The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson

Episode 56 - Hugh Kenyon - Sustainability and Insurance, former Pricing Director of LV, Direct Line Group

This week on The Impact Room, we explore sustainability through the lens of a senior leader who has transitioned from a 40-year corporate career to a champion of environmental change. Our guest Hugh Kenyon, candidly shares his learning journey and the lessons from his time as a pricing director and environmental sponsor at LV=. The episode dives into the challenges boards face in adopting sustainability strategies and the importance of measuring what matters—going beyond direct emissions to consider downstream impacts. He offers invaluable advice for leaders who want to build sustainable strategies without getting lost in complexity.
Tune in to gain insights from a leader who believes in empowering people to make sustainability part of the business DNA. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation on leadership and sustainability.
If you would prefer to watch this episode, you can do that here: 
The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson
Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...

Episode 55 - Hannah Harrison Paris 2024 Olympic Umpire, Director of Operations - Energy Ombudsman

Balancing Corporate Leadership and Olympic Ambitions with Hannah Harrison
In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Hannah Harrison, Director of Operations at the Energy Ombudsman and International Hockey Umpire. Hannah is a dynamic force, not only leading teams in the utilities industry but also achieving her dream of umpiring at world-class tournaments, including the prestigious Paris 2024 Olympics.
🎙️ “Paris was a lifelong dream, broken down into much smaller goals over decades of effort. It’s been a journey, but that’s been the best bit. It’s the journey and the process that shape who you are, connect you to so many people, and ultimately make the impossible possible.”
From the boardroom to the hockey pitch, Hannah shares her strategies for mastering balance, maintaining peak performance, and thriving in demanding roles across different arenas. As a professional woman juggling a high-powered career, intense sports training, and family life, her story is a testament to resilience, goal-setting, and community support. Discover how she channels her passion into every aspect of her life and what it truly means to “have it all.”
🎧 Tune in to hear Hannah’s candid reflections on leadership, career progression, and how she prepares mentally and physically for both corporate and sporting success.
If you’re inspired by stories of women breaking barriers and excelling in diverse fields, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode. Follow us for more inspiring conversations with impactful leaders who are redefining success.
If you would prefer to watch the full episode you can do that here 
The Impact Room, where exceptional, diverse leadership and wisdom is shared 
#WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalHockey #OlympicDreams #LeadershipJourney #CorporateSuccess #HighPerformers #UtilitiesIndustry #InspiringWomen #DouglasJackson #TheImpactRoom

Episode 54 - Jane Smith, Chief People Officer, Curo Housing, Formerly of BT, People Director and Tesco

Welcome to The Impact Room on Podbean. your host, Michelle Ansell, Managing Partner at Douglas Jackson is joined by a remarkable leader in the world of People and HR, Jane Smith. Currently Chief People Officer at Curo Homes, Jane has had an illustrious career, previously holding senior leadership roles at BT, Mothercare, and Tesco.
What sets Jane apart is her unique ability to bridge the gap between HR and commercial operations, and today we’ll dive into her fascinating journey, including her time as the only foreign female director in a highly hierarchical, male-dominated environment in South Korea. Jane will share her insights on leadership, adaptability, and the evolving role of the Chief People Officer in driving both people and business success Jane also talks passionately about the benefits and opportunities in job shares and job sharing so if this is something you and your organisation are considering you must listen to this
I’m excited to explore these topics and more, so stay tuned—it’s going to be a fantastic conversation. 
Don't forget to like, subscribe or share if you are enjoying this content. 
If you would prefer to watch online you can do so here. 
The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson – Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...

Episode 53 - Caroline Walton, Chief Commercial Officer, ex CEO, Corporate Affairs Director, Women in Finance, Women in Credit

