#BITBPodcast

Bravery in the Boardroom

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Our Founder, Monique Carayol, sits down with guest speakers to talk all things 'Bravery in the Boardroom'.

18/12/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep.24 with Adeshola Akanji and Samantha Ming

Join us for an inspiring and essential conversation with two powerful advocates and leaders from Barts Health NHS Trust Samantha Ming, Group Inclusion Manager & EDI Business Partner Lead and Adeshola Akanji, Outpatient Transformation and Efficiency Project Manager, Co-Chair for the Disability Network (BartsAbility), Wellbeing Champion, and Inclusion Ambassador. As Black women living with disabilities, Samantha and Adeshola share their personal journeys of self-advocacy, leading with empathy, bravery and driving transformative change in the workplace with #BITBPodcast host Monique Carayol. This episode dives into the crucial intersectionality of race, gender and disability. Learn practical strategies for understanding your rights, overcoming career barriers like workplace bullying and the vital role of lived experiences in shaping policies that genuinely support employee well-being. Their stories are a masterclass in resilience, authenticity and creating truly inclusive organisational cultures. This is a must-watch for: Leaders, HR/EDI professionals, individuals interested in disability advocacy and intersectionality and anyone seeking to foster a more empathetic and supportive workplace. Related Links Neurodiversity Stories: 'How Am I Still Standing? I Nearly Died'" - YouTube BartsAbility podcast: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-BartsAbi... Samantha Ming's TEDx Talk: Empowering Dyslexics; Rewriting Scripts To... Connect with Samantha: Samantha Ming | LinkedIn Connect with Adeshola: Adeshola A. | LinkedIn About Bravery in the Boardroom At Bravery in the Boardroom, we believe that inclusive leadership requires bravery. We’re building the Bravery in the Boardroom movement to increase diversity in senior leadership, so that boardrooms are more representative of the communities and staff they serve.

49 min
18/09/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 23 with Suzy Levy

As we mark National Inclusion Week, this #BITBPodcast episode dives deep into what it really takes to create inclusive cultures in our boardrooms and beyond. 🎙️ This week, Monique Carayol is joined by the brilliant Suzy Levy - bestselling author of Mind the Inclusion Gap, experienced board member, and trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating some of the most complex challenges in diversity and inclusion. In this honest and insightful conversation, Suzy shares her journey from management consulting to becoming a leading voice on inclusion. She unpacks why inclusion is a skillset, not just a trait, the difference between being “nice” and being truly inclusive, and the practical framework leaders can use to drive real change: knowledge, empathy, and action. 💡 Suzy also reflects on her own experiences in boardrooms, the challenges of navigating cultural and gender norms, and how leaders at every level can build the confidence and skills to influence inclusive decision-making. This episode is packed with powerful insights, real-life stories, and practical advice that leaders can put into action straight away. It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to be part of creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. 📖 Explore Suzy’s book Mind the Inclusion Gap, which has a brand new prologue in the edition released this month: Policy Press: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/mind-the-inclusion-gap Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/mind-the-inclusion-gap/suzy-levy/9781447379287 🔗 Connect with Suzy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzylevy/ At Bravery in the Boardroom, we believe that inclusive leadership requires bravery. We’re building the Bravery in the Boardroom movement to increase diversity in senior leadership, so that boardrooms are more representative of the communities and staff they serve. Looking for more Bravery in the Boardroom? ➡️ https://linktr.ee/BraveryInTheBoardroom

1h 2m
28/08/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 22 with Simon Massie-Taylor | Sports Edition

