The Agile Diaries

Agile Business Consortium

Welcome to The Agile Diaries, a series where we share individual’s journeys in Business Agility so others can relate and see the many faces within this space.

  1. FEB 12

    Lifelong Learning and Employee Ownership with John Beattie

    In this conversation, John discusses his journey in family learning, the importance of finding fulfilment in work, and the privilege of being able to choose a career that aligns with personal values. He shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the significance of mentorship, and the role of feedback in professional growth. John emphasises the need for a culture of trust and transparency in the workplace and explains the concept of employee ownership as a model that benefits both employees and businesses. ----more---- John Beattie is the Director of Membership and Operations at the Employee Ownership Association (EOA), where he champions people‑powered business, and helps businesses unlock the benefits of employee ownership. With a career spanning education, culture, community learning and digital transformation, John brings a consistent passion for curiosity, communication and creating opportunities for others. Born and raised in the North East of England, he is known for his warm, human approach, his talent for making complex ideas accessible, and the joyful stories that follow him through his work, from widening participation to advocating for the power of employee‑owned businesses. Links to include: https://employeeownership.co.uk/ Campaign for Learning: www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk National Centre for Family Learning: https://nationalcentreforfamilylearning.org/ Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books: www.sevenstories.org.uk

    45 min
  2. 2025-12-04

    Agitating Change: Reframing Resistance and Making Sense of Transformation with Ket Patel

    In this episode of The Agile Diaries, Niamh Trundle speaks with Ket Patel, founder of Change Agitators and co-creator of The Change Chair. Ket shares insights from two decades in transformation, unpacking why organisations often misdiagnose “resistance” and how reframing it as sense-making creates healthier, more successful change.   They explore the relationship between agility and change, the importance of psychological safety, and how leaders can cultivate space, framing, and accountability for productive conflict. Ket also reflects on learning culture, the future of change professionals, and how scepticism, humility, humour, and collaboration will define effective change leadership in the years ahead.  ----more---- Ket is the founder of Change Agitators, an organisational change and coaching consultancy that helps remove the friction senior leaders often feel when implementing change. He is a Change Management Institute Accredited Master Practitioner with a specialism in building internal organisational capability and is also an Agile Change Management coach. He has over 20 years' experience leading operating model redesign, technology enabled transformation and leadership development programmes focused on culture and change capability. Ket along with his team of Agitators bring their pragmatic and honest mindset and their years of hands-on experience to shape the behaviours and process that will help your organisation to become truly adaptable to change.  https://www.change-agitators.com/  ket@change-agitators.com

    46 min

About

Welcome to The Agile Diaries, a series where we share individual’s journeys in Business Agility so others can relate and see the many faces within this space.