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In the latest episode of 'The Transformation Blueprint', our host, Magnus (Director of Interim HR & Transformation at Annapurna) welcomes Sian Myers (Chief People Officer at Railpen) onto the podcast. Sian took an unconventional route into HR, having started her career in tech. However, her natural passion for people and culture led her to where she is today, an extremely accomplished Chief People Officer and leader. During this episode, Sian talks us through how her first role in HR came about during her time at Ford, as well as how she led an employee culture and engagement transformation at Countryside that was so successful, ex-employees still stop her in the shops today to thank her for the work she did. Listen now to learn how you too can create work environments that keep high retention and engagement levels, even during rocky times.

Transformation rarely fails because leaders don't have a vision. More often, it loses momentum somewhere between the business case and the moment change actually goes live. For senior HR and Transformation leaders, the challenge is not simply deciding what needs to change. It is building the foundations early enough to ensure the transformation can survive the complexity, competing priorities and uncertainty that inevitably follows. In this episode of The Transformation Blueprint, Magnus sits down with Nadia Hutchinson, Global Director of HR Services and Operations at Cabot Corporation, to explore one of the most common pitfalls leaders face when driving large-scale change. Nadia shares why too many organisations spend their time worrying about what could go wrong after implementation, rather than investing the necessary time and rigour into planning properly from the very beginning. Drawing on her experience leading major workplace transformations, Nadia discusses how she prepares to rollout change plans and why that preparation is critical to moving the transformation from ambition to reality. For any HR or transformation leader currently trying to turn a business case into meaningful change, this episode offers valuable lessons on what it really takes to build the blueprint before you begin building the transformation itself. Listen now.

Welcome to our new podcast series, 'The Transformation Blueprint'! Over the course of several episodes, our host, Magnus Okuonghae (Interim & HR Transformation Director at Annapurna) will be speaking to some of the best People leaders to understand all things transformation. By listening to our guests' stories of lived experience leading transformation in business, we'll end up with a 'blueprint' for successful transformation. In this episode (the first of the series), Magnus sits down with Teru Ikogho (former Director of HR Strategy, Transformation and Global M&A). Teru speaks about the challenges of being diagnosed with Autism and Dyslexia later in life and how this actually plays into her strengths as a leader. She also delves into what it takes to help people navigate change when the future feels uncertain, supporting them and their career growth. Listen now to find out what Teru thinks are the three most important factors to lead a successful integration/ transformation.

Ever wondered what your first 90 days as a CTO should look like? Andrei Nita, Chief Technology Officer at McKenzie Intelligence Services, joins Sham Ahmed, Director of UK Technology at Annapurna, for a candid chat about just that in our latest #ERUPT podcast episode. The episode covers key topics such as; - Why you need to stop thinking like a developer - How many steps should be involved in your hiring strategy/ what the steps should be. - How to build trust amongst your new team and superiors. - The importance of reviewing current systems before breaking anything. And much, much more. Whether you're a developer who's aspiring to become a CTO in the future or a current CTO who simply wants to make sure they're driving along the right path to success, this episode is full of actionable takeaways that will benefit you both personally and professionally. Listen now to start learning.

Wondering what the future workplace looks like with the advancements of AI? Becky Finnegan (Associate Director at Annapurna) continues her #HRHeroes podcast series, aimed at shining a spotlight on the incredible people behind the HR strategies shaping today's world of work with Tejal Shah (Outgoing Global Head - Talent, People Development, and Organisation Effectiveness at Kantar).  With AI becoming ever more prevalent in the world of work, questions arise around things such as who should be leading the transformation, what its impact will be, and how it will benefit the wider workforce going forward. The conversations around this topic are never-ending, but with the time they had, Becky and Tejal covered critical topics surrounding people and AI, such as: 💡 How can senior leaders integrate AI into their departments? 💡 How important is the internal data set at a business before embarking on an AI journey? 💡Predictions for the next major disruptions to the workplace thanks to AI 💡Role of middle-layer managers adopting AI in team operations? 💡What is the impact of AI on workforce size, shape & composition? Hear all that was spoke about by listening now!