This special Sports Edition of the #BITBPodcast brings you an honest and powerful conversation about leadership, crisis management, and representation in the world of rugby. 🎙️🏉 We’re joined by Simon Massie-Taylor, CEO of Prem Rugby, who opens up about leading through unprecedented turbulence, balancing the needs of fans, clubs, investors, and government, and why diversity in boardrooms is key to the sport’s future. In this inspiring and candid episode with our host, Monique Carayol, Simon reflects on: 🖤 Steering Prem Rugby through the challenges of the pandemic and club administrations. 🖤 Why transparency and openness matter most under public scrutiny. 🖤 The emotional reality for fans who see their club as part of their identity. 🖤 Lessons in resilience, communication, and avoiding an insular leadership mindset. 🖤 Why representation in rugby leadership is both a social and commercial priority. From becoming the youngest board member early in his career to stepping into the CEO role during one of rugby’s toughest chapters, Simon’s reflections shine a light on what brave leadership really looks like when every decision is under the spotlight. At Bravery in the Boardroom, we believe that inclusive leadership requires bravery. We are building the Bravery in the Boardroom movement to increase diversity in senior leadership, so that boardrooms are more representative of the communities and staff they serve. Looking for more Bravery in the Boardroom? Visit ➡️ https://linktr.ee/BraveryInTheBoardroom Connect with Simon ⬇️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-massie-taylor-a4015119/

45 min
14/08/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 21 with Nabil Jamshed

As we near the end of South Asian Heritage Month, we're continuing to spotlight and celebrate senior leaders of South Asian heritage. Bringing you the latest #BITBPodcast episode, which features the insightful and purpose-driven Nabil Jamshed in an honest and thought-provoking conversation. 🎙️ A huge thank you to Nabil for joining us and sharing such clarity, wisdom, and honesty in this powerful episode. In this conversation with our host, Monique Carayol, Nabil takes us through his inspiring journey - from arriving in the UK as an immigrant and graduate, to overcoming early career challenges just to secure his first NHS role. He shares who and what helped him along the way, the pivotal advice that shaped his path, and how his specialist expertise in risk management and corporate governance led him into the boardroom. 💬 With over 20 years of board-level experience in public health and social care internationally, Nabil has a proven track record in embedding governance frameworks that strengthen transparency, accountability, and organisational resilience. At the time of recording, Nabil was about to step into his new role as Director of Corporate Governance at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Nabil’s reflections are not just about governance as a system, but governance as a force for fairness and inclusion because, as he says, “Governance matters the most - at least to me.” 📄 Explore Nabil’s thought leadership: Recovering Risk Management – Good Governance Institute: https://www.good-governance.org.uk/publications/insights/recovering-risk-management Governance & Wicked Challenges in Healthcare – Better Boards: https://better-boards.com/governance-wicked-challenges-in-healthcare/ Defining Health Management – EHMA: https://ehma.org/defining-health-management-article/ Connect with Nabil ⬇️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabiljamshed/ At Bravery in the Boardroom, we believe that inclusive leadership requires bravery. We are building the Bravery in the Boardroom movement to increase diversity in senior leadership, so that boardrooms are more representative of the communities and staff they serve. Looking for more Bravery in the Boardroom? Visit ➡️ https://linktr.ee/BraveryInTheBoardroom

47 min
18/07/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 20 with Shajeda Ahmed MA FCIPD

#BITBPodcast featuring the brilliant and trailblazing Shajeda Ahmed, Chief People Officer at Black Country Integrated Care Board, is now live! 🎙️ A huge thank you to Shajeda for joining us and bringing such honesty, resilience, and authenticity to this deeply moving conversation. 🌟 In this episode, Shajeda sits down with our host, Monique Carayol, to reflect on her powerful journey as a Bangladeshi Muslim woman navigating leadership in the NHS. Starting her career in private sector HR within the manufacturing and retail industries, Shajeda has since spent over 25 years in NHS HR, and she shares how her upbringing, lived experiences, and values have shaped her brave, unapologetically authentic leadership style. 💬 From leading workforce wellbeing through the pandemic to driving equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies and mentoring future leaders, Shajeda is a passionate advocate for creating inclusive systems where everyone can thrive. Tune in to hear how she’s challenging the status quo, building fairer workplaces, and paving the way for underrepresented professionals in healthcare leadership. 🖤 Connect with Shajeda ⬇️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shajeda-ahmed/ Looking for more Bravery in the Boardroom? Visit ➡️ https://linktr.ee/BraveryInTheBoardroom

43 min
30/06/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 19 with Andy Callow

