The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson

Episode 38 - Oke Eleazu, Ex UK CEO Many Pets, CEO and Founder of Elevate Colour

Welcome to today’s engaging edition of The Impact Room, where insights meet influence and stories of success pave the way for tomorrow’s leaders. I'm Michelle Ansell, your guide on this journey of discovery and inspiration. Today, we are incredibly honored to have Oke Eleazu with us—a visionary in the realms of business, leadership, and the power of diversity.
Oke, the founder CEO of Elevate Colour, has charted a remarkable path through the corporate world, notably as the former UK CEO of Many Pets, a fintech and insurance phenomenon which became a double unicorn. His dedication to customer experience excellence, combined with his advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), makes him a distinguished voice in pushing for greater representation of people of colour in leadership roles.
In this episode, we'll explore Oke's transformative leadership journey, his innovative approach to business, and his mission with Elevate Colour. We’ll dive deep into the essence of creating a customer-centric culture and the critical conversation around diversity and representation in leadership.
Join us as we unravel the lessons and insights from Oke's impressive career.  Let's dive in..
The Impact Room, where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...
If you would prefer to watch this episode, you can do this here.
Douglas Jackson help CEOs, COOs, HRDs and business leaders improve the success and retention of their new leadership hires across Customer, CX, Operations, Insight, Resource Planning and Transformations. Helping you deliver a much improved performance and ROI.
 

Episode 37 - Dr Elizabeth Blakelock, Speaker, Writer, a key figure in the UK Regulators Network

Welcome to a new episode of the Impact Room, brought to you by Douglas Jackson. In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Elizabeth Blakelock, a leading figure in regulatory academics and a pivotal force behind the UK Regulators network's Vulnerability Academy. Dr. Blakelock, who also plays a significant role at Citizens Advice, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion, offering invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of regulation and consumer protection.
In our conversation, Dr. Blakelock delves into the essence and importance of purposeful regulation, emphasizing the need for regulatory bodies to adopt a more strategic and proactive stance in addressing societal challenges. She introduces the innovative concept of a Chief Purpose Officer within the regulatory framework, arguing for its critical role in ensuring that regulation not only meets but exceeds societal expectations, particularly in the utilities sector.
This episode explores how the integration of diverse perspectives and the prioritization of consumer protection can lead to more effective and empathetic regulatory practices. Dr. Blakelock shares her thoughts on the significance of empathy, diversity, and innovation in shaping a regulatory environment that is responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations and committed to a fair transition to net-zero.
Join us on this insightful journey as we uncover the potential of purpose-driven regulation to transform the way utilities are regulated, ensuring that essential services are accessible and equitable for all. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the Impact Room, where we tackle the issues that matter most in the utilities sector and beyond.
If you would prefer to watch the full video you can do that here. 
 
The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson - Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...

Episode 36- Jo Garland, Senior Director Customer Support and Customer Experience, Webhelp Concentrix, John Lewis and Asda

Join us in our next episode of The Impact Room
In this captivating episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Jo Garland, Jo is a senior Director actoss customer support, customer experience and operational leadership. Jo's career has seen her shaping customer experiences at top-tier retailers including Waitrose, John Lewis, and Asda. Now, as a Senior Account Director at Concentrix and Webhelp, Jo has been recognised in the Customer Experience Foundation Power 100 and excels at delivering transformation, leadership, and coaching.
🔍 What's inside this episode:
Jo's Journey: From leading omnichannel customer support to embracing new challenges in her current role, Jo shares her rich experiences and the lessons learned along the way.
Making an Impact in New Roles: Jo discusses her approach to joining new organizations, especially in dynamic environments, and how to identify and seize quick wins while bringing valuable experience to the table.
Leadership and Change: Delving into her passion for leadership, Jo talks about the common pitfalls in transformation programs and the vital role of engaging and nurturing talent at all levels.
Diversity and Career Advancement: As a successful female leader, Jo offers her perspective on promoting diversity within organizations, and provides practical tips for aspirational leaders to thrive in their careers.
The Power of Customer Service Careers: Jo passionately argues for recognizing customer service as a promising career path, highlighting the vast opportunities for growth and learning it presents.
🧘‍♀️ A Personal Touch: Jo also shares snippets from her recent yoga retreat in Spain, offering a glimpse into how balancing personal well-being contributes to professional excellence.
Join us on The Impact Room, Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...
 Jo's insights are a blend of practical advice, forward-thinking strategies, and a deep understanding of what it takes to excel in customer-centric roles.
If you would prefer to watch the Youtube video you can do that here. 

