Career Stories from the Field

Ani Filipova from banking and finance to portfolio career.

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +0000

Today I had the pleasure of talking to Ani Filipova from Athens.

Ani's Career story

Ani tells a fascinating story, starting with a degree in banking and finance in Bulgaria, Ani worked her way up to be the COO at Citi Bank in Hong Kong. Just a few years ago Ani took the leap and now has a portfolio career – she’s a board member, founder, change advisor, investor, podcaster and coach. Wow, what else does she have time for! Listen in and find out.

Find out more about Ani here https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova/

Find out more about Penny and Think Forward here Penny Strutton | Executive Career & Leadership Development Coach (thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk)

Join the Careers Revolution facebook group here (3) The Career Revolution | Facebook

Dr Stewart Desson - from numbers to psychometrics meet the Founder of Lumina Learning

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +0000

Dr Stewart Desson, CEO and founder of Lumina Learning. Stewart talks about how he transitioned from working with numbers to people and how he now combines both interests in his work with psychometrics.

The path to Lumina Learning

13 years ago he made the leap and embraced his entrepreneurial ability to launch and grow Lumina Learning, now a global organisation. With a focus on selection and development, Lumina provides invaluable digital tools to organisations worldwide. Being a huge fan of Lumina, it really was an honour to have this time with Stewart.

To find out more about Lumina Learning visit www.luminalearning.com

Find out more about Penny and Think Forward here Penny Strutton | Executive Career & Leadership Development Coach (thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk)

Join the Careers Revolution facebook group here (3) The Career Revolution | Facebook

David Strang career - Offshore Director at BrandSafway from hands on engineering to leadership

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:01:00 +0000

David is the Offshore Director at BrandSafway, an international construction company.

David's career journey

David spent the first 21 years of his career working as a civil engineer, building bridges in the UK and Portugal. He shares a fantastic insight into transitioning from hands on engineering to leadership.

Career Change Tip

In every episode I will be sharing some tips and advice on how to approach a career change or embark on your career journey straight from education. You can find this during the middle of the episode or by using the timestamps below.

00:00 - Introduction

00:40 - part one

26:00 - career change tip

27:25 - part two

To find out more about Penny Strutton and Think Forward Consulting, please visit ⁠www.thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk⁠ or connect with me on ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennystrutton/⁠

If you would like to feature as a guest on the podcast, please do get in touch with Penny on ⁠⁠penny@thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk⁠⁠

Join the Careers Revolution facebook group here (3) The Career Revolution | Facebook

Nic Elliott - From University to qualified solicitor at Actons Solicitors

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 00:01:00 +0000

Nic is the Head of Dispute Resolution and Employment Group at Actons Solicitors based in Nottingham.

Nics career path and advice

Nic gives a great insight into the journey he’s taken from university to becoming a qualified solicitor, specifically in the line of employment law. Nic is also the host of the HRD talks podcast. https://www.actons.co.uk/thehrdtalks/

Career change tips

00:00 - Introduction

00:25 - part one

26:50 - career change tip

27:56 - part two

Find out more about Penny and Think Forward here Penny Strutton | Executive Career & Leadership Development Coach (thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk)

Join the Careers Revolution facebook group here (3) The Career Revolution | Facebook

Chris Orme career journey - from travel to sales.

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:01:00 +0000

Chris Orme is the sales director at Travelodge.

Chris career path

Chris has had a really interesting career, all centering around the travel industry. Chris’s passion for geography took him travelling around the world before he settled into a career of sales. He shines a light on just how important interpersonal skills are with building successful partnerships both with his team but with his customers as well.

Career Change Advice

00:00 - Introduction

00:30 - part one

19:55 - career change tip

21:20 - part two

To find out more about Penny Strutton and Think Forward Consulting, please visit ⁠www.thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk⁠ or connect with me on ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennystrutton/⁠

Join the private Facebook Group “The Career Revolution” here

⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecareerrevolution⁠

The host Penny Strutton - from TV to the environment and now career coaching and business psychology.

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:10:00 +0000

I was encouraged to share my own story and hope you enjoy the twists and turns I’ve taken to achieve my current role.

Penny's career journey

From television, to the environment to communities and now coaching/business psychology, I have always been inspired to make a difference. 13 years ago I was made redundant. This gave me the kick up the backside to make a big step change into the world of coaching, training and development, where I’ve now been running my consultancy for 12 years. It has not been an obvious or predictable journey but I certainly have found my vocation and loving it. I hope you find it interesting and look forward to any questions you might have.

To find out more about Penny Strutton and Think Forward Consulting, please visit www.thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk or connect with me on https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennystrutton/

If you would like to feature as a guest on the podcast, please do get in touch with Penny on ⁠penny@thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk⁠

Join the Careers Revolution facebook group here (3) The Career Revolution | Facebook

Matt Wilmot career journey from finance to retail to cyber security and IT

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Matt Wilmot is the Group Head of Enterprise IT & Information Security and has been part of Frasers’ journey for the last 2 years.

Matt's career journey so far

Matt started in Finance, moved into retail and then spent 5 years in PWC where he was National Retail Lead Cyber Security before moving to Frasers. Matt says he stumbled into the world of IT and Cyber Security but has clearly excelled and grown into an influential role in a FTSE 100 company. Focusing on his leadership, he is truly committed to lead, manage and inspire his team to challenge and progress.