#BITBPodcast featuring the insightful and inspiring Andy Callow, Chief Digital & Transformation Officer at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, is finally here! 🎙️ A huge thank you to Andy for joining us in our temporary podcast home and bringing such honesty, reflection, and thought leadership to this powerful conversation. In this episode, Andy joins our host, Monique Carayol, to share his journey into proactive allyship - sparked by George Floyd’s death and reading White Fragility - and how it continues to shape his leadership approach today. 🧠 As Executive Sponsor of the Reach Network at NUH, Andy discusses creating space for underrepresented voices, including shadow committees, open office hours, and using WRES data to drive action. He also speaks about his collaborative and "expectant" leadership style and the importance of understanding privilege and leading with intention. Tune in to hear how Andy is championing equity, inclusion, and Boardrooms that reflect the communities they serve. 🖤 Connect with Andy 👇🏼 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/andycallow.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@andy_callow Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-callow-profile/ 🔗 Links to items mentioned in this episode: Read Andy's blog mentioned here Further information on Yvonne Coghill's 7As of Allyship Model White Fragility by Robin Di Angelo

37 min
30/06/2025

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 18 with Wallace Sampson OBE

To mark #RaceEqualityWeek2025 we had the privilege of welcoming Wallace Sampson OBE to the #BITBPodcast. Wallace was one of very few Black local government chief executives when he joined Harrogate Borough Council as chief executive in August 2008 and served in that role until local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire in April 2023. Wallace was also awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2020 for services to business and the community in Yorkshire. Since stepping back from his chief executive role, Wallace has developed a diverse portfolio of responsibilities supporting both public and private sector, higher education as well as non-government organisations including: Non-Executive Director - Harrogate and District Foundation Trust Hospital Chair- Middlesbrough Independent Improvement Advisory Board Commissioner - Local Government Boundary Commission for England Public Sector Advisory Board Member - Commercial Services Group Limited Lay Governor - University of Leeds Advisory Board Member - Local Government Centre for Digital Technology Tune in to hear Wallace’s insights on leadership, representation, and creating Boardrooms that reflect the diverse communities they serve alongside how he progressed his career to CEO whilst leading authentically. Connect with Wallace Sampson OBE ➡️ / wallace-sampson-obe-490a4713 #BITBPodcast is hosted by Monique Carayol, Co-Founder of the Bravery in the Boardroom movement, which focuses on seeing Boardrooms more representative of the communities and people they serve. Each episode features inspiring Senior Leaders and Changemakers sharing their insights and experience on what it takes to lead bravely at the highest level and drive large-scale change whilst building inclusive cultures. For further information on Bravery in the Boardroom ➡️ https://linktr.ee/BraveryInTheBoardroom

57 min
25/10/2024

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 17 with Gilbert George

The latest episode of #BITBPodcast is now live, featuring the inspiring Gilbert George, Executive Director of Corporate Governance at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, in honour of #BlackHistoryMonth2024! 🎙️ You don’t want to miss it! In this conversation, Gilbert sits down with our host, Monique Carayol, for a deep dive into leadership, sharing his 20+ years of experience in public sector leadership. He reflects on the importance of staying true to your heritage, values, and authenticity, even while navigating senior leadership as a Black professional in the UK public sector. 💪🏽 Gilbert opens up about the impact of his St Lucian roots, how his upbringing shaped his leadership style, and the role of inclusive, merit-based leadership in the NHS. He also shares practical advice on breaking through glass ceilings, the power of mentorship, and fostering a more inclusive future for leadership. 🖤 Tune in to hear Gilbert's insights on leadership, representation, and creating Boardrooms that reflect the diverse communities they serve. 📣 Connect with Gilbert ➡️ https://bit.ly/3NDqjdt Looking for more episodes of Bravery in the Boardroom? Visit ➡️ https://linktr.ee/BraveryInTheBoardroom

32 min

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Our Founder, Monique Carayol, sits down with guest speakers to talk all things 'Bravery in the Boardroom'.

Creator

Bravery in the Boardroom
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Show Website

#BITBPodcast

#BITBPodcast

Episodes

#BITBPodcast: Ep.24 with Adeshola Akanji and Samantha Ming

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 23 with Suzy Levy

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 22 with Simon Massie-Taylor | Sports Edition

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 21 with Nabil Jamshed

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 20 with Shajeda Ahmed MA FCIPD

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 19 with Andy Callow

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 18 with Wallace Sampson OBE

#BITBPodcast: Ep. 17 with Gilbert George

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