Moving by the Seat of Our Pants: Navigating Global Mobility Trends – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of "Moving By the Seat of Our Pants," we chat with Kate Fitzpatrick from Mercer about the evolving world of global mobility. We explore how international assignments have changed, discussing challenges and opportunities in managing a global workforce. Kate shares insights on supporting employees through these transitions, offering practical advice and engaging stories. Join us for a relaxed conversation on the future of moving across borders

Welcome to another episode of "Moving by the Seat of Our Pants," where Chris Blair from Expat Academy and Scott Turner from Equus Software dive into the dynamic world of global mobility. In this episode, they are joined by Ros Harvey and Andy Hawtin, two seasoned professionals with fascinating journeys into the mobility industry.

Throughout the episode, our hosts and guests explore the challenges and strategies associated with cost control in global mobility. They share insights into balancing cost management with maintaining a positive employee experience. Discussions highlight the importance of understanding company culture, the role of data in decision-making, and the potential of technology to streamline processes.

Whether you're a veteran or new to the field, this episode offers valuable tips and stories from industry experts to help you navigate the complexities of global mobility. Tune in to discover how to manage costs without compromising on quality, and learn about the innovative solutions shaping the future of this ever-evolving field.

Welcome to "Moving by the Seat of Our Pants," where hosts Chris Blair from Expat Academy and Scott Turner from Equus Software dive into the dynamic world of global mobility. In this episode, special guest Claire Fielding from AirInc joins us to explore the evolution of global mobility policies.

Discover Claire's unique journey from chartered accountant to global mobility expert as she shares her insights on the power of empathy and the importance of flexibility in policy design. Tune in as we discuss the growing demand for remote work and virtual assignments, the impact of shifting workforce demographics, and strategies for balancing compliance, duty of care, and employee experience.

Join us as we delve into the nuances of creating policies that truly support a diverse and mobile workforce, ensuring that the well-being and needs of individuals are not lost in the process. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode offers valuable guidance on navigating the ever-changing landscape of global mobility.

In this Episode of "Moving by the seat of our pants" we're joined by Radhika Gorsia from Aires and Sonal Wadher and Payal Khakhria from Tesco as we delve into what it means to have truly employee centric approaches to Global Mobility Policies. We'll discuss everything from how we measure employee experience, to how we add those amazing moments for Global Employees through little shifts in policy such as providing Hello Fresh orders or Netflix subscriptions.

An Episode not to be missed for those in the Global Mobility world!!

Visa rules are changing, expectations are rising, and global mobility teams are stuck navigating the grey. Joanne Taylor and Anita Ofis from Immigration Law firm Magrath Sheldrick LLP join the show to unpack myths around immigration law, real-world visa challenges, and what compliance really looks like post-Brexit and post-pandemic. From remote work headaches to policy blind spots, they dive into the risk, the reality, and the unexpected humour of getting global talent where they need to be.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

(05:32) How the UK immigration system has evolved

(07:01) The impact of remote work on immigration

(10:40) Why UK business visitor rules are still unclear

(14:43) Post-Brexit business travel: what's changed

(16:59) The rise of intelligence-led immigration penalties

(20:44) What an annual workforce risk assessment really means

(25:02) The hidden challenges of short-term work travel

(27:16) Visas, planning, and staying flexible

(29:31) Border entry: why every experience is different

(35:49) What makes decision-making so tough for GM teams

(38:12) Navigating immigration with cost constraints

(40:13) Clawback clauses and compliance risks

(43:50) When immigration policies lead to employment discrimination

(46:54) Why you need to audit your current position now

Links mentioned in this episode:

Magrath Sheldrick LLP

Join Regular hosts Chris Blair, Director at Expat Academy and Scott Turner, VP Product Marketing at EQUUS Software as they are joined by guests, Nicola Cocks from RWE, Clive Fathers and Sarah Lavan from Fathers & Lavan as they dive into how to solve the Diversity Dilemma within Global Mobility. 

We'll explore the reasons for under representation within Global Mobility programmes and the ways to overcome these issues to drive greater inclusion leading to greater business benefits. 

A fascinating listen you do not want to miss!!!

What does it really take to make global mobility work? In this episode, we sit down with Cat Vose from Vodafone and Mike Hibberd from Global Expat Pay. They pull back the curtain on the often messy, high-stakes reality of managing a global workforce.

