the HRD talks – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the HRD Talks podcast, host Nic Elliott interviews Sharon Frost, Global People Director, whose career spans retail, entertainment, education, marketing, and health sciences.

Sharon shares her journey from finance to HR, revealing how she’s led global teams, navigated private equity-backed growth, and doubled headcount during the pandemic - all while keeping people at the heart of business strategy.

She discusses the importance of commercial thinking in HR, drawing on her finance background and cross-sector experience. Sharon explores the value of union engagement, the challenges of working with private equity, and the need for HR to act as a strategic business partner - not just a support function. She also reflects on the evolving role of middle managers, the impact of AI on HR efficiency, and the importance of treating employees like adults to build trust and accountability.

Leadership, performance conversations, and generational expectations are central themes throughout the episode. Sharon explains how HR can empower managers to have meaningful conversations, and why avoiding feedback - positive or negative - creates a culture of silence. She also shares her views on ESG, employee well-being, and the future of HR as a commercially driven, people-focused discipline.

Sharon offers bold, practical advice for HR professionals ready to lead with confidence and commercial clarity.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier shout-outs:  Gallagher

Sharon’s LinkedIn: Sharon Frost | LinkedIn

Nic’s LinkedIn: Nic Elliott | LinkedIn

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode of the HRD Talks podcast, host Nic Elliott interviews Ceri Gott, Culture & Leadership Coach, formerly Chief Growth & Culture Officer at Hawksmoor International.

What happens when you blend the analytical mindset of a government economist with a passion for creating exceptional workplace cultures? Ceri Gott's remarkable journey from economic policy expert to Chief Growth and Culture Officer provides a masterclass in transforming organisations through people-centred leadership.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Ceri reveals how her unconventional career path began with a simple phone call from her brother, inviting her to help preserve the special culture of his growing restaurant business, Hawksmoor. What followed was a 13-year adventure that saw the company expand from three London restaurants to thirteen establishments across seven cities in four countries, consistently ranking among the UK's top 100 employers.

Ceri challenges us to rethink productivity as more than just time management, arguing that true workplace effectiveness comes from harnessing the complete combination of people's time, talent, and energy. She makes a compelling business case for kindness, revealing how seemingly "soft" cultural elements translate directly to improved cognitive function, innovation, and ultimately, financial performance. Organisations with strong cultures, she notes, outperform their counterparts by an astonishing 200%.

The discussion explores practical strategies for creating inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to contribute. Ceri shares insights from her experience translating Hawksmoor's strong UK culture to international markets, highlighting the crucial differences between high-context and low-context communication styles across different countries.

For HR professionals seeking to advance their careers, Ceri offers wisdom that balances personal growth with professional development - from understanding your strengths and mitigating weaknesses to connecting with your values and vision. Her advice to "lean into data" while trusting intuition perfectly encapsulates the unique blend of analytical and empathic intelligence that has defined her career.

Whether you're managing workplace culture, leading through change, or simply trying to create more meaningful connections with colleagues, Ceri's insights will transform how you think about the intersection of people practices and business performance. Listen now to discover how intentional leadership can create workplaces where both people and profits thrive.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier shout-outs:  

Lorraine Copes / Be Inclusive Hospitality

Boardwalk Mentoring

Hospitality Action

Ceri’s LinkedIn: Ceri Gott | LinkedIn

Ceri's Website: CERI GOTT

Nic’s LinkedIn: Nic Elliott | LinkedIn

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode, Pat Woodfield, Executive Group Director, Business Strategy, People & Culture at YMCA Robin Hood Group shares her career journey from executive personal assistant, to HR Manager, to COO and CEO roles, to Executive HR positions.

Pat talks about the great work the YMCA is doing, including their new site in Newark, the Malt Cross music hall, and the famous caves of Nottingham!

Nic talks to Pat about the changing nature of the people function and what People & Culture actually means at YMCA.  Pat also talks about the challenges of recruitment and retention in the charity sector and the strategies they deploy on that front.  Pat explains that the team has recruited approximately 190 in the last year with more to come!

Nic and Pat talk about the challenges of managing PR risks in the modern workplace and the rapid pace of change. Pat advocates for the generalist HR role and the importance of a good network of contacts and the benefits of utilising a coach. 

Pat also shares her advice to HR professionals starting their careers and senior HR professionals working in an executive team.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier Shout Out: Employee benefits specialist in Surrey and London UK (second-sight.com)

Pat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-woodfield-1b97921a/

Nic’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode, recorded back in March 2023 on International Women’s Day, Charlotte Coore, Head of People & Culture at 200 Degrees Coffee and Zoë Ogden, People Director at Impression share their career journey in HR and experience working in rapidly growing SME businesses.  

Zoë and Charlotte talk about the differences between working in larger corporates and smaller SMEs and the challenges of working in a standalone HR role.  They also share the challenges of being female and operating at a senior level within an organisation.

Zoë talks about the generational differences in how employees are viewing work and how the world of work has evolved post COVID.  Charlotte talks about the importance of colleagues sharing about their mental health, the wellbeing agenda, and how businesses can adapt to have a positive impact on their people’s lives.

Zoë also talks about the benefit of pay transparency and the benefits Impression have seen from taking an open approach to pay and retention.  Charlotte and Zoë also share the advice they would give to their younger selves starting out in their HR career.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier Shout Outs: https://www.helloself.com/ and https://www.marcellusbaz.co.uk/switch-up/

Zoë’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zoë-ogden-56395258/

Charlotte’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-coore-263523140/

Nic’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode Adam Dilks, Group People Director at Nightcap Plc shares his career journey in HR from a training scheme at Tesco, to his current role helping Nightcap achieve its goal of becoming the leading late night bar group.  He claims it’s not just about the cocktails!

