Real Founder Journeys

Alexandra Chirica, Founder of Recfindr, joins me to discuss her career journey that started when she was contemplating a career in law, then her segway into the recruitment industry, establishing her own recruitment agency during lockdown, and now launching the Rectech platform, Recfindr. My conversation with Alex starts with some light-hearted banter about the Founder’s journey and the importance of wifi, she offers her insights and reflections on the recruitment industry, and she opens up about her personal and professional experiences that have shaped her entrepreneurial path. Alex recounts her initial desire to pursue law, which stemmed from a longstanding ambition but ultimately shifted when she realised it wasn't a true calling. After completing her degree in English Literature, she felt lost in terms of career direction. Her entry into recruitment began incidentally during assessment days, where she unexpectedly found a fit in the role. Despite having no prior knowledge of recruitment, she flourished in the competitive environment. She candidly emphasises the ethical challenges in the recruitment industry, reflecting on experiences that required a careful balance of trust between recruiters and candidates. She noted unprofessional practices in recruitment that exploit candidates' trust, stirring her moral compass. The discussion also touches on the difficulties faced by women in a male-dominated industry. Transitioning to her entrepreneur phase, Alex shares how she co-founded Tale motivated by a desire to create a more ethical and candidate-centred recruitment experience. This venture exemplifies her commitment to upholding strong values in recruitment. At this point, we start to understand the origins of Recfindr, as the combination of her expertise in Fintech combined with recognising the value of specialised recruiters based on a niche model, really enhances efficiency and understanding in the hiring process. Recfindr was conceptualised to address a gap in the recruitment market, where hiring managers often struggle to find suitable recruiters. Alex details her efforts to build an online community and how feedback has played a critical role in shaping the platform, also emphasising the importance of authenticity in personal branding and community building. We explore her success with content creation and we deep-dive into her thoughts on the significance of creativity, resilience, and a solution-oriented mindset, as essential traits for Founders facing the uncertainties of entrepreneurship. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS… Alex wraps the conversation with BIG NEWS - she announces her ambitions for Recfindr over the next year, and her plans for angel investment to further enhance the platform's features and expand its user base. GET IN LINE INVESTORS! MIC DROP! - We’re outta here…. Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

I'm super-excited to share this conversation with Michael Ekpe, Co-Founder of LEAP, as Michael's journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, the power of continuous learning, and his sense of adventure and desire to meet and exceed a challenge. Arriving in the UK at just 16 years old, Michael had to work tirelessly to put himself through college while living with his brother. His determination saw him earn a degree in Business Information Systems and Computer Networks, but his path was far from straightforward. After facing rejections from numerous graduate programs, Michael found himself working in a call centre. However, his story took a significant turn when he received a call from a company where he had interned, kick-starting his formal journey into technology transformation.From there, Michael's career trajectory soared. He became known for his technical expertise in handling large-scale tech transformation projects with leading companies like Fujitsu, Tesco Bank, and Worldpay. His reputation for exceeding technical challenges in fast-paced environments paved the way for his entry into UK Central Government.Michael’s government career included key roles at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, HM Treasury, and Public Health England. His journey into the C-Suite as Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Public Health England highlights his ability to navigate complex bureaucratic landscapes while driving digital innovation.During our conversation, Michael shares his early experiences in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where he learned the intricacies of government operations and met mission-driven team members. He discusses his transition into the C-Suite, emphasising leadership through strategy and people over technical expertise. Michael openly talks about the successes and challenges he faced, and he pays tribute to a previous leader who significantly influenced his leadership style within the UK Central Government.We also explore Michael's latest venture, LEAP – Learning through Engagement, Application, and Practice. He shares the inspiration behind LEAP, its mission, and the vision for the next 12 months. LEAP aims to close the digital skills gap in the public sector by combining the structure of formal training with the flexibility of informal learning, providing a practical, engaging, and collaborative learning experience.For some additional context, Michael and I met 12-years ago, when I was working in a recruitment agency and my client was Worldpay, and Michael was a contractor open to discussing a new career challenge; this again, is a testament to how Michael values and invests in building long-term relationships. Michael Ekpe is a human you're going to get to know very well during this conversation - even as a self-confessed introvert - he has a magnetic personality that draws you in as you want to learn more about his incredibly entrepreneurial journey.  Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My Guest on this episode of the Never Mind The Job Spec podcast is Bianca Errigo, Founder of HumanOS. We delve into the extraordinary journey of Bianca, whose story is a testament to resilience, passion, and transformation. Bianca's diverse interests and experiences have shaped her life and career in profound ways, leading to the creation of HumanOS, a platform dedicated to health and well-being. We start by exploring Bianca's fascination with psychology and her unique interest in natural disasters and geography. She shares how her childhood experiences, including being bullied, ignited her passion for understanding the human mind and behaviour and why these early challenges laid the foundation for her future Founder's journey. A significant turning point in Bianca's life was the sudden and rapid decline in her father Angelo's health. Faced with the urgency to support herself, Bianca took a job in technology sales. Despite working in a male-dominated environment, she quickly rose to the top as a No.1 sales person, driven by a goal-oriented approach that often meant 20-hour workdays. However, this relentless pursuit of success came at the cost of her own health and well-being. Tragically, the loss of her father led to a collapse in Bianca's health, prompting her to take time out to travel and find her own sense of well-being—a journey she refers to as reclaiming her "crown of health." This period of self-discovery was pivotal, providing her with the insights and determination to shift her career focus. During the pandemic, Bianca began online coaching in health and well-being, marking the first iteration of HumanOS. She started with a few online courses during lockdown, which eventually led her to become a certified personal trainer. This experience significantly influenced her entrepreneurial vision, shaping the next steps of her journey. Bianca's Founder's story is not just about creating a wellness platform; it's about integrating her lived experiences into a holistic approach to health. HumanOS represents the culmination of her personal and professional journey, emphasising the importance of technology in amplifying accessibility to health and wellness in the workplace. However, Bianca strongly believes that true wellness can only be achieved through human connections. This is Bianca Errigo's incredible story of perseverance, growth, and the pursuit of holistic health and the experiences and insights that have driven her to create a platform that goes beyond traditional wellness solutions.You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

Join me as I reconnect with Katrina Collier, renowned author of The Robot-Proof Recruiter, to talk about her journey since 2020 - when she joined me the first time on the Never Mind The Job Spec podcast.  Since our last conversation, Katrina has experienced significant changes and gained new insights, and she shares her journey of transition from pre-pandemic event management,  to writing her latest book, Reboot Hiring.  We begin the conversation by delving into the origins of Reboot Hiring, and Katrina shares her exploration of the challenges recruiters face in setting up alignment meetings with hiring managers. These meetings, known as job briefs or kickoff calls, are essential for defining roles effectively. Katrina highlights the frustrations when managers refuse these meetings, leading to poorly defined job descriptions and unrealistic expectations. She emphasises the necessity of these meetings for understanding role needs, setting realistic timelines, and ensuring accountability from both parties. The discussion shifts to how recruiters can transition from being service providers to strategic partners. Katrina shares insights on framing conversations with hiring managers and the importance of asking impactful questions. She stresses the need for recruiters to come prepared with market knowledge and to engage in a collaborative process. The focus is on demonstrating expertise and ensuring hiring managers are accountable in the recruitment process. We then delve into the mission of Reboot Hiring, which aims to equip recruiters with tools and insights to transform their approach. The book includes real-life examples and contributions from 60 industry voices, offering practical advice for improving the recruitment process. Katrina discusses the importance of recruiters showcasing their value to avoid being replaced by technology. As a friend, it’s natural that we focus on more personal topics, as Katrina shares her journey of healing from childhood trauma, she discusses her experience with emotional and physical abuse from a narcissistic parent and the transformative process of therapy.  Reflecting on her professional journey, Katrina talks about how personal growth has influenced her recruitment career. She emphasises the need for setting boundaries, asking the right questions, and continuously demonstrating value in professional roles. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in communication styles and the importance of directness in professional environments. We conclude the conversation with Katrina’s message of empowerment, where she encourages everyone to take control of their professional and personal journeys.You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

