Silverstone Technology Cluster's "Ask the Expert"

Employment Law Reform: What Employers Need to Know Now and Next

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business in the advanced engineering landscape. In this episode, we unpack the latest wave of employment law reforms and what they mean for employers today — and in the years ahead. We explore the immediate changes this April. What do these shifts mean in practice, and how should employers adjust their approach to workforce planning and risk management? Looking further ahead, we examine the more structural reforms on the horizon for 2027. Meet our Experts:Bruce Keir leads TC Group’s HR Client Advisory services for businesses across the Midlands and North, supporting clients of all sizes in getting the very best from their people. With a commercial mindset and a passion for effective people strategy, he works closely with clients across many industries to deliver forward-thinking HR solutions that support growth and long-term success. A highly accomplished HR professional, Bruce holds a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and brings hands-on experience across the full employee life cycle. His experience spans multiple sectors and business types, including FTSE 100 companies, and his approach is always tailored to the unique needs and culture of each client. Bruce is motivated by continuous learning, making a positive impact, and building strong, collaborative relationships. Whether he’s shaping high-level HR strategy or tackling people challenges on the ground, Bruce brings clarity, confidence, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping businesses, and their people, thrive. In his own time, you'll find Bruce spending time with his wife and three young children and watching or taking part in as much sport as possible. He also serves as TC’s resident quizmaster. Simon Demaid is a Partner and Employment Law specialist at Howes Percival LLP, and leads the firm’s Milton Keynes office, supporting a strong portfolio of high profile local clients. A well-known and respected figure in the Milton Keynes professional community, he is also a member of the MK Business Leaders Partnership. Simon advises businesses on all aspects of employment law, from day-to-day issues such as disciplinary matters, grievances, ill health and discrimination, through to the employment aspects of complex restructures, acquisitions and outsourcing arrangements. Known for his proactive, commercial and pragmatic approach, he also has a particular focus on disability discrimination claims and regularly manages and advocates in Employment Tribunal proceedings on behalf of his clients. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠TC Group⁠⁠⁠.TC Group’s an Accountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm of business advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice and strategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than the standard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. Through our UK-wide network, we offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialist business growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. With TC Group by your side, no matter how complex your financial situation may be, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate it successfully. Recorded and produced by the Pod Collective

What Can Companies Do to Attract Great Talent?

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite seasoned professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape. In this episode, I'm joined by Jason Parrott from The Collective Network to unpack what it really takes to attract great talent in today’s candidate‑driven market. We discuss current hiring trends, rising contract rates, sector shifts across defence, automotive, and motorsport, and what recent redundancies mean for both companies and candidates. Meet our Expert: Jason Parrott. Director and Co-founder of the Collective Network. Jason specialises in contract and permanent recruitment within the automotive, motorsport and sub-contract manufacturing sectors, with specific knowledge of staff supply to Formula One teams, suppliers and manufacturers. Jason has over 20 years’ experience in motorsport as a competitive driver in the World European and British karting championships before setting up and managing his own team to compete in the British and European kart championships. Jason has since transferred his extensive motorsport and high-performance engineering knowledge into a successful recruitment career, providing expert staff to the motorsport and automotive industries. “I believe having both a passion and knowledge of the industry gives me a great understanding of the products, applications and, most importantly, the people that are required to succeed,” he says. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠TC Group⁠⁠. TC Group’s an Accountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm of business advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice and strategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than the standard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. Through our UK-wide network, we offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialist business growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. With TC Group by your side, no matter how complex your financial situation may be, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate it successfully. Recorded and produced by The Pod Collective.

Better Innovation Starts with Understanding Your Whole Ecosystem

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite seasoned professionalsand industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape. In this episode I'm joined by Benn Klewpatinond, Founder andInnovation Partner at Inond. Together, we talk about why innovation often fails whenorganisations focus too narrowly on the product, and how understanding the wider stakeholder ecosystem can completely change the outcome. Benn explains what the “stakeholder value chain” reallymeans, why outcomes matter more than assumptions, and how approaches like Jobs To Be Done and Outcome‑Driven Innovation help teams build things peoplegenuinely need. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠TC Group⁠⁠. TC Group’s anAccountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm of business advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice and strategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than thestandard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. Through our UK-wide network, we offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialist business growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. With TC Group by your side, no matter how complex your financial situation may be, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate it successfully. Recorded and produced by The Pod Collective.

The Business of Podcasting: What Really Makes a Show Work

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite seasoned professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape. In this special episode, Hugo and Jack from The Pod Collective step out from behind the scenes and join Jeannie behind the mic. We dive into what businesses often misunderstand about starting a podcast today, why production alone isn’t enough, and how brands should be thinking about ROI in 2026. We also talk about the biggest mistakes companies make when they try to DIY their podcast strategy, the opportunities they see for established brands, and what an end‑to‑end podcast partnership really looks like. Plus, Hugo and Jack open up about their own journey — why they started The Pod Collective, the gap they wanted to fill, and the lessons they’ve learned building a podcast agency from scratch. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠TC Group⁠⁠. TC Group’s an Accountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm of business advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice and strategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than the standard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. Through our UK-wide network, we offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialist business growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. With TC Group by your side, no matter how complex your financial situation may be, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate it successfully. Recorded and produced by The Pod Collective.

The India Opportunity: Brothers by Choice, Partners in Growth

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite seasoned professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape. In this episode of Ask The Expert, Jeannie speaks with Samit Naik and Riccardo Paterni of Synergy Pathways about why India is one of the most exciting growth markets for UK advanced engineering and technology businesses. They explore India’s rapid expansion, strong demand across sectors, and what it really takes to succeed — from trust and cultural understanding to long-term, relationship-led strategy. Meet our experts: Riccardo Paterni- Founder of Synergy Pathways My motto is "Growth Through Knowledge for Action &Action for Knowledge - Stimulating Critical Thinking, Facilitating Practical Action!" I define myself as an 'ideas and practices implementation entrepreneur' focusing on concretely contributing to fulfil the potential of growth and continuous improvement of small to mid sized organizations. I do that by identifying, understanding and releasing the real potential of people from a cross cultural global perspective: stimulate the unleashing of creativity and genuine innovation. All of this driven by an aware sense of authenticity and self-knowledge practiced on a day to day basis.  Connecting companies and people across countries and continents to progress together has become a way to value and constantly develop my know-how and my experience.  My expertise in particular focuses on unique methods of organizational and people development, for example I co-founded MindUP enhancement Psychology ® specialised with an innovative “Data Driven Performance Focused” method to boost performance in sport and organizational settings. I also co-founded and manage RPM an Italian Motorsport formal network made of about 30 SMEs companies across Italy that characterize the Italian Motorsport Industry. This leads me to focus also on knowledge transfer from the motorsport industry to and from other fields such of automotive, aviation, aerospace, biotechnology and others. I am an author and speaker and conferences facilitator these dynamics.    Samit S. Naik- Founder of Synergy Pathways I am an innovation entrepreneur known for my expertise and leadership in strategy, innovation and operations. With a background in business and technology, I excel in driving international organisation’s business development growth and delivering impactful solutions. Passionate about fostering international collaborations, I focus on Niche Tech Transfers, trade and manufacturing solutions in India for European companies in the field of Defence, Aerospace, Food , Automotive & Motorsports. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠TC Group⁠⁠. TC Group’s an Accountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm of business advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice and strategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than the standard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. Through our UK-wide network, we offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialist business growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. With TC Group by your side, no matter how complex your financial situation may be, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate it successfully.