Careers Unwrapped

Art is Like a Shark: Creating a Career in the World of Art with Dr. James Fox, Art Historian and Broadcaster

Art history isn't just about museums and galleries—it's a gateway to developing crucial professional skills and understanding human creativity across time and cultures. In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett interviews Dr. James Fox, a renowned art historian, broadcaster, and Cambridge Scholar, who shares insights into his diverse career path and reveals how studying art history can lead to unexpected professional opportunities. What You'll Learn: * How studying art history develops transferable skills like analysis, communication, and creative problem-solving * Why the creative industries represent one of the UK's fastest-growing economic sectors * The pathway to becoming an academic, from undergraduate studies through PhD and beyond * How to transition from academic expertise to broadcast media careers * Why art education remains crucial for both economic growth and personal development * The unexpected career paths available to art history graduates, from business leadership to entertainment * The challenges and opportunities in broadcasting, including practical tips for on-camera work * How understanding art history provides valuable insights for navigating modern challenges The episode offers practical career guidance for those interested in creative industries while highlighting how artistic understanding contributes to professional success across various fields. Fox's journey from art enthusiast to multi-faceted professional demonstrates the diverse opportunities available when combining academic expertise with broader creative pursuits. Dr. James Fox is a renowned art historian, writer, and broadcaster based at the University of Cambridge, where he serves as Director of Studies at Emmanuel College. As a distinguished academic and public intellectual, he has dedicated his career to making art history accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences through engaging television documentaries, educational initiatives, and public speaking. With extensive experience teaching thousands of students over a 15-year career, Dr. Fox brings unique insights into the intersection of art history, education, and professional development. His work spans multiple roles, including running educational programs at a Canadian sculpture park, serving as creative director of an arts and crafts foundation, and producing acclaimed television series such as "Nature and Us: A History Through Art." If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here [https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review].    Connect with Dr. James Fox * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/doctorjamesfox/] * X [https://x.com/doctorjamesfox] Connect with Mark Fawcett * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfawcett] * We Are Futures [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearefuturesuk] Careers Unwrapped is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=confessions-of-a-b2b-marketer?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=building-biotechs-a-podcast-by-recruitomics-consulting] Check out our three most downloaded episodes: * From Dreams to Reality: Camila Holden-Ayala’s Journey to Senior Account Manager at Broadcast Revolution [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/18p4y4k8-dreams-to-reality-camila-holden-ayala] * How to Kickstart your Career by Asking Questions with Bhushan Sethi, Partner at Strategy& [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/r87lzlln-kickstart-your-career-bhushan-sethi] * Make Mistakes… Then Learn From Them! With Rahul Moodgal, Director of Parvus Asset Management [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/5nzjw1vn-make-mistakes-learn-rahul-moodgal] Previous guests include: Phil Harding, archaeologist from Time Team; Deborah Meaden, investor on Dragons' Den; Andrew Barnabas, musical composer; Fiona Campbell of BBC Iplayer & BBC Three; Emma Keller of Nestlé; Nick Telson-Sillett, entrepreneur, an angel investor, a podcaster, a startup mentor, and a public speaker; Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of Olio; Peter Hopwood, Global Tedx Storytelling and Speaker Coach;  If you are interested in joining Careers Unwrapped as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/waf-guest [https://fame.so/waf-guest]

Busting Myths About Accountancy with Karl Edge, Chief People Officer and Head of Regions at KPMG UK