Hope Milne, Executive Search Manager at Annapurna, recently sat down with Alexa Bailey, Executive Talent Leader, for a thought-provoking conversation around AI and its impact on how leadership roles are changing and modernising organisational structure. Drawing on her experience both agency-side and in-house with global organisations, Alexa reflects on how the rise of AI is changing the expectations of today’s C-Suite. From the creation of new roles like 'Chief AI Officer' to the growing need for leaders who are adaptable, curious, and data-literate, Alexa explains how the most successful leaders are leading with empathy and galvanising 'specialist generalist' teams around a vision. Alexa also elaborates on how AI can unlock productivity gains, but only when organisations know how to reinvest those gains back into their people, learning, and culture. The underpinning reality is that balancing technology with humanity isn’t just a leadership challenge anymore, it’s fast becoming a competitive advantage. Whether you’re an HR professional, executive, or business leader navigating change, this episode offers valuable insights into how to prepare your workforce, and your leadership for the age of AI.

Continuing her latest podcast series, 'The Cost of Not', Hope Milne, Talent Practice Search Manager at Annapurna, sits down to talk to Roger Minton, Talent and Learning Leader, for an eye-opening conversation on the real business impact of Talent Leadership development programmes. Roger reflects on his time at Anglo American, where he led the creation of a Group Leadership Development strategy. One of the most powerful tactics he shares is how he involved executive stakeholders in shaping the look, feel, and format of the programme. This gave them a sense of ownership that ultimately protected the initiative from being deprioritised when budgets tightened and boosted its take-up amongst employees due to an unusual figure spearheading the initiative. Throughout the episode, Roger explains why 'build-your-own' development cultures aren’t just a cost-saving measure, they're a long-term business strategy. They help companies attract stronger talent at every level and, more importantly, retain it by making career progression within the organisation tangible and real. Whether you're exploring how to launch your own leadership programme or simply want to hear from someone who's done it successfully, this episode offers actionable ideas and honest reflections that will challenge how you think about talent, growth, and retention.

Thinking about taking your business global? You're not alone. Every ambitious organisation dreams of international expansion, but when it’s time to launch into new markets, the reality can be overwhelming. In this episode of the ERUPT podcast, Tom Walsh, GTM Search Manager at Annapurna, is joined by Anders Wall, former Co-CEO of GreenMobility A/S. Together, they dive into the real-world challenges and strategies behind scaling a business internationally. Anders shares: How to preserve and adapt company culture across different regions The regulatory pitfalls leaders often overlook when entering foreign markets Tips for launching in new geographies without burning through budget Why aligning internal teams before expansion is key to sustainable growth Whether you're a founder, C-level executive, or part of a go-to-market team, this episode is packed with practical insights for global business expansion. Listen now! 🎧

Continuing our latest podcast series, ‘HR Heroes’, where we sit down with inspirational people leaders from across industries to discuss their career journeys and more, is Charlotte Forsyth - Vice President, People at LoopMe.   With a background in both a corporate and startup environment, Charlotte chats to Becky Finnegan, Associate Director at Annapurna, about her varied experience and what led her to where she is today.   Charlotte shares how she’s navigated the evolving demands of fast-growth tech environments, the role of psychological safety in building high-performing teams, and why empathy should be a core leadership skill - not a “nice-to-have.”   Whether you're an aspiring HR leader or simply curious about what it takes to create people-first cultures that scale, this episode is packed with honest insights you won’t want to miss.

