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In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle speaks with John Davidson, CEO of Almond Housing Association, about leadership, culture change, career progression, and the realities of stepping into a chief executive role after a predecessor who had led the organisation for 26 years.

John shares his unconventional route into leadership, leaving school at 17 with limited qualifications before finding his way into social housing, progressing through management and director roles, and eventually becoming CEO. Along the way, he reflects on the lessons he has learned about leadership, organisational culture, and the responsibility that comes with leading an organisation.

• The challenge of succeeding a long-serving CEO who had led the organisation for 26 years.
• Why culture change became John's primary focus during his first six years as CEO.
• Building environments based on trust, empowerment and flexibility.
• Introducing a nine-day fortnight and hybrid working at Almond Housing Association.
• The difference between director-level leadership and being the person ultimately accountable as CEO.
• John's non-traditional route into leadership after leaving school at 17.
• The role mentors, coaches and trusted peers have played in his development.
• The future challenges facing housing associations, including regeneration, affordability and organisational change.

"Work is a big part of your life. It's not the most important part of your life, but it's a big part of it." - John Davidson

John Davidson is CEO of Almond Housing Association in Livingston, Scotland. Having worked his way up through housing officer, management and director roles, he now leads an organisation committed to providing quality housing and community-focused services while driving continuous improvement and modernisation.

Connect with John:

• LinkedIn
• Email: john.davidson@almondha.org.uk
• Website: https://www.almondha.org.uk

Barbra Carlisle is an executive coach, leadership facilitator and host of The Unlikely Executive podcast. She works with CEOs, senior leaders and ambitious professionals who want to lead with confidence, navigate complexity and create cultures where people thrive.

Barbra specialises in:

• Executive coaching
• Leadership development
• Team development
• Psychometrics and leadership profiling
• Coaching and mentoring skills programmes

To learn more about Barbra's work:

• Website: www.gleecoaching.co.uk
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbracarlisle/

Season: Leadership Impact Scorecard Series | Host: Barbra Carlisle FCIPD, MCiOH | Duration: approx. 8 minutes

There is a conversation happening in your organisation right now that somebody needs to have and nobody is having. In this episode, Barbra tackles why leaders in the built environment avoid difficult conversations, why this is a capability gap rather than a courage gap, and what authority actually looks like in practice. Drawing on VitalSmarts research showing seven working days wasted for every crucial conversation avoided, and Google’s Project Aristotle findings on psychological safety, this episode lays out what needs to change and how.

• The three conversations leaders avoid most: performance, upward challenge, and team dynamics
• VitalSmarts research: the average employee wastes seven working days per avoided crucial conversation
• Why avoidance is a capability problem, not a courage problem
• What authority actually looks like: consistency, clarity, and fairness
• Google’s Project Aristotle finding on psychological safety and what it actually means (it is not being soft)
• How holding people accountable makes people want to stay, not leave
• CIPD research linking clear expectations and honest feedback to higher retention

Leadership authority, difficult conversations at work, accountability in management, psychological safety, performance management, construction sector leadership, housing management, team accountability, manager confidence, workplace conflict resolution

Find out where you stand across all four pillars of leadership impact. Take the free Leadership Impact Scorecard: Leadership Impact

• Website: www.gleecoaching.co.uk
• Email: barbra@gleecoaching.com
• LinkedIn: Barbra Carlisle
• Book a 30-minute conversation: https://zcal.co/barbracarlisle/30min

In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle speaks with strategic construction leader and entrepreneur Sarah Thorne.

With more than 20 years in construction and project delivery, Sarah explains why project management is about far more than processes and timelines.

She reveals how stakeholder relationships, listening skills and strategic thinking create successful outcomes across industries.

Sarah also shares the personal journey that led her to discover her true purpose. Through her work with Thorne Solutions, Engage to Action, Women Leaders UK and MumPod, she is helping people thrive at every stage of life, from inspiring primary school children to consider STEM careers through to supporting mothers returning to work.

The conversation explores imposter syndrome, hidden disabilities, mentoring, leadership styles and why honesty, collaboration and trust remain at the heart of effective leadership.