Welcome to another episode of The Impact Room with me, Michelle Ansell, Managing Partner at Douglas Jackson, where we help businesses hire leaders who are more impactful, more diverse, and who stay for the long term.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Caroline Walton, a highly experienced Board Director and senior executive in the financial services industry. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Caroline has transitioned through multiple senior roles, including Head of Finance and FCA-approved positions, all while advocating for a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture.
Caroline shares her unique perspective on navigating leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry and how she adapted across different roles in the sector. A key part of our conversation focuses on career adaptability, leadership growth, and the importance of self-investment—something every leader, whether you're a CFO, COO, or Director, can benefit from.
One of Caroline’s most powerful reflections from our chat:"In order to succeed in a man's world, you need to be more of a man... How wrong is that? And I’m so glad we’re moving beyond that mindset today."
Tune in to hear Caroline’s thoughts on:
Navigating leadership transitions between roles like Head of Finance and Board Director
Building a career in regulated environments
The value of continuously sharpening your skills and growing as a leader
Why inclusive work environments drive better results
Whether you're a senior leader, in the midst of a career change, or simply looking for actionable leadership advice, you won't want to miss this episode of The Impact Room. Listen now and don't forget to follow our podcast for more inspiring conversations with today’s top leaders.
From Finance to Board Director: Caroline Walton on Leadership, Career Adaptation, and Inclusive Cultures
Prefer to watch the video - you can do that here. 
The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson– Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...
 

Episode 52 - Emma Dark - Customer Experience and Operations Director at Cuckoo, Formerly The White Company, Estee Lauder, Asos

In this exciting episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Emma Dark, Director of Customer Experience and Operations at Cuckoo. Emma brings a wealth of expertise from her impressive career with iconic brands like The White Company, Estee Lauder, and Asos, and was named in the prestigious CX Power 100 for 2022 and 2023.
Together, we dive deep into Emma's career journey, from her early days in contact centres to becoming a CX leader, and explore the key differences between customer service and customer experience. Emma shares invaluable insights on how to proactively design exceptional customer journeys and continuously improve using data-driven strategies.
This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone in CX leadership or looking to elevate their customer service strategies. Don’t miss it!
🎧 Tune in now to hear more about Emma's journey and how she’s shaping the future of customer experience.
How stepping outside of your comfort zon is key to continual learning and sharpening your axe and ultra marathons, how physical exercise can help with delivering peak performance. 
Prefer to watch the episode you can do that here. 
The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson – Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...
#CustomerExperience #CXLeadership #Podcast #TheImpactRoom #EmmaDark #Leadership #CustomerService

Episode 51 - Mia Manson-Bishop Member Experience and Membership Director

In this episode of The Impact Room, I'm thrilled to be joined by Mia Manson Bishop, the Member Experience and Membership Director at David Lloyd Leisure. Mia brings over 20 years of executive-level experience across the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors. She’s been recognized as one of the "Women to Watch" in hospitality, travel, and leisure, as well as one of the "100 Most Inspirational CX Leaders in the UK."
In our conversation, Mia shares her thoughts on the changing landscape of hospitality, the growing importance of diversity of thought, and how leaders can navigate this evolving environment. Whether you're passionate about leadership, customer experience, or diversity in business, Mia's insights will leave you with plenty to think about. Let’s dive in!
Prefer to watch online you can do that here.
The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson – Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...

Episode 50 - Ric Kosiba - AI - Workforce Optimisation, Math Modelling and Analytics

In this episode of The Impact Room, Perry Fletcher from Douglas Jackson sits down with Ric Kosiba, co-founder of Real Numbers and a pioneer in the contact centre planning industry. Ric takes us through his fascinating career, from developing the first-ever resource planning system to harnessing the power of data analytics and AI for smarter decision-making. Tune in to discover how Ric's insights can transform your approach to contact centre management, planning, and operational efficiency. Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for today's fast-evolving business landscape.
Please subscribe, like or share if you are enjoying our content. 
The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson– Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...
Prefer to watch, you can do that here.
#contactcentreplanning #aiincontactcentres #datadrivendecisions #workforcemanagement #rickosiba #operationalefficiency #realnumbers #theimpactroom 

Episode 49 Pip Tomson - Imposter syndrome - Pip Tomson, Freelance Presenter, Journalist and Media Professional

