From Civil Engineer to Certification Pioneer: Richard Pharro’s Unconventional Career Shift

From Civil Engineer to Certification Pioneer: Richard Pharro’s Unconventional Career Shift

Most careers take unpredictable turns, but what if embracing the winding road could unlock your true potential? In this compelling episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG, shares the surprising stories behind his diverse journey from civil engineering abroad to transforming professional certification on a global scale.   Discover how working across cultures, navigating unexpected challenges, and staying curious shaped a leader who thrives outside the line of expectation.  We break down the importance of cognitive diversity, collaborative leadership, and the human skills that AI can’t replicate; traits that will be more vital than ever in the future of work. Richard reveals invaluable lessons learned through bold projects like the London Docklands and how a simple swimming pool plan became his defining moment in making a meaningful difference.

The Future of HR: Agile, Fractional, and Human-Centric Strategies with Nebel Crowhurst

In this episode, Nebel Crowhurst shares her unconventional journey into HR and explores how working with business agility helps people teams become more proactive, responsive and human.  She also discusses the rise of fractional leadership, how it is reshaping organizational strategy and why balancing technology with genuine human connection matters more than ever.  Discover why starting small, learning fast and building on what works can create real value for you and your teams.  ----more---- Nebel is a strategic people expert who helps organisations build workplaces where people, culture and performance thrive. She brings clarity, confidence and commercial rigour to people strategy, partnering with CEOs and leadership teams to design and deliver approaches that unlock potential, strengthen culture and accelerate growth, particularly during periods of transformation and scale. Her work enables businesses to perform at their best and achieve stronger, more sustainable valuations. Nebel's experience spans global brands and high-growth, private equity-backed businesses, including Virgin, River Island, Roche and Reward Gateway, where she led people strategy through significant growth moments. Recognised on HR Magazine’s Most Influential List (2021–2025), Nebel is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a respected voice on the intersection of people, leadership and business growth. As Fractional Chief People Officer, she brings this expertise across a portfolio of organisations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nebel-crowhurst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nebel-crowhurst/]

The Unexpected Power of Being Nosy: How Curiosity Shapes a Unique Career in Agility with Dawn Newman

Join Niamh Trundle and Dawn Constance Newman as they explore the power of curiosity in shaping a unique career.   From music and theatre to agile workplaces, Dawn's journey is a testament to resilience and embracing individuality. Discover how her hyper-mobility disorder led to revolutionary self-care strategies and how being told she'd "never get paid to talk" fuelled her drive for change.   Perfect for lifelong learners and change-makers, this episode is a masterclass in authenticity and finding joy in imperfection. Embrace your weird and shape your future with Dawn's inspiring insights.

Lifelong Learning and Employee Ownership with John Beattie

In this conversation, John discusses his journey in family learning, the importance of finding fulfilment in work, and the privilege of being able to choose a career that aligns with personal values. He shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the significance of mentorship, and the role of feedback in professional growth. John emphasises the need for a culture of trust and transparency in the workplace and explains the concept of employee ownership as a model that benefits both employees and businesses. ----more---- John Beattie is the Director of Membership and Operations at the Employee Ownership Association (EOA), where he champions people‑powered business, and helps businesses unlock the benefits of employee ownership. With a career spanning education, culture, community learning and digital transformation, John brings a consistent passion for curiosity, communication and creating opportunities for others. Born and raised in the North East of England, he is known for his warm, human approach, his talent for making complex ideas accessible, and the joyful stories that follow him through his work, from widening participation to advocating for the power of employee‑owned businesses. * Links to include: https://employeeownership.co.uk/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployeeownership.co.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfallon%40agilebusiness.org%7C8cd6c32077f24fb0178608de5dd5366c%7Cb87dce38f8ec42e28ca470955f13fac2%7C1%7C0%7C639051367514203861%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JzQFYQJq0kn%2F6p75hS8HSOdMmX6oi8n7mOhrQRsgnt4%3D&reserved=0] * Campaign for Learning: www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campaign-for-learning.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfallon%40agilebusiness.org%7C8cd6c32077f24fb0178608de5dd5366c%7Cb87dce38f8ec42e28ca470955f13fac2%7C1%7C0%7C639051367514237151%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4GW79FzVpVj5MJpSpO%2Ftz9AF7guvkV7bt5U2b4%2B37zk%3D&reserved=0] * National Centre for Family Learning: https://nationalcentreforfamilylearning.org/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalcentreforfamilylearning.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfallon%40agilebusiness.org%7C8cd6c32077f24fb0178608de5dd5366c%7Cb87dce38f8ec42e28ca470955f13fac2%7C1%7C0%7C639051367514256211%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NDHIhZW92CSAKKAH4tRYmhpORq4pyg0w2zL5TeLkRx4%3D&reserved=0] * Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books: www.sevenstories.org.uk [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sevenstories.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfallon%40agilebusiness.org%7C8cd6c32077f24fb0178608de5dd5366c%7Cb87dce38f8ec42e28ca470955f13fac2%7C1%7C0%7C639051367514275379%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ftiNHVG86P49S%2FM2XHJiNrv7xz1hXvsCjyI%2FDmXUVYA%3D&reserved=0]

Agitating Change: Reframing Resistance and Making Sense of Transformation with Ket Patel

In this episode of The Agile Diaries, Niamh Trundle speaks with Ket Patel, founder of Change Agitators and co-creator of The Change Chair. Ket shares insights from two decades in transformation, unpacking why organisations often misdiagnose “resistance” and how reframing it as sense-making creates healthier, more successful change.   They explore the relationship between agility and change, the importance of psychological safety, and how leaders can cultivate space, framing, and accountability for productive conflict. Ket also reflects on learning culture, the future of change professionals, and how scepticism, humility, humour, and collaboration will define effective change leadership in the years ahead.  ----more---- Ket is the founder of Change Agitators, an organisational change and coaching consultancy that helps remove the friction senior leaders often feel when implementing change. He is a Change Management Institute Accredited Master Practitioner with a specialism in building internal organisational capability and is also an Agile Change Management coach. He has over 20 years' experience leading operating model redesign, technology enabled transformation and leadership development programmes focused on culture and change capability. Ket along with his team of Agitators bring their pragmatic and honest mindset and their years of hands-on experience to shape the behaviours and process that will help your organisation to become truly adaptable to change.  https://www.change-agitators.com/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.change-agitators.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfallon%40agilebusiness.org%7C66c7401d3cd1476eff0e08de31817b14%7Cb87dce38f8ec42e28ca470955f13fac2%7C1%7C0%7C639002629390576989%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6zyTta3lQ4Ee4BfQr%2BsFWrdssnhX%2Bs0ywp9LJLbUetQ%3D&reserved=0]  ket@change-agitators.com [ket@change-agitators.com]