The Full Circl Podcast
Catch up on the latest from Circl — new launches, fresh partnerships, standout moments and the impact we’re making as we grow.
Episode 124
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Maria Onyango, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Deliveroo, shares her insights on the importance of DEI in the workplace.
She discusses her career journey, the challenges she faced, and her passion for advocating for fairness and inclusion.
Maria emphasises the significance of understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how they contribute to a positive corporate culture.
Episode 123
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Paolo Emilio Testa shares his extensive career journey in HR, discussing his experiences across various countries and companies.
He emphasises the importance of resilience, the evolving nature of leadership in the face of technological advancements, and the critical need for future leaders to develop human-centric skills.
Paolo also highlights the significance of feedback and personal growth, encouraging young professionals to embrace challenges and learn from their experiences.
Episode 122
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Kat Hopkins, the UK HR Director for Atos, shares her unique career journey, highlighting the importance of self-navigation in career paths, the impact of mentorship, and the evolving role of HR in the face of technological advancements.
She discusses the challenges faced during acquisitions, the significance of networking, and offers valuable advice for the next generation entering the workforce.
Episode 121
In this episode of the Full Circl Podcast, Simon Gallagher, CEO of Euronext UK, shares his journey from studying languages in France to leading Europe’s largest stock exchange.
He reflects on the pivotal decisions that shaped his career, including taking risks, chasing skills over titles, and the importance of building a strong foundation in your 20s.
Simon also discusses how living and working abroad gave him resilience and a global perspective that continue to influence his leadership today. From navigating early career uncertainty to mastering communication as a CEO, he offers valuable advice for young professionals on embracing change, taking calculated risks, and continuously developing both technical and soft skills.
Episode 120
In this episode of the Full Circl Podcast, Alistair Murray, the COO of Kyndryl, shares his journey from a mixed childhood in Scotland to becoming a successful leader in the IT infrastructure sector.
He discusses the importance of confidence, ambition, and seizing opportunities, especially for young professionals entering a rapidly changing job market.
Alistair emphasises the need for curiosity, continuous learning, and the significance of personal reputation in achieving success. He inspires listeners to be bold, prioritize their time wisely, and follow their passions.
Episode 119
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Scott Summerville, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Automation, discusses his role in the company, the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace, and how inclusion benefits businesses.
He shares insights from his early career, the transition to leadership, and the significance of intellectual curiosity, kindness, and respect in effective leadership.
Scott emphasises the value of building relationships and staying close to customers as key components of successful business practices.
Episode 118
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Carlo Mocci, Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo, shares insights from his diverse career journey, starting from his early years and unplanned entry into the corporate world, to his leadership experiences at Deliveroo.
He emphasises the importance of curiosity, customer obsession, and the value of lateral moves in career development.
Carlo reflects on his personal growth, leadership challenges, and what he looks for in young professionals entering the workforce.
Episode 117
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Mark Cowlard shares his extensive journey within Arcadis, highlighting the importance of people in business and the evolving nature of leadership.
He reflects on his early ambitions, work ethic, and the significance of being open-minded in career choices.
Mark emphasises the need for hard work, building relationships, and finding fulfillment in one's career, while also offering valuable advice for future leaders navigating a challenging job market.
Episode 116
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage, shares her journey from a chaotic childhood to her impactful roles in the civil service and the World Bank.
She discusses her transition to the horticultural sector, emphasising the importance of plant conservation and the role of volunteers in safeguarding plant diversity.
Gwen also offers valuable career advice for young people, encouraging them to explore various opportunities and find what they love.
Episode 115
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Bruce Findlay shares his extensive career journey in the retail sector, highlighting his experiences at Landsec and various international brands.
He discusses the importance of finding passion in one's work, the value of mentorship, and the significance of resilience in overcoming challenges.
Bruce emphasises that success is largely determined by one's attitude and approach, and he encourages future leaders to learn from their mistakes and embrace adversity as a learning opportunity.
Episode 114
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Keith Hanlon-Smith, Chief People Officer at the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), shares insights from his career journey, starting from his early days in a supermarket to his current role in ensuring rail safety.
He discusses the importance of tailoring management styles to individual team members, the challenges of navigating organisational restructuring, and the significance of finding a career that aligns with one's passions.
Keith emphasises the human aspect of leadership and offers valuable advice for young professionals entering the workforce.