In this episode of Never Mind The Job Spec, we dive into a heartfelt and dynamic conversation with Nicolae Bogdan Bratis, a multifaceted musician and podcast producer. The podcast kicks off with Nicolae sharing some exciting personal news—he's about to become a father in August/September this year.  Nicolae shares  his journey from his small village in Transylvania to achieving national recognition on Romania's X Factor, and eventually moving to the UK to further his education and career in music production. Nicolae recounts the significant influence of a mentor in his early years, who introduced him to the technical aspects of music production, sparking his interest in the broader music industry. He shares the challenges and triumphs of transitioning to life in the UK, including adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers, and finding his footing in a foreign land. Despite the ups and downs, music remains a constant, grounding force for Nicolae. He talks about his experiences playing in bands, the importance of having a business plan for artists, and his passion for audio production, which led him to establish his podcast production company, Saspod. Nicolae shares valuable insights from a pivotal conversation with a record label owner that changed his mindset, encouraging him to diversify his skills and explore multiple paths simultaneously. We explore the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, visualising future goals, and continuously striving for improvement. Hear firsthand how Nicolae overcame initial struggles, leveraged his diverse skills, and built a business that not only supports clients' audio needs but also provides comprehensive coaching and consultation. His passion for quality and dedication to client success have shaped Saspod into a unique platform tailored to the needs of podcasters. As Nicolae prepares to move from Southampton to Glasgow, driven by the desire for a better environment for his growing family and the ambition to expand his business, he shares his hopes for providing a nurturing and musical household for his child. He also outlines his vision for the future of Saspod, including integrating new features like AI-driven show notes, video podcasting, and improved monetisation strategies. Throughout the conversation, Nicolae's resilience, ambition, and love for music shine through, offering listeners an inspiring story of dedication and adaptability. Tune in to hear about Nicolae's journey, insights into the music and podcasting industry, and his exciting new chapter as a father. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a podcast enthusiast, or someone seeking motivation to pursue your dreams, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice and inspirational stories. You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job SpecLearn more about Saspod here Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

Matyas and I first met over a shared interest in human-centred hiring, which naturally sparked my interest in his personal and career journey. Since that first meeting, we have had a host of conversations about the ever-evolving People and Talent space, and I’m incredibly excited to share this conversation that offers a window into the world of this incredibly kind, thoughtful, data-driven, and values-driven human-being. We kickstart with Matyas’ first leap-of-faith from a small Hungarian village to the Congressional Internship Programme in Washington DC, where he shares his experiences of the US political system and the startup ecosystem, and how this shaped his career choices that led to roles at Global brands, ABInBev and PwC. We discover how his passion for startups developed, which led to the pivotal decision to join IKAWA, the coffee tech startup.  Matyas opens up about his journey to self-awareness, including his experience coming out as a gay man and how therapy helped him accept himself, and how it informs their perspective on creating an inclusive workplace culture. He credits London and the UK for providing a supportive environment for his personal growth, and he shares the emotive story of meeting his husband, Rennan, and their upcoming move to Brazil.  Throughout the conversation, it’s clear that Matyas’ pursuit of authenticity in his career choices, and the importance of embracing one's true self, inform his approach to the People & Talent space, as he emphasises the importance of building a strong recruitment function and cultivating a culture aligned with the company's values, including inclusivity and diversity.  As the Head of Talent and People at InPlanet, Matyas shares his experience of maintaining cultural elements as an organisation scales, highlighting the need for conscious design in people practices to preserve values and behaviours that contribute to a positive workplace culture. Matyas has an inspiring story, which serves as a guide for personal and professional development and discovery, bravery and conviction, and continuous learning through making positive human connections.You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