Adam tells Nic about the entrepreneurial approach at Nightcap, led by Sarah Willingham (ex-dragon’s den,) and how they are focusing on delivering their belief that “everyone deserves a great night out”.  Adam contrasts the “oil tanker” nature of large corporates and how he’s enjoying being at a “jet ski” business.

Nic talks to Adam about how the hospitality sector are embracing inclusivity, managing the transient nature of their workforce, and giving their people a great experience of work.  Adam explains how employers can’t operate in the same way anymore and how employee expectations have changed, and how recruitment is like dating!  

Adam also touches on technology, AI, and how employers can use that well and not be afraid of change.  Nic asks Adam about his thoughts on equality, diversity and inclusion and Adam shares his internal “why” that drives him to focus on inclusion and how that avoids it being tokenistic. 

Nic and Adam also debate whether the Dragons on Dragons’ Den were judges or just “the Dragons”!

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-dilks/

Nic’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode Ben Horner HR Director, Boots UK & ROI and No7 shares his experience from nearly 20 years at the company.

Nic talks to Ben about his transition from the Boots legal team to the role of HR Director and the challenges he faced taking on that role during a global pandemic!

Ben shares a variety of initiatives Boots have introduced relating to menopause and disability, designed to support their team members and customers alike. 

Ben shares his advice for HR professionals starting their career, as well as those looking to advance it, and gives his ‘supplier shout out’ to an organisation he has worked closely with and is supported by Boots - Business in the Community.

This episode was recorded in April 2023.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier shout out:
Business in the Community - Business in the Community (bitc.org.uk)

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-horner-10430a34/

Nic’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/ 

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode Maria Hawley, Director of People at Fisher German LLP, shares her journey from selling underwear on a market stall, to a career in nursing, through to building a successful career in human resources, working at law firm Nabarros, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, and eventually her current role as Director of People.

Nic and Maria also discuss Maria’s recent success winning “HR Leader of the Year 2023” at the British HR Awards, and the importance of Maria’s team in supporting that success.  Maria talks about the diverse nature of the work Fisher German carries out and the challenges of managing people issues in the professional services sector.  Maria also discusses the challenges of attracting and retaining talent in their business and some of the initiatives they have set up to address this.

Maria shares her thoughts on current trends in the world of work like the 4 day working week, the impact of social media and press coverage on employers managing people issues, and the importance of treating departing employees with kindness and compassion, to ensure they are ambassadors for your organisation.

Nic asks Maria why she is such a prolific user of LinkedIn, the benefits that she finds that brings, and why there aren’t more HR leaders visible on social media.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier shout out:
Worklife Central - WorkLife Central

Maria’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-hawley-fcipd-7850543a/

Nic’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode Andy talks to Nic about his journey from selling TVs in Currys into the People Director roles at some of the UK’s most recognisable brands.

Andy shares his views on how the world of work has changed post COVID and how employers must adapt to new ways of attracting, developing and retaining talent. Nic talks to Andy about building successful teams and the importance of transparency in the area of reward and career progression.

Andy discusses his work in the area of customer experience while at the retailer DFS and his resulting academic research into the impact of net promoter score on sales.  Andy also shares his thoughts on how the HR profession can simplify things for managers operating in a business and the importance of “taking things away” rather than simply adding a never ending list of new HR initiatives.

Andy talks to Nic about Equiniti’s emphasis on customer focus, leadership, and a relentless focus on employee engagement.  Nic and Andy finish with some thoughts on the importance of wellbeing and advice from Andy on how people professionals can progress their careers.

 We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier shout out:
Workday - Workday Enterprise Management Cloud | Finance, HR, Planning, Spend

Armstrong Craven - Research-driven Talent Solutions | Armstrong Craven


Andy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewwstephenson/

Nic’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode Jane shares insights with Nic from her wide experience, having worked at Babcock, in professional services, Awbery Management and Bistrot Pierre.  Jane contrasts her experience of working “in-house” as a People Director with a role operating as a consultant supporting a diverse range of clients.

Nic and Jane discuss the importance of leadership and openness, and consider the new world for employers post COVID, where expectations have been reset and things have become challenging and more complex for employers.  Jane shares some thoughts on her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic working as an HR Director in the hospitality sector, managing 26 restaurants at Bistro Pierre.  Nic talks to Jane about her views on the future of the HR profession and Jane shares her tips for people professionals progressing in their career.
 

Jane reminds us to be kind to ourselves and gives her ‘supplier shout out’ to Raise the Bar - Leadership and Management Development.

Jane talks about the importance of people professionals maintaining their network and mentions The East Midlands HR Network | People Powering Business (thehrnetworkem.co.uk) 

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier shout out:  
Raise the Bar - Leadership and Management Development

Jane’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janerawden/

Nic’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-elliott/

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.

In this episode Sarah White, People and Culture Director at Staffline plc, shares her experience of working at BAE Systems, Boots, Carlsberg and most recently Staffline, who currently engage approximately 40,000 workers every day across the UK and Ireland.  In a comprehensive review of the world of work, Nic and Sarah discuss the importance of leading people well, shaping a people strategy, and creating a culture of success.  

Sarah also shares the challenges of the recruitment sector, Staffline’s purpose of “enabling people into good work”, becoming the UK’s most trusted recruiter, and giving people the best possible experience of work.  Sarah also talks about the importance of targeted data for HR teams, team development, and gives her shout out to ‘Thrive’ learning & skills platform and ‘Matthew Radley & Associates’ coaching consultancy.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Supplier Shout Out:

THRIVE | THRIVE Learning

Matthew Radley & Associates

The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.