Welcome to the first episode of our brand new podcast series, 'HR Heroes'. This series is focused on shining a light on the inspiring people leaders driving real change in their organisation and beyond. In this debut episode, Becky Finnegan, Associate Director at Annapurna, is joined by Peter Zielonka for a discussion on his career journey. Peter opens up about his early days working in London to leading international change programmes, and the key moments that shaped his path. He also emphasises the value of diverse teams, the impact of great mentors, and the importance of simplicity when it comes to effectively with people at all levels of a business. If you're passionate about HR, leadership, or just love hearing how others have navigated the challenges in their careers, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Tom Walsh, Executive Search Manager at Annapurna, sits down with Glenn, SVP of Sales, EMEA at Kollective Technology, to uncover what it really takes to scale a high-performing sales team using the MEDDIC methodology. Having spent nearly 13 years at Kollective Technology, Glenn has gone from being a member of the sales team to leading revenue functions across EMEA and uses his experience to share insights on: ✅ Avoiding the "Super IC" trap and making the shift to true leadership ✅ Building repeatable, scalable sales processes that drive long-term success ✅ Embedding MEDDIC to improve deal qualification and forecast accuracy Glenn also explains why he believes MEDDIC is much more than just a framework, emphasising its crucial presence for creating a high-performing, results-driven sales culture. Whether you’re a seasoned sales leader looking to fine-tune your strategy or an aspiring manager preparing for the next step, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways to improve your approach. 🎧 Tune in now to learn all you need to know about sales strategies.

Welcome back to part two of our conversation with Ralf Hellebrand, Head of Division IT Transformation at Vodafone, hosted by Charley Lucas, Interim IT Manager at Annapurna. In this episode, they dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities organisations face in 2025 and beyond, with a strong focus on how artificial intelligence is driving transformation. Ralf explores how changing motivations and increasing complexity, both in business and everyday life, are pushing organisations to rethink their structures. He explains how AI can help solve many of these challenges by improving efficiency, engagement, and decision-making. They also discuss the growing influence of IT in industries that weren’t traditionally tech-driven, the dangers of siloed working, and why integrating teams is key to successful transformation. Drawing from his extensive experience, Ralf shares real-world examples of businesses that have successfully leveraged AI to reshape processes, enhance transparency, and strengthen collaboration between employees and leadership. Tune in to discover how AI is shaping the future of work and what organisations must do to stay ahead.

Charley Lucas (Interim IT Manager at Annapurna) continues his latest podcast series with leaders in the IT space by sitting down with Ralf Hellebrand (Head of Division IT at Vodafone) for an insightful discussion on ‘Gliding Through Transformation’.   In this episode, Ralf delves into the growing pressures of today’s accelerated and unpredictable business climate and its impact on leading transformations.   Ralf highlights that business stability has diminished compared to decades ago and emphasised the need to master the skill of managing the “known unknowns” in order to execute successful transformations.   During the discussion, Ralf’s fascinating and unique hobby became apparent – gliding planes, which surprisingly has a lot more in common with transformation leadership than you’d initially think.   Drawing a unique analogy, Ralf explained that just as gliders rely on unpredictable natural forces, transformation leaders must navigate uncertain environments.   Whether you work in IT, are leading (or preparing to lead) your organisation through a complex transformation, or are simply intrigued by the art of gliding, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice.

In this week’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Estelle Hollingsworth, who was the Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic at the time of recording and is now the Chief People Officer at McArthurGlen Group. Estelle is a firm believer in the idea that employees perform at their best when they feel happy, secure, and valued - a belief that challenges the traditional idea that high performance comes solely from pressure and resilience. She shares her perspective on why prioritising employee happiness isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ but a strategic advantage that leads to stronger business results. Estelle also uses her experience to elaborate on other key areas surrounding leadership and HR professionals such as, the role of leadership in shaping workplace culture, the power of emotional intelligence, and how organisations can create environments where people thrive. Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about the future of work, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode, Cristina-Gabriela Nita (Senior Tech Director) talks to Charley Lucas (IT Contracts and Senior Appointments Manager at Annapurna) about a phrase that she has coined herself, BizDecSecAIOps. The BizDevSecOps methodology has now been around for a number of years with the aim of optimising the software development lifecycle through the efficient collaboration between the business, development and ops teams. The evolution of AI and the opportunity that it presents to businesses can be intertwined within this as a way of encouraging business leaders and employees to embrace AI's capabilities.