Kat joined me on the Never Mind The Job Spec - The Podcast to talk about her social impact entrepreneurship and we start with a key statement that is very important to Kat and her mission - 'What we cannot imagine, cannot come into being'. The beauty of Kat is she will disrupt the norm, and she immediately flips-the-script and kickstarts the podcast by asking me a question which is really important, why? - Why do we do anything? When you know your why, it's a powerful space to be in from a mindset and action perspective. We talk about how she has had to persuade people to see value in her, even though she's been starting businesses since she was 11 years old; and we explore her journey to being a Social Impact Entrepreneur and she shares her knowledge and experiences. It's so insightful to hear Kat talk about taking the longer route to clear a pathway for others to achieve their goals; her sense of responsibility to this approach is very inspirational.A statement Kat made that really resonated with me when we discussed fundamental system change was, 'every system that is inequitable or non-inclusive was intentional' - and with this in mind, it starts to reframe your view on the DEI space. Are companies this brave to really ask this question of themselves and their companies?I'm thankful to her for sharing this part of her personal life, because through sharing this experience, she really - and very powerfully illustrates the difference in experience of a black female in a largely white dominant workforce. Kat describes herself as black, woman, queer, half-blind and autistic, and we explore how people respond to how she identifies herself, and how this intersects with her work as a DEI consultant. We explore The Well Work's mission to teach black women and non-binary Founders how to fund their ideas, and the outcomes from this community routed company are incredible. This conversation was recorded back in April 2023 when Kat was travelling through the UK on her way back to the USA, as she was preparing to launch a new cohort for The Well Work, combined with a host of impactful initiatives, and I would encourage every listener to check her out Kat's profile and The Well Work website to see the powerful outcomes achieved so far. You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

"Human beings seek connection, they seek truth, and I think a lot of what leadership is, is about how to communicate truth in a way that galvanises people" - that was one of the standout moments in my conversation with Laurence Booth-Clibborn, Co-Founder of The Mothership. In our conversation, we delve into Laurence’s fascinating journey, his passion for exploration and his bold curiosity, and how these qualities have shaped his diverse career to date. As a self-described "classic insecure overachiever," Laurence discusses his dedication to growth and learning, we explore his entrepreneurial ambitions, we talk about the importance of embracing risk, and he he shares insights on overcoming scepticism, controlling nerves, and finding success on the bleeding edge. As Laurence says, "living on the bleeding edge, that's where you find real success." From his early experiences in music, including a transformative Choir of Clare College Cambridge tour, to his role as a leader in the tech startup space, Laurence shares how he values building a culture of togetherness and high performance and he offers advice to other Founders, about the value of 'good' and 'kind' money within the venture funding and investment space. Reflecting on the core themes throughout our conversation, it's clear that Laurence values building relationships, community and a culture of inclusion, and he mentions, "the thing I find most enjoyable is relationship building, it's a big part of my value system, keeping up with people, and always being someone to offer support and advice." The choice for the title of this podcast then became very easy because Laurence is telling us his story of "The Journey of a Leader who Values Relationships, Community & Culture". You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