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett interviews Karl Edge, Chief People Officer and Head of Regions at KPMG UK, who shares his 34-year journey from a working-class background to a leadership position at one of the world's leading professional services firms. What You’ll Learn: * Why accountancy is far from boring: how it provides a foundation for working globally across any sector * How to succeed in professional services without an accounting degree or background * The modern accountant's evolving role in the age of AI and technology * Why authenticity matters: how to balance being yourself while adapting to corporate culture * How to develop leadership skills through curiosity and stepping outside your comfort zone * The power of mentorship and networking in building a successful career path * Why continuous learning and broad experiences matter more than chasing specific roles * How to transition from technical expertise to people leadership * The importance of building trust and relationships with clients beyond their professional titles * Why embracing discomfort and feedback leads to professional growth and development Karl Edge is the Chief People Officer and Head of Regions at KPMG UK, bringing over three decades of experience in chartered accountancy and business leadership. With a distinguished career that began as a chartered accountant, Karl has evolved into a strategic people leader responsible for 18,000 employees across KPMG's UK operations. Known for his passion in neuroscience and personal development, he has been instrumental in developing leadership programs and fostering a culture of continuous learning at KPMG. In this episode, Karl shares valuable insights about the evolving nature of accountancy careers, challenging common misconceptions about the profession, and offering practical advice for young professionals entering the field. His journey from a working-class background to a senior leadership position, combined with his focus on mentoring and talent development, provides particularly relevant guidance for career starters looking to build successful careers in professional services. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here [https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review]. Connect with Karl Edge * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-e-4018011/] Connect with Mark Fawcett * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfawcett] * We Are Futures [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearefuturesuk] Careers Unwrapped is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=confessions-of-a-b2b-marketer?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=building-biotechs-a-podcast-by-recruitomics-consulting] Check out our three most downloaded episodes: * From Dreams to Reality: Camila Holden-Ayala’s Journey to Senior Account Manager at Broadcast Revolution [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/18p4y4k8-dreams-to-reality-camila-holden-ayala] * How to Kickstart your Career by Asking Questions with Bhushan Sethi, Partner at Strategy& [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/r87lzlln-kickstart-your-career-bhushan-sethi] * Make Mistakes… Then Learn From Them! With Rahul Moodgal, Director of Parvus Asset Management [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/5nzjw1vn-make-mistakes-learn-rahul-moodgal] Previous guests include: Phil Harding, archaeologist from Time Team; Deborah Meaden, investor on Dragons' Den; Andrew Barnabas, musical composer; Fiona Campbell of BBC Iplayer & BBC Three; Emma Keller of Nestlé; Nick Telson-Sillett, entrepreneur, an angel investor, a podcaster, a startup mentor, and a public speaker; Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of Olio; Peter Hopwood, Global Tedx Storytelling and Speaker Coach;  If you are interested in joining Careers Unwrapped as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/waf-guest [https://fame.so/waf-guest]

Building a Career Through Trust and Culture with Will Lankston, Managing Director of Timpson Direct

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Will Lankston, Managing Director of Timpson Direct. What You’ll Learn: * How to thrive in an empowering workplace culture built on trust and kindness * Why saying "yes" to challenging opportunities accelerates career progression * The power of personality-based hiring and why cultural fit matters more than technical skills * How to navigate from entry-level to leadership while staying with one company * Why taking calculated risks early in your career creates long-term opportunities * The importance of embracing change and innovation in retail service management * How upside-down management puts front-line workers at the heart of business success * Why authenticity and willingness to learn outweigh traditional career expectations Will Lankston is the Managing Director of Timpson Direct within the Timpson Group, where he has built a remarkable 15-year career starting as a management trainee. Rising through various leadership roles, he has been instrumental in expanding the company's diverse service offerings, including vending operations and international franchising. With expertise in retail and service management, Will embodies Timpson's unique culture of trust, kindness, and empowerment through "upside-down management." In this episode, Will shares valuable insights on career development, organizational culture, and business innovation, providing practical guidance for young professionals looking to build successful careers. His journey from shop floor to senior leadership, combined with his experience in implementing cultural change and driving business growth, offers compelling lessons for those interested in retail management and corporate leadership. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here [https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review]. Connect with William Lankston * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lankston/] Connect with Mark Fawcett * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfawcett] * We Are Futures [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearefuturesuk] Careers Unwrapped is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=confessions-of-a-b2b-marketer?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=building-biotechs-a-podcast-by-recruitomics-consulting] Check out our three most downloaded episodes: * From Dreams to Reality: Camila Holden-Ayala’s Journey to Senior Account Manager at Broadcast Revolution [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/18p4y4k8-dreams-to-reality-camila-holden-ayala] * How to Kickstart your Career by Asking Questions with Bhushan Sethi, Partner at Strategy& [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/r87lzlln-kickstart-your-career-bhushan-sethi] * Make Mistakes… Then Learn From Them! With Rahul Moodgal, Director of Parvus Asset Management [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/5nzjw1vn-make-mistakes-learn-rahul-moodgal] Previous guests include: Phil Harding, archaeologist from Time Team; Deborah Meaden, investor on Dragons' Den; Andrew Barnabas, musical composer; Fiona Campbell of BBC Iplayer & BBC Three; Emma Keller of Nestlé; Nick Telson-Sillett, entrepreneur, an angel investor, a podcaster, a startup mentor, and a public speaker; Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of Olio; Peter Hopwood, Global Tedx Storytelling and Speaker Coach;  If you are interested in joining Careers Unwrapped as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/waf-guest [https://fame.so/waf-guest]

From Olympic Hopeful to CEO: Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell's Journey of Breaking Barriers

