Places She Shapes

Places She Shapes LIVE at Moore Kingston Smith

Our second live podcast episode is here. Recorded at Moore Kingston Smith in collaboration with Oyster’s Leading from the Front, and with the support of JAC Project Management, this special episode brings together an inspiring group of women shaping places, projects, businesses, and communities. Featuring guest speakers Michelle Lloyd Jones from Ascent Flight Training, Zoe Moss from Cast Group, Ali Wibroe and Annelies Kruidenier from Oyster and Leading from the Front, and Franky Rousell from Jolie, the conversation captures the energy of the room, the questions from the audience, and the connections that carried on long after the microphones were off. A huge thank you to Anna Matveeva and the team at Moore Kingston Smith for hosting the evening so warmly, and to everyone who joined us live. Listen now, watch the full episode on YouTube, and stay connected with Places She Shapes on TikTok and Instagram at @PlacesSheShapes.

The Places She Shapes Podcast LIVE at WSP

On 25 February 2026, for the first time, Places She Shapes stepped out from behind the microphone at Abbey Road Studios. Recorded in front of a live audience of 150, the evening brought together a group of brilliant, lively, curious people who all believe in the power of amplifying inspiring women’s voices. Today, we are delighted to be able to share that live episode with you. What made this episode different? 🤝 An introduction to the evening and podcast - by host Zoe Smeeth 🌟An incredibly honest opening speech from Laura Collins outlining her 20-year career 🎤 Powerful conversations with Claire Gott, Michelle (Mitch) Lloyd Jones, Amanda Salt, and Diana Pego on how they are shaping their industries and leadership 💬 Audience questions

Michelle “Mitch” Lloyd Jones: Against All Odds, Into the Sky

Michelle “Mitch” Lloyd Jones knew from the moment her father took her to air shows that she wanted to be a pilot. But when she first applied to the RAF, women had only just been accepted as aircrew - and she was offered a commission as an air traffic controller instead. She didn’t stop there. Mitch reapplied, was selected to be a fighter pilot, and went on to fly the Tornado F3, deployed to exercises across the globe. After two years on squadron, she found her real passion teaching as a qualified flying instructor. Today, she trains generations of fast jet pilots and works with Ascent Flight Training on the Texan aircraft as part of the UK’s military flying training system. In this episode, Mitch shares the sliding door moments, the challenges she overcame as one of the first female fighter pilot instructors in the UK, and what it really takes to step into the cockpit when the odds are against you. Her story is unforgettable. 🎧 Now streaming on all podcast platforms - don’t miss it: https://pod.link/1812292057 [https://substack.com/redirect/b5bd849e-d809-4640-a57b-9cddea1f6d22?j=eyJ1IjoiNjF3YXMyIn0.P8GrN1b7j-csdsEM6Mdjg3ATai9-t98yoK9b9G853tk] You can now watch full Season 2 episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlacessheShapes [https://substack.com/redirect/975103e3-6ec0-46e0-8ba1-f428a45b343d?j=eyJ1IjoiNjF3YXMyIn0.P8GrN1b7j-csdsEM6Mdjg3ATai9-t98yoK9b9G853tk] ✨ Stay connected - follow us on TikTok and Instagram: Places She Shapes [https://open.substack.com/users/335451619-places-she-shapes?utm_source=mentions]

Una Barac: Trusting Your Gut When the Path Isn’t Obvious

What does it take to leave everything behind, start over in a new country, and still chase your dream? Una Barac grew up in the former Yugoslavia before moving to the UK in the 1990s. She began her career at Foster and Partners, working on landmark projects across London, New York, and Sydney. But despite her training as an architect, Una realised her real passion was interior design - creating spaces that are not just iconic, but functional and human. One gut decision sparked by a single email became her sliding door moment, setting her on the path to founding Atellior, her international design studio. Today, with offices in London and Croatia, Una and her team specialise in luxury, hospitality, and residential projects, shaping everything from historic restorations to contemporary new builds. In this episode, Una reflects on resilience, instinct, and the importance of understanding both the client and the end user when designing spaces that truly inspire. Her story is proof that sometimes the boldest designs begin with the boldest decisions. 🎧 Now streaming on all podcast platforms - don’t miss it: https://pod.link/1812292057 [https://pod.link/1812292057] You can now watch full Season 2 episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlacessheShapes [https://www.youtube.com/@PlacessheShapes] ✨ Stay connected - follow us on TikTok and Instagram: Places She Shapes

Claire Gott: Saying Yes, Shaping Everything

Sometimes one decision changes everything. For Claire, it was saying yes to a school trip to Tanzania. Growing up shy but competitive, she found her spark on the netball court, and that trip opened her eyes to a career where she could make a real difference. That single “yes” set her on a path from co-founding a charity in Cameroon, which, 15 years later, continues to deliver schools, medical centres, and clean water - to being awarded an MBE by the then Prince Charles. Today, she’s the UK Head of Structures at WSP, leading hundreds of engineers on some of the country’s most complex projects. In this episode, Claire reflects on the sliding door moments, the setbacks that became turning points, and what it really takes to lead with ambition, resilience, and purpose. Her story proves just how much one person can shape the world around them.