As the first guest on Season 2 of the podcast, I was really excited to delve into the career journey of Nick Brackenbury, the CEO of NearSt. Nick shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career path that led him to NearSt, and how his initial motivation was driven by a desire to maintain control over his destiny and work in an environment where creativity thrived, he said, "“I didn’t want to go down a route where I didn’t have control over my own destiny”. Reflecting on his stroke of luck in being at the right place at the right time - “I was lucky, being at the right place, at the right time, with the right set of interests” - Nick emphasises the importance of seizing opportunities aligned with your personal interests. A key turning point occurs as Nick decides to focus on digital creation over traditional advertising, highlighting the significance of carving a unique niche. Drawing from his experiences at Oglivy, Nick discusses the profound impact of good leadership on shaping his approach to working with people and subsequently running NearSt. As Nick shares the story of NearSt, he offers valuable insights in building MVPs, the challenge of bridging the gap between two worlds of attribution, and the combined feelings of frustration and engagement that can influence you when you're solving novel problems in the business landscape. I personally gained valuable insight from Nick's entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges of hiring in a startup, introducing the foundational elements of company culture, and his perspective on adapting the company's culture post-COVID, where he really emphasises the importance of being deliberate with time, both professionally and personally. A consistent theme in the conversation with Nick, is his fearlessness when faced with new and complex challenges; his motto of "back yourself" really resonates loudly, as offers his 3 key pieces of advise for aspiring Founders and Co-Founders. You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

I’ve known Lee Thomas-Wragg since we both joined the Radical Recruit team together back in mid-2020. Lee is such an energetic, empathetic, and passionate human-being, and I have immense respect for him and how he is a leading figure deeply immersed in advocating for LGBTQIA rights and workplace diversity.  Through this incredibly open conversation, Lee shares how, as an openly queer man living in London with his husband, he has had to overcome societal challenges and internal conflicts. He shares his experience of growing up, where he faced exclusion, bullying, and harassment, leading him to hide his true and authentic self, and he talks about how these experiences, and witnessing societal stigma, served to intensify his struggles with mental health.  Professional Journey and Shifts in Perspective We explore Lee’s professional journey and his focus on proving himself in a corporate world dominated by privilege and heteronormativity, and how his early career was driven by a desire to fit into a middle-class mould, resulting in financial success but personal dissatisfaction. We also discover how Lee's priorities shifted towards authenticity and empowerment, leading him to take on leadership roles that allowed him to support and inspire others. The Role of Allyship Importantly, we discuss the role of Allyship, and Lee advises to go beyond superficial support to active engagement; whether that’s speaking against untruths, championing marginalised voices, and being action-driven as opposed to the performative gestures on social media or in policy statements. Challenges in Corporate Inclusivity We delve into his experiences and opinions on policies and initiatives for diversity and inclusion, and how he has observed a disconnect between these efforts and their implementation in the corporate world. Lee acknowledges that there have been advances in gender diversity, other aspects, such as LGBTQIA inclusion, often aren’t as prioritised. Again, Lee emphasises the need for genuine representation and allyship, rather than tokenism, in the workplace. Changing Hearts and Minds Consulting Establishing Changing Hearts and Minds Consulting marks a change in Lee’s career and highlights his desire to quicken the pace and focus the direction of corporate inclusivity efforts. Through his consultancy, Lee talks about how he aims to foster real change through heart-centric approaches, combining his corporate savvy with a deep understanding of human empathy and diversity. Lee also shares how he plans to continue to advocate for visible signs of support, such as displaying rainbow flags, to create an inclusive atmosphere. He stresses that while this may seem a small gesture, it can significantly impact individuals who feel marginalised or underrepresented. Progression and Career Development within the LGBTQIA Community Lee plans to leverage his strengths in empathy, emotional intelligence, and corporate experience to make a tangible difference in the lives of LGBTQIA individuals and the broader community, and we delve into the challenges LGBTQIA individuals face in career progression and development, and he highlights the importance of succession planning and creating opportunities for LGBTQIA talents to advance in their careers. The Journey Ahead for the LGBTQIA Community One of Lee’s greatest strengths is his optimism, and he expresses hope for the future of the LGBTQIA community, emphasising the need for unity and support within the community itself. He called for those in privileged positions to amplify the voices of the more marginalised members and to fight for equal rights for all.You can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel here: Never Mind The Job Spec Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guests are Joel De Mowbray and Morgan Da Silva, together they make the founding team of Yes Make.  