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of Ten Thousand Interns Foundation. Join them as they explore: * Rebecca's journey from elite swimming to charity leadership * The challenges of being a trailblazer in a predominantly white sport * Her decision to retire from swimming before the London 2012 Olympics * How her elite sports background has shaped her leadership style * The mission and impact of the Ten Thousand Interns Foundation Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell is a trailblazer in many fields. As the first black woman to swim for Great Britain, she made history before pivoting to the nonprofit sector. Now, as CEO of Ten Thousand Interns Foundation, she leads initiatives creating 10,000 paid internships for black talent across the UK. Her impactful work in fostering inclusion has been globally recognised, earning her spots on Forbes 30 Under 30 and The Times list of influential leaders. She is also an accomplished author of "These Heavy Backbones" and serves as a trustee of Modern Art Oxford. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here [https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review]. Connect with Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-achieng-ajulu-bushell-40434b1ab/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/raajulubushell/?hl=en] * The 10,000 Interns Foundation [https://10000internsfoundation.com/] Connect with Mark Fawcett * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfawcett] * We Are Futures [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearefuturesuk] Careers Unwrapped is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=confessions-of-a-b2b-marketer?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=building-biotechs-a-podcast-by-recruitomics-consulting] Check out our three most downloaded episodes: * From Dreams to Reality: Camila Holden-Ayala’s Journey to Senior Account Manager at Broadcast Revolution [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/18p4y4k8-dreams-to-reality-camila-holden-ayala] * How to Kickstart your Career by Asking Questions with Bhushan Sethi, Partner at Strategy& [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/r87lzlln-kickstart-your-career-bhushan-sethi] * Make Mistakes… Then Learn From Them! With Rahul Moodgal, Director of Parvus Asset Management [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/5nzjw1vn-make-mistakes-learn-rahul-moodgal] Previous guests include: Phil Harding, archaeologist from Time Team; Deborah Meaden, investor on Dragons' Den; Andrew Barnabas, musical composer; Fiona Campbell of BBC Iplayer & BBC Three; Emma Keller of Nestlé; Nick Telson-Sillett, entrepreneur, an angel investor, a podcaster, a startup mentor, and a public speaker; Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of Olio; Peter Hopwood, Global Tedx Storytelling and Speaker Coach;  If you are interested in joining Careers Unwrapped as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/waf-guest [https://fame.so/waf-guest]

How to Take Control of Your Career: A We Are Futures Roundtable Discussion

In this special roundtable episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Victoria Geary and James Rimmer, Senior Strategists at We Are Futures. Join them as they explore: * How their careers evolved from unexpected starting points * The importance of staying curious throughout your career * Why networking is simpler than you think * How to make successful career transitions * The value of trying different roles early in your career * Why it's okay not to have everything planned out Victoria Geary is a Senior Strategist at We Are Futures and a qualified Careers Leader with Level 6 RCDP certification. Her expertise spans careers education from primary to postgraduate level, with particular focus on developing strategies aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks of good careers guidance. She specialises in alternative education models, education-employer partnerships, and supporting non-linear career paths. James Rimmer is a Senior Strategist and Co-creation Lead at We Are Futures, bringing expertise in community engagement across education, charity, and sport sectors. His work focuses on empowering youth voices and driving initiatives that create meaningful impact for young people. With a background in teaching and marketing communications, he brings a unique perspective to fostering inclusive decision-making and building connections between brands and young people. Together at We Are Futures, they work to tackle issues that matter most to young people and their families, creating deep engagement between brands and future generations. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here [https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review]. Episode Resources: * James Rimmer on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameserimmer/?originalSubdomain=uk] * Victoria Geary on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicgeary/?originalSubdomain=uk] * Mark Fawcett on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfawcett?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=famehost&utm_campaign=careers-unwrapped] * We Are Futures [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearefuturesuk?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=famehost&utm_campaign=careers-unwrapped] Careers Unwrapped is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=confessions-of-a-b2b-marketer?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=building-biotechs-a-podcast-by-recruitomics-consulting] Check out our three most downloaded episodes: * From Dreams to Reality: Camila Holden-Ayala’s Journey to Senior Account Manager at Broadcast Revolution [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/18p4y4k8-dreams-to-reality-camila-holden-ayala] * How to Kickstart your Career by Asking Questions with Bhushan Sethi, Partner at Strategy& [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/r87lzlln-kickstart-your-career-bhushan-sethi] * Make Mistakes… Then Learn From Them! With Rahul Moodgal, Director of Parvus Asset Management [https://podcasts.bcast.fm/e/5nzjw1vn-make-mistakes-learn-rahul-moodgal] Previous guests include: Phil Harding, archaeologist from Time Team; Deborah Meaden, investor on Dragons' Den; Andrew Barnabas, musical composer; Fiona Campbell of BBC Iplayer & BBC Three; Emma Keller of Nestlé; Nick Telson-Sillett, entrepreneur, an angel investor, a podcaster, a startup mentor, and a public speaker; Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of Olio; Peter Hopwood, Global Tedx Storytelling and Speaker Coach;  If you are interested in joining Careers Unwrapped as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/waf-guest [https://fame.so/waf-guest]