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Welcome to the latest IWG podcast with John Reid MBE where we discuss the world of public service and operational excellence with John Reid, the Head of Operational Insights at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). With over 35 years of experience, John has dedicated his career to improving services for vulnerable customers and making a positive impact on communities across Scotland. John's passion for public service extends beyond his professional life. As a founding member of Ardgowan Football Development Club and an avid charity fundraiser, he brings a unique perspective on leadership, community engagement, and the importance of giving back

This Week’s Guest: Stephen Slessor, CEO of RSE In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Stephen Slessor, the CEO of RSE. Stephen shares a wealth of fascinating stories from his life, detailing his journey from his early education to his current leadership role. He takes us through the pivotal moments of his career, including the challenges and triumphs that shaped his path.

In this episode, we explore the journey of Eddie Fraser, whose extensive career in local government has been marked by dedication and a commitment to public service. As the Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council, Eddie has been at the forefront of community engagement, striving to improve the lives of the residents through innovative policies and programs. Join us as we delve into the experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership.

In this inspiring episode of the "I Was Gonnae" charity podcast, we sit down with Evelyne McDonald, the esteemed CEO of Scottish EDGE, a leading organisation that supports Scotland's most innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs. Join us as Evelyne shares her invaluable insights on fostering entrepreneurship and how Scottish EDGE is empowering the next generation of business leaders. Discover the impactful stories of those who've turned their visions into reality with the support of Scottish EDGE.

I was gonnae charity podcast are delighted to announce that this week's guest is Edel Harris OBE , the former CEO of Mencap, the UK's leading learning disability charity. Edel has over 25 years of experience in the social care sector and is passionate about improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. She was until recently a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Trustee of the Robertson Trust. In this episode, we talk to Edel about her career journey, her achievements and challenges at Mencap, and her advice for aspiring leaders in the social care sector. Tune in to hear her insights and stories on our podcast, available. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our show. We hope you enjoy it.

I was gonnae podcast are delighted to announce that this week's guest is Jim Todd, the provost of East Ayrshire. Jim has a fascinating story to share, from his time in the Navy to his current role as the civic leader of East Ayrshire. He talks about his achievements, challenges and aspirations for the future of E Ayrshire region. Tune in to hear his insights and advice on leadership, community and service. You don't want to miss this episode!

This week's guest is Vanessa Collingridge British author and broadcaster.

This week's guest is Ryan Clark CEO of the Safer Group

This week's guest is David Martindale manager at Livingston Football club

This week's #iwasgonnae podcast guest is Zara Janjua Award-winning TV, Radio & Podcast Presenter / Columnist / Journalist / Host / Comedian / Writer / Producer / Director / Filmmaker / Charity Trustee / Media & Presenter Training Instructor. Zara was born in Glasgow and tells us that ‘she likes to be busy’ you can tell that having one look at her LinkedIn profile and her incredible list of what she is currently doing TV, Radio & Podcast Presenter / Columnist / Journalist / Host / Comedian / Writer / Producer / Director / Filmmaker / Charity Trustee / Media & Presenter Training Instructor. At #school she says, ‘she didn’t feel as if I fitted in’ and felt ‘a little conflicted’ and called herself ‘a floater’ at that time. Zara continues that she felt her life didn’t really start until she left school. She calls herself ‘a doer’ and likes to be busy and doesn’t like to spend too much ‘time processing that are not going well’. Her advice for the future generation is ‘turn your ideas into something tangible', ‘getting my ideas out and into the world is what has shaped and is shaping my life and #career’. Hear more of Zara's amazing life stories now on the #Iwasgonnae podcast.