Yes Make believe in community empowerment through the construction of public spaces which inspire and are inspired by nature. Their process of ‘making’ in community spaces inadvertently fosters engagement from the community, from a place of curiosity rather than us giving unsolicited attention.They aim to mitigate the Climate Emergency, both locally and globally, by encouraging outdoor education and facilitating low carbon transport and renewable energy whilst promoting creativity and play for people of all ages. Joel De Mowbray has six years of experience delivering public infrastructure projects from cycle superhighway 4 to liveable neighbourhoods with Greenwich and Lambeth councils. Joel has been woodworking and carving for the past 20 years. It is something that has run in his family for 4 generations and has culminated in the start of Yes Make.In 2020 Morgan completed his master’s degree in sustainable energy systems and the transition away from fossil fuels and its social impact. Since then, he has joined Yes Make so that he can put all his experience into the practical execution of mitigating the climate crisis in his home town of London through circular economy construction practice and facilitating renewable energy in community spacesI first met Joel and Morgan in a session on a Sustainable Accelerator Programme, where they were developing the Yes Make proposition, and exploring the use of technology in environmental impact. Since then, they have continued to evolve the business and create beautiful community spaces - check out their Instagram feed here 📽 Yes Make Instagram Our conversation starts with their thoughts on the future direction of Yes Make, how they met again after 10-years, and rekindled a friendship. The beauty of a conversation with Joel and Morgan, is that it can go anywhere! - we learn about Joel's rebellious streak, Morgan's time in a hippy commune and his visit to the  Hadron Collider, their vision and excitement about the spaces they are creating, and where robotics might have a place in the future of their business. I am very thankful to have had this conversation with Joel and Morgan, and I thank them wholeheartedly for sharing their story and experiences. A truly AWESOME dynamic duo! You can connect with my guests here: Joel De Mowbray and Morgan Da SilvaIf you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn You can connect with me, Glenn Martin, on my website or via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

Amali and I first met when she was CEO of Code First Girls, the largest provider of free coding courses for women in the UK; the impact she had here saw her awarded her MBE in the New Year's Honors list 2019 for ‘Services to diversity and training in the Tech Industry’. During our conversation, I learn about her experiences of Degree education and how she felt she'd "done the same degree twice", and she draws comparisons between the worlds of manufacturing and consumer product design. Amali talks to the importance of creating spaces to think and reflect, identifying opportunities for continuous learning and the importance of apprenticeships which can help individuals prepare for the working world, where the pace of technology is accelerating. Highlights of the conversation focuses on personal growth and continuous improvement (34:30), bringing thinkers together (38:00), measuring trust in business and adding a fiscal value on trust (41:00), innovation and company growth by hiring diverse talent (49:00), creating a culture where all cultures are welcome (50:40), building your own learning journey to be a better leader in a start-up (54:30), advising businesses around growth (1:05:00), and why she decided to join Subak, the world's first accelerator for climate not-for-profit (1:07:00). If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is the one usually asking the probing and insightful questions, so it was my pleasure to host Roderick Lambert and ask him about his career journey. Roderick’s mission is to help high-performing human-beings create 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 and 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙛𝙪𝙡 lives…and with a dual-focus on the 5 Pillars of Health: improve Sleep, Movement, Nutrition, Hydration, Stress levels, he helps people find and live the ‘best version of themselves’.On the show we discuss Roderick’s early life and education focused on music and I discover he is a multi-instrumentalist amongst other musical talents…...we discuss his thoughts and reflections on his own personal ambition, how his intrinsic confidence supported his decision-making when making bold career decisions that would open and end chapters of his life. We discover his two Aha moments... ...the first, when he realised he’d become numb to his corporate job and that it didn’t have purpose, and the second, when he started to question health guidelines and that the simple “eat less, move more” advice would lead him to irreversible health issues. As we near the end of the conversation, we circle back on the subject of purpose and Roderick shares his theory on this subject and how we all have more choices -when it comes to our own  life’s purpose - than we realise!If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is Mag Leahy, Head of Delivery & Tutor for Leaders Who Coach™, and Associate Certified Coach (ACC), has also had a successful career as a Responsive Angular Web Developer and Team Lead, driving the growth and development of Global brands, startups, and scale-ups.  