• Project management is fundamentally about people, not paperwork.
• Transferable skills can unlock opportunities across multiple industries.
• Purpose often emerges when seemingly unrelated activities are viewed together.
• Early exposure to STEM careers can transform aspirations for young people.
• Organisations must do more to support women returning from maternity leave.
• Good mentors challenge thinking rather than simply provide reassurance.
• Leaders can be both compassionate and accountable.
• Visionary leaders need to balance creativity with clarity and structure.
• Honesty and psychological safety are critical for high-performing teams.
• Inclusion starts with practical action rather than policy statements.

Sarah Thorne is a strategic leader in construction and the founder of Thorne Solutions. Alongside her project delivery work, she is co-founder of MumPod, an organisation creating dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing mothers.

She also supports young people through Engage to Action, serves as a trustee with Women Leaders UK and champions inclusion, resilience and people-centred leadership across multiple sectors.

Follow Sarah Thorne on LinkedIn to learn more about project management, leadership, inclusion and MumPod.Sarah Thorne | LinkedIn

Barbra Carlisle is an executive coach, leadership trainer and host of The Unlikely Executive podcast.

Through coaching, leadership development programmes and practical training, Barbra helps leaders strengthen their leadership identity, improve communication and create cultures where people can thrive.

Whether you're:

• Stepping into a leadership role for the first time
• Leading organisational change
• Developing your senior leadership team
• Looking for executive coaching support
• Building leadership capability across your organisation

🌐 Website: www.gleecoaching.co.uk

💼 LinkedIn: Barbra Carlisle

🎙️ Podcast: The Unlikely Executive

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Unlikely Executive for honest conversations with inspiring leaders who are challenging convention, building confidence and creating impact in their organisations and communities.

Season: Leadership Impact Scorecard Series | Host: Barbra Carlisle FCIPD, MCiOH | Duration: approx. 8 minutes

 Summary

Promoting your best technical performer into a management role and expecting them to lead effectively is one of the most common and costly mistakes in housing, construction and engineering. In this episode, Barbra examines why the expert-to-leader transition fails so often, what the Centre for Creative Leadership's research tells us about the 40% failure rate for new leaders, and the three fundamental shifts that nobody prepares promoted managers for: from doing to enabling, from answering to asking, and from being respected for knowledge to being respected for judgement.

 What You Will Learn

- Why the skills that earn a promotion are not the skills the management role demands
- The Centre for Creative Leadership finding that 40% of new leaders fail within 18 months
- CIPD data showing only 27% of UK managers receive formal training before or shortly after appointment
- The three shifts every new leader must make: doing to enabling, answering to asking, knowledge to judgement
- How a contracts manager in construction transformed his team's performance by changing one question
- What organisations that handle this transition well actually do differently

 Key Topics

Leadership transition, expert to leader, new manager development, technical to management, first-time manager, construction leadership, housing sector management, people leadership, CIPD management training, leadership development

 Take the Free Assessment

Find out where you stand across all four pillars of leadership impact. Take the free Leadership Impact Scorecard:Leadership Impact

 Connect with Barbra

- Website: www.gleecoaching.co.uk
- Email: barbra@gleecoaching.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbra-carlisle-gleecoaching/
- Book a 30-minute conversation: https://zcal.co/barbracarlisle/30min

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In this episode of The Unlikely Executive Podcast, Barbra Carlisle speaks with Claire Brown, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend, about what it really takes to lead sustainability in construction, housing and the built environment.

From net zero housing targets to retrofit strategy in UK homes, Claire shares practical insights on how to influence stakeholders, communicate complex sustainability issues, and drive change across large organisations.

If you’re a leader in construction, engineering, housing, or sustainability, this episode is packed with real-world strategies you can start using immediately.

• What sustainability leadership actually looks like inside global construction firms
• How to influence senior stakeholders who don’t care about “carbon”
• Why language and communication are critical in driving change
• The real meaning of retrofit in UK housing and why it matters
• Tackling energy efficiency, heating systems and net zero targets
• How to handle resistance, conflict and pushback in complex organisations
• Leadership lessons from working in the public sector and large estates (including policing)
• Why listening is your most powerful leadership skill
• Balancing ambition, career growth and personal wellbeing
• Practical advice for anyone starting a career in sustainability or the built environment

Claire Brown is a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend, working across major UK retrofit and housing projects.

