106 episodes

Welcome to Is This Room Free? In this podcast I will be talking to HR professionals and listening to the stories of their careers. I will be finding out about the journeys they have taken and what they learnt along the way. The purpose is to help others in the profession identify and understand the various paths available and take inspiration from my guest speakers. Whether you are someone who is looking to get that first step on the HR career ladder or an aspiring HR Director, I hope you get value from these conversations.

Is This Room Free‪?‬ Martin Drake

    • Business

Welcome to Is This Room Free? In this podcast I will be talking to HR professionals and listening to the stories of their careers. I will be finding out about the journeys they have taken and what they learnt along the way. The purpose is to help others in the profession identify and understand the various paths available and take inspiration from my guest speakers. Whether you are someone who is looking to get that first step on the HR career ladder or an aspiring HR Director, I hope you get value from these conversations.

    Lisa LLoyd & Gemma Ellison (Leadership Labs - a unique approach to helping leaders grow)

    Lisa LLoyd & Gemma Ellison (Leadership Labs - a unique approach to helping leaders grow)

    We have a first for the podcast - it's the very first time that I've had two guests feature on one episode.I'm joined by Gemma Ellison and Lisa LLoyd who are both returning guests from this series. Since my recording with Gemma in October 2023, the pair have teamed up to create Leadership Labs which provide a truly unique approach to helping leaders tackle issues and drive change.Both highly passionate about workplace culture they also recognised that the general formats for Leadership d...

    • 1 hr
    Jane Ferre - Talent Management Strategist (helping frustrated companies revolutionise their talent management agenda quickly and easily)

    Jane Ferre - Talent Management Strategist (helping frustrated companies revolutionise their talent management agenda quickly and easily)

    My guest this episode is Jane Ferre who is an expert in all things Talent Management.Jane is such a fun and engaging individual who is prolific on LinkedIn so connect with her on there if you aren't already.Like many she didn't know what she wanted to do after university but secured a job at Euro Disney in Paris soon after it opened resulting in her dancing in the parade as Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast and having the time of her life!Eventually she moved to British Airways where she spen...

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Lisa LLoyd - from Primary School Teacher to workplace culture Consultant

    Lisa LLoyd - from Primary School Teacher to workplace culture Consultant

    My guest this episode is Lisa LLoyd who could be considered an unconventional guest for me to have on. Whilst Lisa hasn't worked in HR per se, the work she does feeds into the HR ecosystem. In the spirit of bring as broad a variety of people from the HR world onto the show then her story definitely warrants a place here.Lisa studied Psychology at University, not knowing exactly what she wanted to do but feeling it would be something that could help her in whatever vocation she did ultima...

    • 52 min
    Julie Spicher - HR Admin to Head of People & Culture in 8 years

    Julie Spicher - HR Admin to Head of People & Culture in 8 years

    I'm joined in this episode by Julie Spicher who is Head of People & Culture for energy company Leep Utilities in Manchester.I've know Julie about 8 years when she was a HR Administrator and have watched her career flourish at quite a rapid rate over that time. Even back then she was someone who stood out so it's not surprising that her career has rocketed.I wanted to get Julie on to share her story so we could try and discover what it is about her that has enabled such fast-tracked career...

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Steven Ingram - Tackling neurodiversity but in a way to make it a better situation for everyone

    Steven Ingram - Tackling neurodiversity but in a way to make it a better situation for everyone

    My guest for this episode is Steven Ingram who worked for the bulk of his HR career doing consultancy before launching his own business, Neurodiversity Together, in the summer of 2023.Steven has ADHD, autism, and a stammer. What I absolutely love about him and what you'll realise from this conversation is that he approaches discussions on neurodiverity in a different way. It's a more holistic and inclusive way for all concerned rather than focussing simply on any singular individual.Having go...

    • 1 hr 9 min
    Simon Schumann-Davies - the most experienced and complete HR person I've EVER interviewed!

    Simon Schumann-Davies - the most experienced and complete HR person I've EVER interviewed!

    I've often referenced the HR Bingo sheet through various podcast episodes. That's the list of everything you can do in the HR spectrum and ticking off as many as you can.Well I think this episodes guest is the first person I've ever met who can probably stand up and shout "HR BINGO!"I was incredibly thrilled to be joined by Simon Shumann-Davies for this 101st episode.I would class Simon as being in the top percentile of HR professionals, simply based on what his market rate would be if he wer...

    • 1 hr 11 min

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