Impostor Syndrome in the Broadcasting Industry and beyone with Pip Tomson
Welcome to The latest edition of The Impact Room! In this episode, we're joined by Philippa "Pip" Tomson—celebrated journalist and presenter known for her work on ITV News, Good Morning Britain, and GB News. Pip gets real about her personal struggles with impostor syndrome, a challenge faced by many professionals in high-pressure careers, especially in the competitive world of broadcasting.
Throughout her career, Pip has presented live shows, faced unexpected challenges, and navigated the constant feeling of not being "good enough." As she admits, "There was always this sense of, today’s the day... I’m going to be found out." Despite a portfolio of successes and accolades, Pip shares how self-doubt still lingered and how she learned to embrace her strengths and capabilities with time and maturity.
If you’ve ever experienced feelings of self-doubt in your career or want to hear a relatable story from a broadcasting veteran, this episode is for you.
Hit subscribe and don't forget to like and share if you enjoy this content and tune in to hear how Pip overcame impostor syndrome, and be sure to share this episode with anyone who could use a confidence boost!
Prefer to watch, Holly and Pip, you can do that here. 
The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson– Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...

Episode 48 - Lara Barnes - Global Director of Customer Success, ex Sitecore, Oracle, Facebook and Microsoft

"If you're not delivering value, it's very easy for businesses to say, 'We're not getting the value, so we're cutting it."
In this episode of The Impact Room, hosted by Michelle Ansell, we welcome Lara Barnes, an acclaimed leader in customer success and a 2024 spotlight winner. Lara has an impressive track record working with leading SaaS and technology companies such as Sitecore, Oracle, Microsoft, and Facebook. She shares her experiences in building high-performing customer success teams, transforming customer engagement strategies, and navigating to a successful strategy that delivers realy value and return on investment for SAAS businesses.
Lara discusses the significance of data analytics in understanding customer needs and driving product adoption. She highlights the critical role of customer success teams in fostering strong customer relationships and ensuring long-term retention. Lara also explores the future of the customer success field, including the growing integration of AI and the expanding responsibilities of Chief Customer Officers.  We also talk about Women in Technology and how Customer Success offers a great opportunity for female and other diverse talent to sprinboard into a uccessful career in SAAS and AI as well as elevating future opportunities. 
Featured Topics:
Evolution of customer success over 15 years
Transitioning to SaaS and the challenges involved
Importance of data-driven decision-making
Strategies for achieving high customer retention and satisfaction
The future of customer success with AI and predictive analytics
Tune in to gain valuable insights and learn how customer success can drive business growth and customer loyalty. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's leading voices and please like and subscribe to hear more from inspirational leaders and their journeys in The Impact Room Podcast from Douglas Jackson

Episode 47 - Sandra Lewin -Founder and Podcast Host 100 Women in Insurance, Diversity, Female Leadership Retention in Insurance

Impact Room Podcast: Elevating and Retaining Diverse Leadership in Insurance
Welcome to the Impact Room Podcast and our latest episode, where Michelle Ansell, Managing Partner at Douglas Jackson, dives deep into the world of leadership, diversity, and talent retention within the Insurance industry.
 
In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Sandra Lewin, founder and host of the acclaimed "100 Women in Insurance" podcast. Sandra shares her remarkable journey from Lloyd's of London, to KPMG and her dedication to showcasing the insurance industry as a career of choice not chance brining to light the opportunities and careers available to talent and female talent across the insurance industry whilst  helping organisations better promote diversity and attract and retain more female talent within the insurance sector. Sandra has a super platform which gives her fresh insight and lived experiences and ideas on how business can better retain their talent and top female talent in senior roles.
Episode Highlights:
Sandra Lewin's Career Path: From KPMG to Lloyd's of London
The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Insurance Sector
What makes the insurance industry a great career choice
The difference 50 years has made in Insurance and female leadership 
Strategies for Retaining and Advancing Female Talent
Real-Life Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Future Trends in Leadership and Talent Management
Join us as we uncover valuable insights, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories that aim to transform the way you approach leadership and diversity in your insurance business. Whether you're an industry veteran, looking for some tips and development, or new to the field, this episode offers something for everyone committed to fostering a more inclusive and successful workplace and who wishes to thrive in an insurance career.
If you would prefer to watch this episode you can do that here. 
 
The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson/
Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared
 
#insurance #insuranceleadership #diversityininsurance #insurancepodcast #insurancecareers #whyinsurance #femaleleadersininsurance #talentretentionininsurance #lloydoflondon #kpmg #careerdevelopment #100womenininsurance #retainingdiversetalent #inclusiveworkplaces #careersininsurance #sandralewin #michelleansell