Her work spans:

• Delivering sustainability in the built environment
• Advising on energy efficiency and carbon reduction
• Supporting housing providers with retrofit programmes
• Leadership in professional sustainability networks

She also sits on boards, contributes to industry groups, and has recently submitted her PhD focused on heating and cooling demand in UK social housing.

• Lead sustainability initiatives with more confidence
• Influence difficult stakeholders without conflict
• Improve energy efficiency in housing or construction
• Build a more resilient, forward-thinking organisation
• Develop your leadership style in complex environments

If you’re a business leader in construction, engineering or housing and want to:

• Lead decisively under pressure
• Build a team that takes ownership and initiative
• Handle difficult conversations and challenges with confidence

👉 Join my programme: www.gleecoaching.co.uk
👉 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbracarlisle
📩 Or message me directly to explore coaching and leadership development

If you found this episode valuable:

• ✅ Follow / Subscribe to The Unlikely Executive Podcast
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• 💬 Leave a review — it helps more leaders find this content

Learie Gonsalves, the Director of Blackbird Property Surveyors, shares his journey armed with his one CSE in art to owning a successful property surveying firm for over 10 years. He shares the challenges of not seeing people like him in work, but talks about the role of great managers in helping you dream big. Hear about why running is so important to him now and why he runs to support Prostrate Cancer. Learie's story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of balance in work and life.

  Are you truly in control of your career — or letting others define your path? This episode of The Unlikely Executive explores what it means to take ownership of your destiny as a leader.

  🔑 In this episode, you'll learn:

  • How to take deliberate control of your career direction

  • The mindset needed to lead your own journey

  • Overcoming fear and self-doubt in leadership decisions

  • Why the best leaders are intentional about their growth

  📌 About The Unlikely Executive:

  Hosted by Barbra Carlisle, executive coach and founder of Glee Coaching.

  🔗 Work with Barbra: https://www.gleecoaching.co.uk

  #LeadershipMindset #CareerDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #TheUnlikelyExecutive

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Tim Walder shares his journey in the aviation industry, emphasizing the importance of career purpose and emotional intelligence. He discusses career progression, leadership, mentorship, challenges, resilience, and retirement, highlighting the need for a sense of purpose in life after retirement.

Takeaways

• Career purpose
• Emotional intelligence

Chapters

• 00:00 Passion for Aviation
• 05:55 Leadership and Mentorship
• 24:29 Challenges and Resilience
• 30:12 Retirement and Purpose

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Chief Arcadian. People Champion. Passionate about sustainable transformation and finding solutions to global challenges. Playing his part in helping to preserve the planet and improve quality of life.

Alan was born in Chester in the United Kingdom. He has lived and worked abroad in Asia, but home now is in Warrington, just over half an hour away from where he grew up. He’s married to Tracy and has four children – who are now (young) adults – and is a ‘retired’ amateur singer and lover of all kinds of music.

Alan was appointed Chief Executive Officer in May 2023, and leads Arcadis with a clear vision: to create a blueprint for a sustainable future. Under Alan’s leadership, Arcadis has positioned itself at the forefront of global efforts to address climate change, accelerate clean energy transition and build resilient, livable cities. Today he works with and leads more than 36,000 talented and gifted Arcadians in over 30 countries, all dedicated to improving quality of life.

For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://www.arcadis.com/en-gb

Guest's LinkedIn: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/alan-brookes-703a3114

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://careerready.org.uk/

Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-spackman-3bb19a82/?originalSubdomain=uk

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Appointed as Chief Executive, Liz Mayes brings dynamic leadership and a forward-thinking perspective to Connect Northumberland. Her extensive experience in industry and regional development positions her well to drive the organisation's strategic vision. Liz's passion for diversity and equality of opportunity is set to elevate Connect Northumberland's impact, ensuring it continues to address the evolving needs of the county.

For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://www.connectnorthumberland.org/

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://www.harrogategroup.co.uk/

Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-wright-bb024516a/

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Eric is a man on a mission. Having lived in the UK since 2011 he has seen the effects of 'left behind towns' those places once celebrated now forgotten. An academic and a place maker Eric is committed to making universities and places better through research, engagement and teaching. Specialist knowledge in left-behind places, civic engagement, 'third mission', impact, and academia as a profession linked to a wider system of professions.

