The Culture Builders

The Culture Builders - The Cost, and Solution to the Wellbeing Revolution

At the end of 2024, Jane and Chris - co-founders of The Culture Builders - took time to reflect on the seismic shift that's taken place over the last ten years. Many organisations have successfully built employee care and wellbeing programmes that encourage people to bring their whole selves to the business, and provide them with a wealth of support options to tackle issues of health, stress, inclusion and life events.
 
We wholly support this, and long may it continue. However, we are also seeing how these new, high levels of employee care and support are impacting those expected to enact them. Managers and leaders. They are groaning under the weight of the increased responsibilities, and many feel they simply do not have the time, knowledge or experience to cope successfully.
 
In this podcast, the hosts bring this topic to life, looking at the impacts, but also the solutions to ensure people can stay 'In the Black' and manage their wellbeing and work as teams to use the support on offer to create understanding and activity that supports everyone. There's no simple answer, but there are plenty of simple steps - hear more about The Bank of Me.

Change Maker Episode Nine - Andrew Moultrie

In this episode, Jane and Andrew talk about the impact of taking care of yourself, using your support network, and leading with trust, openness and clarity during transformation. They reflect on the lessons learnt throughout the years and discuss the importance of taking people with you on a journey of discovery and belief. 
With a diverse career working with organisations such as Nike and PepsiCo before joining the BBC 11 years ago, Andrew has experienced change at many levels from restructuring, growth transitions and efficiency based changes. 
He and Jane share stories and experiences from throughout their careers, discuss the journey from middle manager to CEO and the importance of nourishing yourself properly - for your health and sanity! Andrew also shares his advice to his 20 year old self, his biggest learning from his career, and the one thing he believes people should lead with.

Change Maker Episode Eight - Steve Thorn

For episode eight of our Change Maker podcast series Jane Sparrow and Steve Thorn are sharing their tips and advice for navigating and leading change. 
Talking intentionality around tone, language used and managing pace - for yourself and those around you - Steve and Jane draw on their shared experiences and leave you with a whole host of tools and tips to guide you on your change journey too. 
They discuss the need for a flexible mindset vs a fixed one, the importance of having a network of change agents, and the different responses people have to change and how to approach them. 
Packed with advice, this is not one to be missed.

Change Maker Episode Seven - Pip Smith

In our latest podcast episode, Jane Sparrow is in conversations with Pip Smith, Director of Strategic Change & Portfolio at @ Currys, to talk about all things change leadership. Talking lessons and moments from their combined experiences of leading change.
Pip shares her top lessons from 17 years experience in transformation; the importance of linking to the vision, sharing proof points and trophy moments along the way, and understanding the differences between the people within your organisation. 
Listen now to hear stories of successful change, and a time when it’s not gone so well.  Learn from Pip and Jane’’s experience, with top tips to take you through your next transformation programme.

Change Maker Episode Six - Andy McGoff

As part of our in-depth change maker podcast series Jane Sparrow speaks to Andy McGoff, Director of Finance and Operations at Edinburgh Napier University.
With a rich bank of knowledge and involvement in all levels of change from start up scale to large scale, he stresses the importance of keeping a golden thread of trust throughout, investing time in your teams and creating an environment where you can be honest with one another (even if it’s not necessarily what they want to hear!). 
Andy and Jane explore lessons learnt from his diverse career and the work they’ve done together.  They discuss the importance of leading with honesty and unpack his top learning from past experiences.

Change Maker Episode Five - Asha Amster

In this episode, Jane Sparrow discusses all things transformation with Asha Amster. She has a rich career, working in various transformation and business roles, for a range of multinational companies, largely in TV and Entertainment.
Asha talks about the importance of the sector, how many people escape through entertainment during change, and the value of joy and immersion during your down time. 
Jane and Asha share insightful tips and lessons learned and reflects on the leadership qualities and skills that help Asha to lead during change. Spoiler - emotional intelligence, vulnerability and active listening are top of the list!

Change Maker Episode Four - Sam Tewungwa

Sam Tewungwa, Managing Director at UKTV and President, UK Region BBC Studios, joins Jane Sparrow for the latest Change Maker podcast. Sam is currently leading the UKTV Digital transformation and has a wealth of experience leading change throughout his rich career. 
In this episode, they talk about their shared passion for remembering the human side of change, the importance of looking for feedback from all across the business and ensuring alignment throughout the change process. 
Listen now to hear Sams top three leadership learnings.

Change Maker Episode Three - Charlotte Eaton

Jane Sparrow is joined by Charlotte Eaton, CPO & Customer Experience at OVO Energy, for the next instalment of our change maker series to reflect on her key change leadership lessons through her sparkling career.
Charlotte covers the importance of investing in relationships, connection and intentionality when leading change. Find out how she got her fingers burned and listened to some tough feedback that has shaped how she understands the context of others and manages her own human Bank of Me. And, hear her killer change lesson toward the end!  We love our work with OVO and so are thrilled to share Charlotte’s insights. 

Change Maker Episode Two - Carrie Cushing

Episode two of our Change maker podcast series - Jane Sparrow is joined by Chief People Officer at at EXA Infrastructure, Carrie Cushing. 
Carrie and Jane discuss the need for connecting change to your day to day life and your stakeholders. Carrie shares how she's learned the power of connecting change to each individual's context and taking the time to help people make sense of it. She's seen a better reaction that way - all lessons we advocate through our work too.
 
Listen now to hear more on Carrie's personal change journey and lessons from leading change throughout her career. There's some wonderful nuggets within!

Change Maker Episode One - Phil Rumbol

Kicking off our series of Change Leadership Lessons, Jane Sparrow is joined by Phil Rumbol 
Phil is a Non Exec Director and advisor who has held many Senior Marketing and Commercial roles within Cadbury, Whitbread, Bahlsen, AB InBev. 
Listen now to hear some of the lessons and strategies learnt from leading change and Phils valuable advice to others who are about to embark on their own change journey.
Phil talks about the need for a ‘clear narrative about what you're doing, the change you’re trying to drive and why you are doing it,’ and keeping in mind that ‘whether it’s 10 people, 100 people or 1000 people, different people need different things during change’