Career Advice

00:00 - Introduction

01:35 - part one

25:40 - career change tip

26:38 - part two

If you would like to feature as a guest on the podcast, please do get in touch with Penny on ⁠⁠penny@thinkforwardconsulting.co.uk⁠⁠

Join the private Facebook Group “The Career Revolution” here

⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecareerrevolution⁠

Episode #11: Meet Gareth Emmonds, from Policeman to Head of People and Culture

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:05:31 +0000

This week I'm talking to Gareth Emmonds. Gareth spent the first 10 years as a police officer in London before transferring his skills to a world in human resources. He now holds the position of Head of People and Culture, for Wellbeing Software, a company that develops and maintains software for the health sector. Gareth's story shines a light on what skills and strengths you need to transition into a world of human resources and people development.

Episode #10 - Meet James O'Hare, from Telesales to Managing Director

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 10:54:18 +0000

This week I’m talking to James O Hare. James has recently taken up the position of Managing Director for Link Mobility – a Mobile Solutions and CPaaS provider. James started his career as a telesales operator then moved into a vast array of sales and account management roles. he was recently the Head of Sales and then General Manager for a high growth communications company. James shows just how avid learning and embracing new opportunities has helped him reach the top job.

#9: Meet Liz Wilson, From cold calling to Director in Digital Marketing

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:09:31 +0000

This morning I’m talking to Liz Wilson. Liz is the Marketing Director for a company called Ground Control. Her career started in an entry level sales and marketing role which grew, taking her to the States for a couple of years, then back to the UK where she held a Head of Marketing role and now her current Director position. Her story shines a real light on digital marketing and how to develop a career in this field.

Episode #8: Meet Paul Race - From IT to Operations Director in Manufacturing

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:34:17 +0000

Today, I’m talking to Paul Race. Paul is the Operations Director for an international manufacturing company. His career spans IT, logistics and operations and has taken him to the far east and Europe where he has managed large scale programmes. Paul’s story shows us that you don’t need a degree to get a top job, just a positive mindset, curiosity and an appetite for lifelong learning.

Episode #7: Meet Michael Moss - from Civil Engineering, to Berlin to Technology Operations Management

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 15:38:52 +0000

This week I’m talking to Michael Moss. Michael is the Head of Technology Operations at a scientific informatics software company. He started his career with a degree in civil engineering, then moved into a corporate focusing on quality assurance, before moving to Berlin, then Hong Kong to further his career and life experience. For the last 6 years, Michael has worked in project management and operations here in the UK. He, now holds this senior position in a fast growing company.

Episode #6 - Meet Vijay Tank, from Accountant to Director of Supply Chain

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 16:44:37 +0000

Vijay Tank is the Director of Supply Chain for one of the UK's largest Energy Supplier. Starting as an Accountant, Vijay has navigated his career through finance, consultancy and has for the last 10 years held Directorship roles in multiple departments within his current company. His story demonstrates how we can transfer our skills into various departments, embrace new challenges and expand our ability - if we have the right mindset and attitude.

Episode #5: Meet Gabin Sinclair-Constance. From a degree in Art and Media to Director for a National Charity

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 13:02:47 +0000

Today I'm talking to Gabin Sinclair-Constance. Gabin started his career with a degree in Art and Media, moved into teaching art and music then went onto gain a higher diploma in teaching. This role brought him into the charity sector where he now holds the position as Director for Programmes for the Charity, LEAP Confronting Conflict.

Episode #4: Meet Katrina Thorogood. From Purchasing Assistant to Global Director in Procurement

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 11:44:56 +0000

This week I’m talking with Katrina Thorogood. Katrina is the Director of Global Indirect Category Management at an international water solutions company. She started her career as a purchasing assistant whilst studying for a degree in business studies. She’s since moved upwards in procurement through a number of jobs and industries.

Episode #3. Meet Sarah Leigh - From Maths, to Analyst to IT Director (not to mention 3 children)

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 10:23:40 +0000

This week I’m talking to Sarah Leigh. Sarah is the IT Vice President for Global Applications at Wood Plc. Sarah started her career with a maths degree, then moved into a series of analyst roles before moving into IT and gaining a director position by the age of 31. She also has three children under six and has developed a great approach to balancing career and home life.

Episode #2. Psychology, Tax and Professional Services - Meet Paul Harrison

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 11:41:46 +0000

This week I'm talking to Paul Harrison.

Paul is a Director at one of the big four professional services consultancies. He started his career with a degree in psychology but moved directly into the Inland Revenue as a Tax Inspector. He's spent the last couple of decades at the professional services consultancy within the Tax Directorate.

Episode #1: From Military Jets to Strategy - Meet Barry O'Loughlin

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:12:52 +0000

Meet Barry O'Loughlin.

Barry started his career almost 30 years ago in the Military. As a child all he wanted do was fly planes in the RAF and worked hard to achieve his dream. After 15 years, he decided to move on into civilian employment. Although he'd built up a range of valuable skills, the journey to becoming the Chief of Staff and Strategy at one of Britain's leading government outsourced organisation is extraordinary. Barry is about to embark on another exciting transition as he moves into self-employment through a portfolio career - alongside achieving qualifications in mountaineering and Duke of Edinburgh mentoring.

Introducing - Career Stories from the Field

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 12:58:59 +0000

Welcome to the Career Stories Podcast - a place where you can learn more about real life career stories from the field.

Each week, I will bring to you an interview with professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds, fulfilling a vast array of careers!

When choosing a career or switching career, building your knowledge of other jobs and careers in the field is one of the first steps in starting your development journey.

This podcast aims to inspire you through giving deep, real life insight into an array of different jobs, to help invigorate and direct your career journey.

Please do subscribe and also let me know if there is a particular job type of career you want to learn more about!

Thanks for listening!