We talk about the power of data, as well as the danger of leaning on it too much. When should you trust your gut over the numbers? How do you build trust with internal stakeholders who just don’t get it yet? And why, sometimes, the breakthrough comes not from the perfect spreadsheet, but from asking a better question.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

(05:30) Solving assignee frustrations: data disconnect

(11:06) Understanding mobility's operational flow

(15:03) Global payroll and tax coordination

(17:24) Streamlining finance team processes

(22:35) Vodafone's tech and simplicity focus

(24:47) Mindset shift for data-driven decisions

(28:44) Balancing data with storytelling

(32:24) Stakeholder-centric understanding

(35:11) Navigating negative leadership feedback

(38:26) Beyond buzzwords: evidence-based mindset

(43:23) Stakeholder engagement in data strategy

(45:32) Streamlining operational data management

Links mentioned in this episode:

Cat Vose on LinkedIn

Mike Hibberd on LinkedIn

Global Expat Pay

Emily Stewart is the Client Success Director in Mobility Technology for EQUUS Software. Her global experience and unconventional path into mobility – complete with red-eye flights, missed sleep, and a cameo from her five-year-old son Jamie – make for a fascinating listen.

We explore the Human Edge: how technology can enhance global mobility not by replacing people, but by helping teams be more human in what they do. Emily shares insights from her career, including supporting mobility for people with disabilities, and shows how tech and data can improve the employee experience and free up teams to focus on what really matters.

We also unpack the balancing act between automation and empathy, lessons in change management, and getting ready for the metaverse.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

(06:28) Global mobility career journey

(08:12) Understanding DEI through accessibility challenges

(10:41) Streamlining mobility and reducing admin work

(13:29) How tech boosts employee satisfaction

(17:17) Breaking down knowledge gaps

(20:50) Embracing change in payroll automation

(24:24) Business travel trends and what they reveal

(26:58) Evolving virtual assignment policies

(29:39) Smarter dashboards for workforce planning

(35:47) Using AI in financial reporting

(38:00) Can you trust open source AI?

(40:46) One portal for employee mobility

(43:09) Why personal mobility experience matters

Links mentioned in this episode:

EQUUS Software

What’s the real cost of getting global mobility wrong?

In this episode, Steph Carr from BDO joins Moving By The Seat of Our Pants for a deep dive into the hidden risks that can derail even the best mobility strategies. From shadow payroll to permanent establishment exposure in today’s remote and hybrid world, Steph unpacks the tax, compliance and commercial realities mobility professionals can’t afford to ignore.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:41) Broadening views on expat tax

(07:54) Why shadow payroll gets complicated

(11:51) Remote work and taxable presence

(13:48) Spotting remote workforce risks

(18:46) Prevention over cure in tax compliance

(23:09) Where departments misunderstand each other

(29:13) Getting compliance right before travel

(33:06) Common cross-border tax pitfalls

(36:59) Policy planning across jurisdictions

(38:32) Equity compliance case by case

(42:24) Immigration tax risk and compliance

(45:40) Breaking down Health and Safety (H&S) payroll

James Speirs, the Vice President of Client Services at RelocationOnline, joins Moving By The Seat of Our Pants to unpack how relocation and employee support have evolved beyond traditional, logistics-focused models.

Find out more about the shift toward a more holistic approach – one that emphasises wellbeing, flexibility, and technology – shaped by Covid, Gen Z expectations, and increasing demands around compliance, cost control, and AI. It’s a highlight on how global mobility teams are adapting to balance employee experience with organisational priorities.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

(03:05) An accidental journey into mobility

(04:39) Relocation trends from goods to holistic support

(09:31) Rethinking global mobility priorities

(13:29) Effective compliance for cost control

(15:53) Relocation benefits and the evolving business rationale

(18:39) Candidate assessment in relocation

(21:39) Why mobility lags in wellbeing

(25:09) Prioritising wellbeing in mobility

(30:30) From gatekeepers to strategic partners

(33:24) Person-led AI enhancing efficiency

(35:52) The future of connected mobility solutions

(37:58) Enhancing the digital employee experience

Links mentioned in this episode:

James Speirs on LinkedIn

RelocationOnline