Episode 35 - Mandy Casken, Director of Resource Planning and Forecasting, Ex RAC, Capita, Barclays

The Impact Room welcomes Mandy Casken, Director of Resource Planning and Forecasting and who has worked but the RAC, Capita amongst others. 
Perry joins Mandy as they talk about resource planning and workforce management, effective planning and forecasting.
Mandy is a distinguished Planning and Insight leader with over 25 years of experience in the field. Mandy's impressive career spans various sectors, including notable roles at RAC, Army Recruitment, and Barclays. Dive deep with us into her insightful journey and her impactful contributions to strategic and operational workforce planning.
Inside This Episode:
From Brass Bands to Boardrooms: Mandy reveals her fascinating background, including a unique hobby that surprises many.
Data Strategy in Action: Learn about Mandy's transformative role in army recruiting, where her data-driven approach led to remarkable achievements.
The Evolution of Planning and Insight: Mandy discusses the exciting future of workforce planning, emphasizing the synergy between AI, machine learning, and the critical human touch.
Career Milestones and Mentors: Explore Mandy's career-defining moments and the influential mentors who have shaped her journey.
Empowering Future Leaders: Mandy imparts invaluable advice for those aspiring to senior leadership roles in planning and forecasting, highlighting the importance of collaboration and embracing challenges.
AI in the Workplace: Gain insights into Mandy's perspective on AI advancements, including ChatGPT, and its potential to revolutionize planning and insight functions.
Mandy Casken's story is more than a career narrative; it's an inspiring tale of dedication, adaptability, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
 
If you would prefer to watch the full video you can do that here. 
 
The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson, Where exceptional, diverse and impactful leadership and wisdom is shared...

Episode 34 - Chyrel Brown, Executive Leadership Consultant, Ex COO One Housing, NED

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Impact Room! I'm thrilled to be joined by Chyrel Brown, a seasoned Executive Leadership Consultant and former Chief Operating Officer at One Housing, with a remarkable 20-year career dedicated to Social Housing. Currently serving as a Non-Executive Director for both the Health and Safety Executive and the University College London Hospitals, Chyrel is passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
In this episode, we delve into pivotal topics:
Sector Challenges: As a C-Suite executive with a rich history in Housing Associations and Social Housing, Chyrel discusses the most significant challenges facing the sector today.
Career Transitions: Explore the notable differences between a corporate career and a portfolio career as Chyrel transitions from the C-Suite to a Non-Executive Director role.
Diversity and Inclusion: Uncover the urgent issue of underrepresentation in the boardroom for Housing Associations and the broader business world. Gain insights from Women in the Workplace findings and discover tips to address the significant loss of diverse talent at mid-management levels.
Navigating Corporate Careers: Chyrel shares valuable advice for diverse, female, and aspirational leaders seeking success in their career across the corporate world or social housing sector.
Black History Month: Understand the importance of celebrating Black History Month and explore the impact such events can have on fostering inclusivity.
Social Housing Advocacy: Discover why Social Housing and Housing Associations are excellent places for everyone to explore and contribute.
Join us in The Impact Room, where exceptional, diverse, and impactful leadership insights and wisdom are shared.
#ImpactRoom #LeadershipInsights #DiversityInclusion #ExecutiveCareer #BlackHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #ChyrelBrown #HousingAssociation #SocialHousing #COO #ChiefOperatingOfficer #douglasjackson
Want to watch the full video you can do that here

