From courseware to careers: How skills strategy is reinventing L&D | 011

From spreadsheets to strategy: making workforce planning human | 014

Spreadsheets, headcount forecasts and workforce models don’t exactly scream “riveting listening”. But when workforce planning is done right, it can be one of the most powerful levers an organisation has — and that’s exactly what this episode uncovers. In this conversation, David Edwards, author of The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook, takes us behind the scenes of how some of the world’s most complex organisations — including RBS, NatWest Group, and Ericsson — have turned workforce planning from a once-a-year numbers exercise into a true business advantage. David shares his proudest real-world wins, unpacks why workforce planning must be both strategic and human, and explains how aligning HR, finance and operations can unlock smarter decisions, stronger capability, and a more resilient workforce. We also explore what workforce planning looks like in an age of AI and skills disruption — and why leaders who get this right now will be miles ahead tomorrow. If you’ve ever felt that workforce planning was important but hard to bring to life, this episode will change the way you think about it.

Behind the buckets: How the KFC Foundation empowers its people | 013

When you think of KFC, you probably picture the Colonel, that finger-lickin’ chicken, and a brand recognised across the globe. But behind those iconic red-and-white buckets is a workforce of thousands—diverse, hardworking people from every walk of life, serving their communities in restaurants all around the world. At the heart of it all is the KFC Foundation, a powerful force for good, helping team members build brighter futures through education and support. In this episode, we sit down with Emma Horn, Executive Director of the KFC Foundation. Emma first connected with our host through a shared partnership with the GED Testing Service and quickly discovered a shared vision: empowering people through education, reskilling, and unlocking potential. Under Emma’s leadership, the KFC Foundation is delivering life-changing programs for restaurant employees and their families—everything from scholarships and emergency aid to personal development and career advancement.

Leading through AI change: Lessons from financial services | 012

In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Katharine Wooller, a strategic voice in the UK’s financial services sector, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills landscape. As the Chief Strategist for Financial Services at Softcat, Katharine brings a sharp, pragmatic perspective on what the sector needs next—from digital capability to critical thinking—and the risks of leaving legacy mindsets unchallenged. We unpack current insights on the widening skills gap and examine the practical implications for talent development, organisational resilience and future readiness in one of the most regulated and fast-evolving industries in the world. While the conversation centres on financial services, the lessons are widely applicable, because when it comes to digital evolution, this sector is often the canary in the coal mine, offering early insights every leader can learn from. Whether you’re in HR, transformation, or workforce planning, this episode offers valuable insight into how financial institutions can activate their people, not just their technology.

From courseware to careers: How skills strategy is reinventing L&D | 011

For years, corporate learning has been synonymous withmandatory training modules and bloated course libraries. But what happens when L&D stops being a box-ticking function — and starts driving real workforce transformation In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Richard Pedley, former head of talent experience at Fidelity, to unpack how the skills agenda is redefining the future of learning and development. With nearly two decades of experience in talent strategy, Richard has led one of the most ambitious internal skills transformations in recent memory, mapping capabilities across 10,000 employees and turning insight into action. He argues that the first step is treating people like the critical business assets they are — pointing out that most companies know more about the chair an employee sits on than the skills and potential of the person sitting in it. It’s time to flip that script. If you’re an HR or L&D leader tired of chasing course completions and ready to start solving real business problems, this conversation will light the path forward. https://withyouwithme.com/podcasts/

A brain-based approach to high performance | 010

What really drives high performance in the workplace? Is it leadership? Strategy? Or something deeper — like the way our brains are wired to work? In this episode of Employee Activation, we’re joined by Sue Langley, a global expert in the science of human behaviour and workplace performance. As the founder of the Langley Group, Sue helps organisations apply neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology to create cultures where employees don’t just work — they thrive. Sue shares some powerful lessons on what happens when HR leaders use these individual insights to build more engaged, productive, and adaptable teams. From enabling greater leadership effectiveness to sharing her recipe for workforce resilience, Sue shows us why practical, science-backed strategies are often the missing puzzle piece for organisations struggling to unlock the full potential of their people. https://withyouwithme.com/podcasts/