• Founder and editor-in-chief of the open-access journal, Civic Sociology, applying sociological insights within policy, higher education and public engagement contexts.
• Winner of the 2019 Bennett Prospect Policy Prize for proposal to 'move the knowledge economy' to left-behind regions.
• Currently researching relationships between different 'civic ecologies' - place-based systems of business, government, learning and other fields - and how to make these more socially generative.
• Established the social enterprise CivED CIC to pursue this work through business and policy engagement, including an exciting project to redevelop an historic arcade in Southport for hybrid working.

For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://www.arcade-project.com/

Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-lybeck/

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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With over 35 years of experience in Financial Services including Fintech, Pensions and Investment, Steve is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people maximise their retirement. He is the Managing Director of Pension Potential, a digital at-retirement guidance and advice solution that empowers members and employees to make informed decisions about their retirement. He is a regular writer and speaker on intergenerational working, retirement, and older worker business management issues, and has published several business books about intergenerational managment and inclusive culture. He is committed to developing an inclusive culture in the workplace, where people of all ages and backgrounds can thrive and contribute.

For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://www.puntersouthall.com/

Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbutler/?originalSubdomain=uk

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Trisha is the CE of CRASH, The UK’s construction industry charity supporting Adult Homelessness and Adult and Children’s hospices with vital construction projects. She joined CRASH on 1st May 2024 after 19 years in the hospice sector having held various management roles but most recently as Director of Business Development, Operations and Performance. Trisha has a wealth of experience across a vast number of business disciplines including Income generation, commissioning, governance, risk management and has the experience of two charity mergers. With a background and qualification in Finance she has the ability to understand and explain numbers to people at all levels.

Prior to working in the charitable sector Trisha worked in the corporate sector in varying management positions including Financial Controller.

For more information, please visit:

Crash Company Website: http://www.crash.org.uk/

Crash Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/CRASH-Charity-100084249190718/

Trisha Pickersgill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crash-charity/

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Tree joined Charity IT Leaders in March 2019 and was appointed as their first CEO in May 2020, bringing over 16 years’ experience of working in the charity and NFP sector as a fundraiser and marketer.

She is hugely proud of the work CITL does to support charities and NFPs to get the best outcomes from their investment in digital technology, to empower and enable current and emerging charity technology leaders, and increasingly, to advocate for and on behalf of the sector.

She is openly autistic and ADHD (AuDHD), and is passionate about supporting neurodivergence and inclusion in employment and increasing opportunities and accessibility in the workplace. Both her children are neurodivergent, and she is committed to making the world a more welcoming, accessible place that enables them and their peers to achieve their full potential.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Jayne Hughes is the founder and driving force behind Amy and Friends, a UK based charity dedicated to supporting children and families affected by Cockayne Syndrome and other DNA repair disorders.

Amy and Friends is inspired by Amy, Jayne’s daughter who courageously lived with the condition. Amy and Friends was formed in 2007 to provide desperately needed support, research and advocacy for families around the world navigating life with these rare, life-limiting conditions.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Mark is the founder and Director of Shared Assets, a community interest company that works with communities, landowners, researchers and activists to create a more just land system. He works to create a socially just future by supporting practical projects that build new relationships between people and the land.

For more information, please visit:

Shared Assets: https://linktr.ee/sharedassets?fbclid=IwY2xjawMdjzRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0b2hQSTQxNlhYOUd1a2NQAR55FCwVeShf2G1mI3CCZDUoFPX6tuxAhdRxdpLkfNp7dF4V-xvlAlS5vZQ8tQ_aem_vVwv0HKlMueEFqmxp6PV1g

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

If you are kind enough to leave a review, please do let Barbra know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at barbra@gleecoaching.com

If you enjoyed this one please hit Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of The Unlikely Executive is released.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

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Sophie joined Little Village as CEO in February 2021 after spending over twenty years in the social sector including as the founding CEO of City Year UK, a charity enabling young people to tackle inequality through doing a year of voluntary service in schools and as Deputy CEO of the Private Equity Foundation (now Impetus-PEF).

Most recently she was Managing Director of Trustees Unlimited, a B-Corporation focused on strengthening and diversifying charity boards.