Episode 33 - Vinay Parmar, Chief Customer Officer - Founder Dhruva Star

Welcome to The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson, where exceptional, diverse, and impactful leadership and wisdom are shared. Michelle Ansell, Managing PArtner was delighted to be joined Vinay Parmar.
Vinay brings over three decades of invaluable experience to our virtual stage as a Chief Customer Experience Officer. He is not just a leader, but a visionary who has transformed the way companies approach their customer relationships. His insights are sought worldwide, and he's often seen on stages around the globe as a keynote speaker, sharing his knowledge.
Vinay is a Non-Executive Director at Curo Housing Group, where he contributes his strategic expertise. He's also held pivotal senior leadership positions across various domains, from Customer Experience to Digital, and even as a Managing Director. Most recently, he served as the Chief Customer Officer at National Express.
Today, Vinay is the founder of Dhruva Star, an organization that specializes in transforming and redefining your customer experience. Their mission? To ensure more customers not only choose you but also recommend you and trust you. That's not just a competitive edge; that's a game-changer.
In our conversation with Vinay, we're going to delve into some pressing topics:
The challenges faced by Customer Directors, CX Leaders, and Chief Customer Officers as they strive to secure buy-in from stakeholders and budgets.
The pitfalls of relying on vanity metrics and the pursuit of NPS scores, which can sometimes lead to the wrong behaviors instead of fostering trust, loyalty, and advocacy.
The pivotal role of the Chief Customer Officer - what needs to be done by individuals and CEOs to ensure this role thrives and evolves in the UK.
Vinay's advice for companies and business leaders looking to inspire and nurture a more diverse and aspirational leadership team.
We explore the intersection of leadership, customer experience, and the ever-changing landscape of business.
If you would prefer to watch the full video you can do that here. 
#chiefcustomerofficer #chiefexperienceofficer #coo #ceo #customerservice #customerexperiencedirector #directorofcustomerexperience #vinayparmar #douglasjackson #theimpactroom

Episode 32 - Damian Kirk, COO and Director of Residential Services E.ON

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Impact Room podcast! Today, we have the privilege of featuring Damian Kirk, a seasoned Director at E.on with over 7 years of dedicated leadership in the Utilities and Energy sector. Damian's illustrious career is marked by his passion for people leadership, boundless energy, and a relentless drive for innovation.
In this engaging conversation, Damian, who is also set to become an author, joins Michelle Ansell, Managing Partner at Douglas Jackson, to explore a wide range of thought-provoking topics, including:
Authentic Leadership: Discover the essence of authentic leadership and why it's a critical factor in today's dynamic business landscape.
Wellbeing and Inclusion: Gain insights into the importance of fostering wellbeing and inclusion in the workplace, ensuring that businesses are not just successful but also nurturing environments.
The Future of Business: Explore the evolving landscape of businesses in the future, emphasizing mindset over traditional models and transforming the way we perceive people and customers.
Managerless Accountability: Dive into the innovative concept of a managerless, accountability-driven model. Damian sheds light on how to develop tribes and squads, where real organizational value stems from trust, empowerment, and agility.
Join us in The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson, where we continue to bring you exceptional, diverse, and impactful leadership insights and wisdom. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Damian Kirk and Michelle Ansell in this compelling episode that explores the future of leadership and business. The Impact Room – Where leadership excellence and profound wisdom are shared! If you prefer to watch the full session you can go here. 