Mag and I met through a mutual friend, when we collaborated to create, deliver, and host an online event in 2020 called BC4Leaders - Decoding Leadership for a Changing World. On the podcast, Mag shares her experience of navigating through a male-dominated tech industry, how she became a mentor and advocate for fellow female tech professionals and those with ambitions for a career in tech. She is very positive about her experiences, with stories of supportive colleagues, opportunities to share, collaborate, and learn, and she shares what it takes to lead in a very competitive development space. As our conversation progresses, Mag shares her significant and life-changing battle with long-Covid, and this part of our conversation is very emotive for so many reasons - Mag shares how she realised that this was a longer-term illness, the journey she went on from a mental health perspective, how is shaped her thinking about her future, and she shares the support and help that has taken her to the very positive stage of her journey so far. We close out with Mag's advice for anyone leading through change and how employers can support their employees in a post-pandemic world. If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn You can connect with me, Glenn Martin, on my website or via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is Róisín O'Toole, a wonderfully creative UX Design Director that illustrates her passion in every sketch she scribbles, every pixel she moves and every word she writes. Ró and I were first introduced when I contacted her about a UX Design freelance role back in the winter of 2015, and at that time, she was open to a new challenge having only arrived in London at the beginning of that year. When we met in-person...we chatted about everything BUT the job opportunity...we  covered London-life, values, music, design and art - I think a 30-minute meeting lasted well over an hour! Since then, Ró has established herself as a successful UX Director, and in our chat we discuss the path she has navigated to her current new role; we delve into her thoughts and experiences when it comes to the power of great feedback and the negative impact of poorly delivered feedback and we discuss her creative inspirations.  Also, she talks very candidly about why she is a passionate advocate for well-being and mental health awareness in the workplace. She also shares, how she - as a senior leader - creates safe and positive spaces for her team members to thrive and bring their whole self to work. I am very thankful to have had this conversation with Ró and I thank her wholeheartedly for sharing her story and experiences. A truly AWESOME human-being! If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is Emma Freivogel, Founder and CEO of Radical Recruit, a social recruitment consultancy with a values led approach to sourcing talent and represent those who are underrepresented and marginalised from the labour market. In her own words, Radical Recruit exists to excite, agitate and shake shit up in both the recruitment sector and business community! During our rollercoaster chat, I learn more about Emma as she talks about the catalyst behind her move from Australia to the UK, her experiences of the charity and care sector and she shares some emotive and insight stories about the people she met on her journey. She candidly talks about how Radical Recruit was established and how one mighty leap of faith from a single investor has generated so many positive outcomes since she started her proof of concept in 2018. She shares why she is on a mission to make meaningful change and have a long-lasting impact on the lives of the people and why businesses need educating about the challenges marginalised individuals have accessing the mainstream employment market because of labels like ‘ex-offender’, ‘former drug addict’ or ‘homeless’. If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is Justyna Koziczak, a surreal artist who has decided to devote her life to art. Justyna is an incredibly talented painter who creates dream-like compositions such as portraits, landscapes or interior scenes using an innovative approach which see's her use fire to paint on metal where she blends paint and scorch marks. Justyna joins me to talk about her journey through the prestigious Polish art education system, when she discovered her love for surreal art and how she started experimenting with her unique scorched metal and paint style. It's a fascinating conversation as we talk about her inspirations as an artist, what inspires her on a daily basis and which colours are important to her in her work, I also ask her her views about religion as a source for art and what she thinks about street artists like Banksy.Talking to Justyna, you immediately get the sense of an artist who is passionate and intentional in her art, thoughtful and playful in the way she would like us to experience her paintings and she would like to challenge our perception of art as she hopes to present stories of struggle, loss, hope and faith. As she tells me on the podcast, "not all that is gloomy and sinister must be bad, not all that is beautiful and fine must be good".  