Sophie was the Chair of Trustees at Little Village from 2018 until September 2020 and was previously Co-Chair and Co-Founder of Generation Change, and a Trustee of the Royal Voluntary Service. She was awarded an MBE for services to charity in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours!

For more information, please visit:

LinkedIn: sophielivingstone

Website: https://littlevillagehq.org/

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

If you are kind enough to leave a review, please do let Barbra know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at barbra@gleecoaching.com

If you enjoyed this one please hit Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of The Unlikely Executive is released.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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A great job, a great life, a life partner. Then things changed. Hear how Natasha moved from one of the Big 4 Accountancy Consultancies into following her passion to help people and contribute to international equity. Now an experienced not for profit leader with a proven track record of ambitious strategic development and transformational change.

Passionately and ambitiously creating a more sustainable, people focussed world directly and through people whose lives she touches.

After an early career as an auditor, Natasha (she/her) moved into the charity sector to work towards a more sustainable people focused world. Twenty years on and she’s held a variety of Executive and Trustee roles in a range of mid-sized charities including Farm Africa, Forum for the Future, Transparency International UK, The Institute of Development Streets and most recently at Living Streets. She has not regretted the move for a single moment since.

For more information, please visit:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaclaytonnfp/?originalSubdomain=uk

barbra@gleecoaching.com | www.gleecoaching.co.uk | (17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

If you are kind enough to leave a review, please do let Barbra know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at barbra@gleecoaching.com

If you enjoyed this one please hit Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of The Unlikely Executive is released.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Patrick Fox (he/him), youngest in the family, only one interested in art from a young age. He is Chief Executive and founding Director of Heart of Glass - a northwest based community arts organisation. He is a producer, commissioner and senior arts leader who supports artists to engage with communities of place/ interest to create contemporary work that reflects the politics of our times. He is former director of Create, Ireland’s national development agency for Collaborative Arts and the former Head of Collaborations and Engagement at FACT Liverpool, leading the acclaimed arts and older people project tenantspin as part of his portfolio.

Useful links:

https://www.heartofglass.org.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-fox-707739333/

barbra@gleecoaching.com

www.gleecoaching.co.uk

(17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

If you are kind enough to leave a review, please do let Barbra know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at barbra@gleecoaching.com

If you enjoyed this one please hit Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of The Unlikely Executive is released

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Emma is radical - in the way she sees the world and the spirit she brings into what she does. With two start up organisations to lead, Emma is a strong story teller with a purpose.

The first organisation is Radical Recruit which is the UK's only charitable recruitment, CSR, ESG and Social Value partner for businesses that want to level the playing field for Radical people and communities. Founded by Emma and Jude (Em's mum) in October 2019, the Radical team has placed over 750 people who are furthest from the labour market ‘Super Radicals’ - into good jobs, that offer fair pay in exchange for meaningful work. B Radical, the second organisation helps businesses - big and small - to turn their diversity, Corporate Social Responsibility and 'Environmental Social and Governance' rhetoric into meaningful action by levelling the playing field for Radical people and communities.

For more information, please visit:

B-Radical Website: https://www.b-radical.co.uk/

Radical Recruit Website: https://radicalrecruit.co.uk/

barbra@gleecoaching.com

www.gleecoaching.co.uk

(17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

If you are kind enough to leave a review, please do let Barbra know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at barbra@gleecoaching.com

If you enjoyed this one please hit Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of The Unlikely Executive is released

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Sabiene didn't need to have left her financially rewarding job in Private Banking, and Financial Analysis: but she did. After spending time raising money on behalf of Huntingdon Disease charity she reflected on where she was at and what she could offer the world. This saw her leave her secure job and start to have a small role fundraising for Be Free Young Carers. Listen to the podcast to find out how she became CEO. What she brings to the role and what her challenges are. Maybe something in what she says will resonate for you. With at least 3 children in every classroom in Oxfordshire identified as young carers we need to do more to support and nurture their happiness and talent. Be Free Young Carers not only allows them a space to be children, but also equips them with life-changing skills such as first aid training, cookery, and mindfulness. The aim is to provide peace of mind and wellbeing skills to help them maintain a positive outlook on their lives and achieve in their education and future careers.