Episode 31 - Nikki Powell,Director of Customer and Patient Experience, Sciensus (now Operations Director Capita)

Welcome to a special coffee break edition of The Impact Room podcast! Today, we're delighted to have Nikki Powell, Director of Patient Services and Experience at Sciensus (formerly Healthcare at Home).
Nikki is a seasoned professional with a remarkable track record in strategic contact center operations transformation and delivery. With a keen focus on customer experience, Nikki is known for her top-performing, profit-driven approach, consistently achieving year-on-year performance improvements. Her exceptional leadership skills, coupled with a deep understanding of business operations, have led to successful transformations, enhanced customer experiences, and innovative problem-solving.
In this casual and insightful chat, Nikki shares her wisdom and experiences over a coffee break. Join us as we delve into Nikki's journey and glean insights into her exceptional leadership style.
The Impact Room is your destination for diverse and impactful leadership insights, and this coffee break conversation with Nikki Powell promises to be both refreshing and informative. Stay tuned for a delightful session where we explore the art of leadership and wisdom in action.
Douglas Jackson, our sponsor, is a high-end retained executive search firm exclusively focused on consumer-centric businesses, delivering diverse and impactful leadership across various domains. Tune in and be inspired by the leadership wisdom shared in The Impact Room! If you would prefer to watch the full recording you can go here. 

Episode 30 - Ashleigh Ainsley, Co-Founder colorintech - Forbes 30 under 30

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Impact Room podcast! In this session, we have the pleasure of welcoming Ashleigh Ainsley as our guest.
Ashleigh is the Co-Founder of colorintech, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering diversity within the tech community. Through strategic partnerships with industry giants like Google, WPP, Microsoft, and Facebook, colorintech creates groundbreaking programs that provide ethnic minorities with access to some of the world's most innovative companies. Ashleigh, a graduate of Oxford University, has garnered recognition as a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee. He is a tech evangelist, strategic innovation consultant, and board advisor.
In this engaging conversation, Ashleigh will delve into a range of thought-provoking topics, including:
Building Inclusive Cultures: Learn how to create a more inclusive culture within your business, attracting and retaining diverse and ethnically underrepresented talent.
Workplace Motivation: Explore the reasons why individuals go to work and the factors that may be hindering diverse talent from applying to your business.
Modern Workplace Dynamics: Gain insights into how to effectively retain and nurture talent while addressing challenges such as the ethnicity pay gap.
Individual and Business Development: Ashleigh shares valuable insights and advice that can benefit both your career and your business, with a focus on enhancing diversity and opportunities in the workplace.
Join us in The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson, where diverse and impactful leadership insights and wisdom are shared. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Ashleigh Ainsley and gain valuable insights to drive positive change in your career and business especially when it comes to thinking about diversity.  If you prefer to watch the full session you can do that here. 

Episode 29 - Andrei Nita, Director of Data and Analytics

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Impact Room podcast, hosted by Perry Fletcher. In this episode, we are honored to have Andrei Nita, Director of Data and Analytics, as our special guest.
Andrei brings a wealth of expertise as a senior Data Leader who has served as a Director with Builder.ai. His track record includes conceiving, designing, and successfully delivering data, analytics, and technology strategies. Andrei has led numerous digital transformation programs, helping organizations gain a competitive edge by understanding their markets and customers, thereby delivering top-notch products and services to enhance customer satisfaction and shareholder value.
In this engaging conversation, you'll hear Andrei share his insights on several compelling topics, including:
The Biggest Opportunity in Data and Analytics: Discover what Andrei sees as the most significant opportunities within the realm of data and analytics.
Career Progression in Data and Analytics: Gain valuable advice from Andrei on how to advance your career in data and analytics and reach the esteemed role of Chief Data Officer.
Key Career Break: Learn about Andrei's most pivotal career moment and how it propelled him to where he is today.
Inspiration and the Secret Sauce for Future Data Leaders: Andrei shares what inspires him and unravels the essential ingredients for aspiring data leaders to thrive in the future.
Join us in The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson, where we continue to bring you exceptional, diverse, and impactful leadership insights and wisdom. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Andrei Nita in this thought-provoking episode and if you would prefer to watch the full video you can go here.