This week's #iwasgonnae podcast guest is Dr Andy Campbell Commercial Director at Elevator UK. Andy grew up in and still lives in #Paisley and has a real passion for the town. He tells us he loved school and liked being an academic sponge. He remembers talking to one of his primary teachers and referred to his classmates, ‘as his fellow scholars’, ‘and couldn’t believe that she laughed for using a big word!’. Needless to say, this was water off ducks back to Andy even at an early age. Andy says he thrives on some level of chaos and loves to live life fully with all the adventures it throughs up. Recalling his early #business #career, he says it was initially me tapping into my ‘inner geek’ playing with his ‘Spectrum computer.’ 'Initially as a hobby but quickly turned into my first business called Red Lemon', a very successful gaming business. Andy is currently the commercial director at Elevator UK ‘working alongside some really amazing and ambitious #entrepreneurs '. Listen to more of Dr. Andy Campbell’s life and career stories on the #Iwasgonnae podcast.

This weeks guest is Prof Eleanor Shaw OBE Associate Principal ( Pro Vice Chancellor) at University of Strathclyde. Eleanor explains she is left-handed and reflects on her early days at school being told to ‘sit on her left hand and write with her right hand’ and consequently ending up in a remedial class for spelling and writing because of the effect this was having on her brain. Despite this she ‘really enjoyed school’ but was unsure what career direction she was wanting to take. She remembers thinking she would like to be an ‘English teacher or even more boldly a writer’. Eleanor tells us of how Glasgow and the universities have always acted as magnet to her throughout her life and career. Now as the Associate Principal (Pro Vice Chancellor) at University of Strathclyde she says she wants to help encourage young people to ‘take ownership and agency of their lives’ and ‘not to be frightened of failure’. Listen to more of Prof Eleanor Shaw OBE life and career stories on the I was gonnae podcast.

This weeks I was gonnae guest is Geoff Leask, Chief Executive at Young Enterprise Scotland.  Geoff tells us that he had a nomadic life as a young man being born in Edinburgh and then moving to the borders then Leeds before settling in Jedburgh. As a young man Geoff tells us that despite Jedburgh’s size it had an independent record store where he spent a lot of time and money buying punk singles. Geoff has a ‘give it a go’ attitude to life which he reflects as emanating from his passion for punk music especially The Clash. Geoff’s first job on leaving school was as an apprentice deck officer for a shipping line company Fyffes shipping line the ‘banana ship’ to get his ‘escape route from the sleepy town of Jedburgh’ (no he didn’t hear London Calling or get on a Train in Vain!). ‘This job gave me the opportunity to see things over the horizon’. Geoff’s passion, motivation and life ethos is apparent to anyone who knows Geoff and what he has achieved within his career and most recently for YES (Young Enterprise Scotland). Listen to more of Geoff’s life and career stories on the I was gonnae podcast.

This week's guest is Dr. Poonam Malik Head of Investment at Strathclyde University. Dr. Poonam Malik was born and educated in India, however, Dr. Poonam tells us of there not being a secondary school in her local area, and her mother had to make the tough choice as to whether to send her at the age of 8 to another city to continue her education. Dr. Poonam describes this as an incredibly difficult decision but the correct decision. As Dr. Poonam's education developed she tells us she was offered a number of scholarships worldwide and decided to choose Glasgow to continue with her study of Virology. However, Dr. Poonam recalls landing at Glasgow airport herself with only £35 in her purse and having to pay the taxi driver £17! Find out how she managed from the airport and more about Dr. Poonam's career and life story on the I was gonnae podcast.

This weeks guest is Michelle Ferguson.  Michelle realised at a young age that she had a ‘passion for modern studies and history’ and ‘loved reading newspapers for school projects’. When she left school studied computer design and reflects that this gave her the ability to ‘visualise things' within projects and still uses the skill 'on a daily basis’. Michelle is the UK Managing Director at Scotland’s bravest manufacturing company based in Erskine and a part of the Royal British Legion Industries. Who give veterans the opportunity to work within their manufacturing facility  and ‘learn about manufacturing processes’. Michelle remembers coming from a family who ‘sat discussing and arguing points regarding the news and politics’ and thinks this is where she really ‘found my voice to stand up and say what I really believe’. Listen to more of Michelle’s inspirational life and career story now on the #iwasgonnae podcast