For more information, please visit: https://befreeyc.org.uk/

barbra@gleecoaching.com

www.gleecoaching.co.uk

(17) Barbra Carlisle (FCIPD) | LinkedIn

If you found this episode of The Unlikely Executive helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

If you are kind enough to leave a review, please do let Barbra know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at barbra@gleecoaching.com

If you enjoyed this one please hit Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of The Unlikely Executive is released

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Alan Adams was told that he wouldn't amount to much by his teachers. He is now leading a charitable organisations that delivers the UK's largest flower show - Southport Flower Show every year, as well as managing one of the North West's premier outdoor event spaces - Victoria Park. Listen to him talk about his journey and what he thinks makes a good leader.

For more information, please visit:

Company Website: https://southportflowershow.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthportFlowerShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southportflowershow/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-adams-2a93068a/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Jacqui Gavin BEM is an internationally recognised and award-winning leader in

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), celebrated for her transformative leadership across

both the public and private sectors. With a career marked by strategic roles in high

profile organisations, Jacqui has consistently delivered cultural change, advancing

inclusivity, equality, and wellbeing at all levels of business and government.

As an active author, Jacqui has recently focused her work on addressing one of

society’s most pressing challenges: finding a way out of the polarisation that

dominates today’s world. Her writings provide thought-provoking insights and

practical strategies for bridging divisions and fostering unity through empathy,

diplomacy, and collective progress. Alongside her authorship, Jacqui continues to

serve as a coach, trusted adviser, and judge for prestigious diversity awards such as

the Annual RIDI Awards.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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Leah Godfrey is a distinguished leader with 30 years of international commercial and community-building expertise across multiple sectors. As Chief Operating Officer of Neurodiverse Sport, founder of L2 Foundry and Alt Elle, and Head of Events and Campaigns at BAMREF, she leads transformative approaches in women's sports and organisational development.

Her strategic consulting spans diverse sectors, leveraging her ability to drive innovation across Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 companies, academic institutions, governmental bodies, sporting clubs and communities and non-profit organisations. Alongside her entrepreneurial focus she applies her industry-agnostic experience to empowering young female founders, demonstrating her commitment to holistic cross-sector transformation and systemic change. Beyond the game itself, it is her belief that the rise of female sports is a sociocultural revolution that can activate wider societal gender, racial and neurodiverse equity.

A multi-award-winning professional, she infuses commercial strategy with social impact, particularly in women's sports and extensive equality work. Her leadership transcends traditional boundaries, leveraging her neuro-spicy approach to challenge institutional paradigms and generate innovative solutions prioritising equality, sustainability, and holistic organisational growth.

For more information, you may find this via the link below:

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahagodfrey/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/youandmebothmate?igsh=c2xxZXUwcjFseDFv&utm_source=qr

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

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Matt Cliff is transforming lives by teaching vital living and mobility skills to people navigating sight loss. But this isn’t just about support—it’s about empowerment. As Director of Bradbury Fields, Matt has turned his own challenges into fuel, building a vibrant community hub where others with similar barriers can live boldly and confidently.

“If I’m honest, I didn’t want to be disabled. I didn’t want to live with sight loss. I didn’t want to try blind sports,” Matt shares.

Yet, through embracing the unpredictable nature of life, he’s carved out a path full of purpose and impact.

Tune in for a raw, inspiring, and unexpected journey—one that proves physical limitations don’t have to limit how loud, proud, and full your life can be.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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"This is a new journey that has taken me on a wild ride", just one of, Founder of Supersmith, Tom Morgan's reflections on trying to change the disability market. Tom started his career in automotive manufacturing, which in itself is an interesting tie back to what he finds himself doing today. Operational improvement and supply chain management gave Tom a breadth of skills and space to develop his naturally acute problem solving talents. In recent years Tom has worked with a global design and consultancy business, Arcadis, holding roles in the UK and the US. Tom left the safety and security of the large corporate to commit to his passion: creating a revolutionary new type of mobility scooter.