Episode 113
In this episode of the Full Circl podcast, Sarah Lawton, HR Director at BT and trustee for Street Paws, shares her inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing to a successful career in telecommunications and HR.
She discusses the values instilled in her from her early life, the importance of self-belief, and the impact of mentorship.
Sarah also highlights her passion for animals and her commitment to charity work, emphasising the significance of discipline and community in both personal and professional growth.
Episode 112
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Lorna Cobbett, Founder and CEO of Blue John, shares her inspiring journey from investment banking to building a reputation management consultancy.
She reflects on navigating personal challenges while growing her business, offers her perspective on authentic leadership, and introduces her innovative HR tech platform designed to make hiring fairer by focusing on reputation and character rather than CVs.
Lorna leaves future leaders with advice to carry forward: always ask questions, stay curious, and lead in a way that stays true to who you are.
Episode 111
In this episode, Harry Atkinson shares his journey from student to a driven professional in business development. He reflects on his early educational experiences, his first internship at HP, and the pivotal role Instabase played in shaping his career.
Harry emphasises the importance of setting high standards, delivering quality execution, and mastering the key skills that drive success in business development—intelligence, coachability, and resilience. He concludes with practical advice for young professionals, highlighting the value of hard work in the early years and the impact of learning from great leaders.
Episode 110
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Sarah Scholefield, Group Chief Executive of Accordience, shares her journey in the communications industry, from starting out as a PR practitioner to leading multiple agencies as a business executive.
She reflects on the value of being open-minded, taking risks, and embracing mistakes as part of growth, particularly for young professionals at the start of their careers. Sarah also explores the changing world of work, touching on the rise of remote opportunities and the continued importance of location in shaping career paths.
Episode 109
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Elaine Carroll shares her inspiring journey as a disabled and neurodivergent woman who overcame significant barriers to achieve success at Google.
She reflects on her experiences with self-doubt, the role of a supportive family, and her philosophy of living life to the fullest despite challenges. Elaine also offers thoughtful advice for those facing similar struggles, encouraging listeners to define success on their own terms rather than following societal expectations.
Episode 108
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Anna Dahlfors, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vizrt, shares her journey from studying law to building a career in HR leadership.
She explores the evolving role of HR as a strategic business partner, the value of transferable skills, and the balance of support and challenge needed for growth. Anna also highlights Vizrt’s commitment to recruiting talent at all levels and offers practical advice for young professionals stepping into the workforce.
Episode 107
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Luca Concone, a seasoned professional with a career spanning consulting, startups, and leadership roles, shares his journey from his early life through to working at prestigious firms like McKinsey before making the transition into the startup world.
He reflects on the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and emotional intelligence in building a successful career. Luca also offers valuable lessons from his own experiences and practical advice for young professionals navigating their paths with confidence and curiosity.
Episode 106
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Melanie Smallwood, Group Chief Commercial and Brand Partnerships Officer at Global Fashion Group, reflects on her journey from a quiet teenager to a senior leader in the global fashion industry.
She shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her career, from building resilience and learning through failure to embracing agility in an ever-changing workplace. Melanie also highlights the importance of strong relationships, self-worth, and respect as guiding principles for long-term success.
Episode 105
In this episode of The Full Circl Podcast, Andrew Moultrie, CEO of BBC Studioworks, shares his journey from a challenging youth to leading within one of the UK’s most recognisable media organisations.
He reflects on the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership, the value of preparation, and how curiosity and travel have shaped his outlook on life and work. Andrew also opens up about his experiences with mental health, offering candid insights and practical advice for aspiring leaders finding their way.
Ariam, the Chief People Officer at TSB Bank
In this conversation, Ariam, the Chief People Officer at TSB Bank, shares her journey from being a first-generation immigrant to a leadership role in a major financial institution.
She discusses her early aspirations, the challenges she faced, including imposter syndrome, and the importance of resilience and networking in career development. Ariam emphasises the need for empathy in leadership and the significance of understanding youth perspectives in shaping the future of organisations.
Episode 103
In this episode, Russell Johnson shares his extensive journey in data science, discussing his role as the first chief data scientist at Marks and Spencer, his early career choices, and the evolution of the data science field.
He emphasises the importance of mentorship, networking, and adapting to the rapid changes brought by AI tools. Russell reflects on his university experience, the transition from academia to business, and offers valuable advice for aspiring data scientists, highlighting the need for practical experience and the ability to think critically in a technology-driven landscape.