If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is one of the nicest people you’re likely to meet on the talent acquisition, recruitment and HR circuit - Rohan Dickinson. Rohan and I were first introduced when he was a guest on The #SocialRecruiting Show back in 2019 and we’ve stayed connected since then…...I wanted to get him on the podcast because he’s just recently changed careers and I wanted to learn more about the decision-making process behind that switch. Proof that on Never Mind The Job Spec, there isn’t really a script or structure - we start by chatting about Rohan’s ultra-marathon achievements and what motivates him to push himself to his physical limits and what “hitting the wall” feels like. Through our chat I discover more about Rohan’s educational background, how sport plays an important part in his physiological approach to work, his resilience in the face of personal and career challenges - such as redundancy due to Covid-19 - and his creativity in finding new opportunities and career pathways in HR and how he landed the Head of Partnerships at Adway. A really great moment for me was when Rohan shared his hopes for his son, Luca, as we chat about the future of work.A note for listeners, I make reference to talking about being a Non-Executive Director and Leadership buy-in later in the podcast and we never actually get round to it...I think that opens the door for another chat with Rohan which I think would be really cool. For now, here's part 1 of our conversation....If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guests are entrepreneurs and co-founders Mae Yip and Samantha HornsbyMae and Sam are life-long friends and co-founders of ERIC, an acronym for the four principles that embody their process and company ethos - Empower, Represent, Immerse & Create.Through the conversation, I discover why Sam and Mae established ERIC, how very different their respective career journeys have been, what they think about the world of talent acquisition and recruitment and how they aim to deliver continuous learning opportunities for the ERIC community. ERIC is focused on supporting Gen Z individuals to source and find employment opportunities in the creative industry and Mae and Sam share fascinating facts and feedback from research they've conducted with their community - the findings are mind-blowing! We also talk about investment in internships and apprentice level opportunities, employer responsibilities regarding their employees' mental health and well-being and how far does an employer's duty of care extend. A special moment for me personally was when Mae and Sam talk about how their relationship is the foundation for all they have achieved so far - VERY AWESOME and INSPIRATIONAL! We round out the show talking about their hopes for the future of ERIC and how they will continue on their mission to drive change for the betterment of their community! A small disclaimer for the show; we are interrupted a couple of times by my cat Iggy, and, full credit to Mae and Sam for answering possibly the most-winded question I’ve asked to date on the podcast to date - also, we laugh a lot!You can connect with my guests on LinkedIn here: Mae Yip and Samantha Hornsby If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn You can connect with me, Glenn Martin, on my website or via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/

My guest is the audio magician, Nicolae Bogdan Bratis Nicolae is the founder of Saw & Sine & Saspod a boutique audio studio with a mission to offer the best sound for your music production, mixing & mastering and podcast and audiobook editing. During the course of working with Nicole, I was struck by his passion for audio and music and this intrigued me - I was curious to know where this passion came from and what was the driving force behind it - so, I decided it was time to invite him on as a guest.  Nicolae shares more about his early education and how this shaped his understanding of music, he discusses how music took him to the final of the Romanian X-Factor to playing in house bands across shows and TV in Bucharest....and most importantly, he shares his ‘Aha’ moment when he changed the direction of his career and came to the UK to study audio and then establish his business, Saw & Sine.  For you music lovers who tune in, Nicolae also shares some of his early music and we chat about the future of his musical career under the name ‘Bratis’. As a side-note, we do discuss the merits of classic Star Trek versus the new offerings such as Discovery - this could be quite contentious for fellow Trekkies! If you enjoyed the podcast, you can stay updated on all future Never Mind the Job Spec podcasts on our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Visit our website: https://nevermindthejobspec.com/