For more information, please visit:

Website- https://supersmith.co/

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-morgan-online/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

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Chelsea has dedicated her work to achieving gender equality within the tech sector. Her direct experiences of inequality within her previous roles inspired her to start InnovateHer, a social enterprise who are on a mission to get girls ready for the tech industry and the industry ready for girls. With her team, Chelsea plans for InnovateHer to become a pioneering industry-led STEAM education provider, inspiring teens to reach their potential and create a more inclusive future in tech, with a community of 1 million globally.

In other work, Chelsea has supported many organisations and government bodies on their digital strategies, as well as Inclusion, Social Enterprise, Digital Marketing, Brand and Business operations.

For more information, you may find this via the link below:

Organisation Website- https://www.innovateher.co.uk/

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-slater-ab548131/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/innovateherUK/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/innovateheruk/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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All Nick ever wanted to do was to play football... he was half decent too, playing for Stockport County as a teenager. However, he didn't make the grade and moved through job roles and ending up being Head of Operations, a stressful full-on job.

This eventually took a toll on him, suffering a severe stroke in 2012. As a stroke survivor, Nick felt that there was a lack of support, information, guidance and HOPE for people like him, so he started a blog and set up a charity.

Driven by a passion to build a charity that employs stroke survivors, listen to Nick talk about motivation and challenges in this week's episode of The Unlikely Executive.

For more information, you may find this via the links below:

Website- https://www.strokeinformation.co.uk/home/

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-clarke-%F0%9F%92%9A-a2b6371/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

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Sean died in 2019. He wanted help, he wanted to get better. The type of support he needed didn't exist. There was nowhere men could go to to feel good about themselves. His sister Debbie, felt a fire in her to create change, so that men, like her brother, didn't take their own liives. Five years later, Debbie - who previously worked in school administration, has ensured that Sean's Place is a thriving mental health service for men. 

Debbie shares her leadership journey, and gives insight into how to be a leader in a new and growing non-profit organisation which supports over 400 people a week.

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

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Cohan follows his purpose with a very clear passion. A passion to increase diversity within the Tech sector.  Cohan had experienced the sector and knew that there was more diverse talent that could be tapped into to accelerate the tech sector as well as the careers of highly talented individuals. After being made redundant he bit the bullet and set up Equity in Tech, to support others to excel. 

In our latest podcast Cohan talks to us about how mental wellness impacted his decisions, and how, as a start-up, there are lots of arrows to be throwing all at the same time and in different directions! 

For more information, you may find this via the link below:

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cohanleondaleyuk/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

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Marg Ollivier came back home to the North after carving a career out in HR and governance in London. She came back, to be closer to family, to be closer to her beloved Liverpool Football Club and to look for work.  

Six years later she is now CEO of Expect Ltd, whose mission is to help to deliver person-centred support to people with a disability, promoting and enabling their independent choice and integration into the community. A mission close to Marg’s heart. 

Did she plan this? No.

Find out how Marg became CEO and what she thinks about her success in the latest podcast of The Unlikely Executive. 

CEOs and senior leaders are always 'on' — but how do you find downtime without the guilt? This episode tackles one of the biggest challenges in executive leadership: switching off.

🔑 In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why downtime is critical for leadership performance
• Practical strategies for switching off when you're always in demand
• How to prevent CEO burnout before it happens
• The link between rest, creativity, and better decision-making

📌 About The Unlikely Executive:
Hosted by Barbra Carlisle, executive coach and founder of Glee Coaching.

🔗 Work with Barbra: https://www.gleecoaching.co.uk

#CEOBurnout #LeadershipWellbeing #ExecutiveCoaching #TheUnlikelyExecutive #WorkLifeBalance

For more information, you may find this via the links below:

Website- https://expect.org.uk/

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/marg-ollivier-20b228281/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ExpectLimited

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/expectltd/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Michele Afif pivoted her career- From being a full-on consultant paediatrician with a Medical Law Masters, to being the CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity. 

What made her switch in mid-life? Hear how Michele is deeply committed to driving groundbreaking research and advocating for the brain tumour community. Her personal experience caring for children with brain tumours ignited a lifelong passion for improving outcomes and addressing inequalities in care. 

Michele joins the podcast to share her inspiring journey and vision for creating lasting change in this vital field.

For more information, you may find this via the links below:

Website- https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleafif/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/thebraintumourcharity

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thebraintumourcharity/

Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time. 

Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more. 

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