizens Advice Doncaster links directly to employability and employee wellness across the region.

• What it really takes to lead a values-driven organisation in challenging times.

  
  

👉 Listen now to hear James’ inspiring leadership journey and gain insight into how Citizens Advice is changing lives in Doncaster and beyond.

👉 To connect directly with James, you can reach him via email at [email protected]

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, Chloe sits down with Pete Shillito, Director of Shillito Exec and Adept Resourcing, and South Yorkshire Chairperson for the Institute of Directors (IOD).

We dive into the exciting wave of investment in South Yorkshire, exploring projects at Sheffield Forgemasters, IFA, Special Melted Products, and Castings Technology. Pete highlights how these investments go beyond creating jobs – they build skilled employment opportunities, strengthen the local supply chain, and boost the region’s manufacturing and production sector, which is now up by a sixth compared to pre-pandemic levels (IOD survey insights).

We also discuss the entrepreneurial landscape in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and what makes the local business community unique. With nearly 20 years’ experience in executive search and recruitment, Pete shares advice on building people-centred relationships with recruiters in a world increasingly driven by AI – reminding us why the human touch in recruitment still matters.

This episode is produced and sponsored by OneSource HR, Rotherham-based HR specialists supporting SMEs across Yorkshire with trauma-informed HR, workplace misconduct expertise, and practical HR solutions.

In this episode of Yorkshire Business Podcast, Margaret Wood from VMG Associates joins us, to challenge the reductive thinking that often hinders businesses from solving their most pressing problems, including the growing skills gaps. From gender inequality to ageism, there are countless barriers that employers face, barriers that are often self-imposed due to outdated perceptions of what work should look like.

Our host Chloe, explores how businesses are inadvertently limiting their own potential by sticking to rigid structures that exclude a large portion of the workforce. Whether it’s not embracing flexible working, not creating pathways for women to progress into senior roles, or failing to support an age-diverse workforce, these issues directly affect a company’s ability to be productive and innovative.

This is a must listen for business owners, leaders, and HR practitioners alike. Tune in and listen to Chloe and Margaret discuss how breaking down these barriers, whether gender, age, or work structure, can unlock a world of untapped potential, improving productivity and long-term success.

Connect with Margaret on LinkedIn here.

In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Breedon, mediator, trainer, and founder of Prospero Mediation and Training. Fresh from a lengthy career in the RAF, Chris shares his unique journey into the world of mediation, driven by a personal experience that ignited his passion for purposeful conflict resolution.

We dive into how organisations, despite their best efforts, often fall short when external pressures, like changing political landscapes can drive inequality and internal discord.

As two passionate professionals committed to positive and proactive people management, we explore some big questions, like whether internal HR practitioners are really the best choice for mediation.

Chris also gives us a glimpse into what typical mediation looks like, showing how SMEs can benefit from mediation before turning to costly employment solicitors. If you’re looking to understand how mediation can transform workplace dynamics, this episode is a must-listen!

Tune in and get inspired to take a more proactive approach to conflict resolution. 🎧✨

Team-building doesn’t have to be dull, expensive, or centered around alcohol. In this episode, we sit down with Jo Smedley from Red Herring Games to explore alternative ways to bring teams together, whether in person or remotely, without breaking the bank.

With Jo, the only 'professional assassin' you'll meet and survive, we discuss:

✅ Creative team-building ideas that are genuinely engaging
✅ Rethinking alcohol at work events—the risks, the impact, and how to decentre it
✅ How tech makes inclusivity easier—giving companies fewer excuses to ignore it

If you’re rethinking team building, inclusivity at your events, minimising risks associated with alcohol at work events, and company culture, this one’s for you!

🎧 Tune in now and learn more about Red Herring Games atwww.red-herring-games.com

In this episode, we explore the pressing need for trauma-informed sexual harassment training in the workplace.

With the Worker Protection Act in place and now mandating that employers take proactive steps to prevent harassment, it’s not enough to simply tick compliance boxes.

We dive into the power of training as a preventative, cultural shift, exploring why empathy-driven, trauma-informed approaches are essential for protecting and empowering employees.

Discover actionable insights on how businesses can evolve beyond punitive policies to foster truly safe, inclusive workplaces.

Interested to learn more, check out our website, or contact us on-

www.onesourcehr.co.uk

[email protected]

In this episode we're diving into the foundations of creating a safety-first culture with Andrew, owner of Pro-Vision Health, Safety and Environmental Consultancy .

Drawing on Andrew's extensive experience culminating in a corporate role as Global Director at AkzoNobel, we cover everything from communication to recognition, exploring the key building blocks that empower organisations to prioritise safety across all levels.

We discuss:

• The critical role leadership plays in championing a safety-first mindset.
• How HR and HSE departments can join forces to create a people-first approach to workplace safety.
• Real-world examples from Andrew on how investing in a safety culture doesn't just protect people—it can also boost your bottom line.

Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or just curious about the intersection of safety and people management, this episode offers actionable insights on why prioritising safety is more than compliance—it's a strategic advantage.

Tune in for some practical, hot takes on how creating a safety-first culture can transform your workplace!

You can contact Andrew and benefit from up to 30 minutes of free strategy call via his company website - Home Page (pro-visionhse.com)

In this episode of HR hot takes, we're getting straight to the point about the UK's growing skills gap and why leaders needs to step away from the day to day grind to think long term.

Using MakeUK's National Manufacturing Day as a prime example, our HR consultant, Chloe, shares practical strategies to engage young talent, and build a pipeline for future skills.

We'll cover why it's crucial to bring fresh blood into your business and how failing to do so could mean the end of business continuity. No fluff, just straight talking advice on solving the talent crisis.

Whilst today's podcast does discuss MakeUK's NMD, there is no affiliation. Furthermore, we use MakeUK's NMD as an example, but the principles are applicable to a diverse range of sectors.

As always, our objective is to help leaders find the links between people, performance and profit, in a jargon free and actionable way!

In this episode our HR consultant, breaks down the essential role of leadership in fostering respect and dignity in the workplace. Through real-life examples, actionable advice, and a brief breakdown of UK employment law like the Equality Act and Worker Protection Bill, this podcast empowers leaders to create safe, inclusive, and legally compliant work environments, for better bottom lines!To learn more about the work that we do, visit www.onesourcehr.co.uk