Northern Power Women Podcast

Join us for a conversation with Nickala Torkington, the inspiring force behind Flourish Together CIC, and a celebrated champion of women empowerment. Nickala, who recently won two awards, wields her passion for social change to uplift women, even under the shadow of a pandemic. She warmly shares her excitement at receiving the Leveling Up Award and her dedication to spreading positivity in her community. With the ten-year celebration of Flourish Together CIC on the horizon, Nickala’s commitment to sparking societal transformation is stronger than ever. As we delve deeper into Nickala’s work with Flourish Together CIC, we learn about their innovative programs, Time to Grow and their civic leadership program. These initiatives aim to develop women’s resilience to deal with societal problems, and partnerships and collaborations play a significant role in their success. Hear directly from Nickala how she and her team are empowering women, helping them to harness their potential and thrive in every aspect of life.

Join us for a heart-to-heart with Lyndsay Geraghty, who recently won our 2023 Mentor of the Year Award, and is the Senior Early Careers Manager at the BBC. Lyndsay shares her inspiring journey, from uncovering her passion for mentorship, to spearheading an Early Careers programme and sculpting young talent in the North.  Lyndsay discusses the wealth of young people with untapped talent in the UK and how we can create opportunities for them. She also tells us the powerful story of her own mentee, who is now a thriving mentor himself, underscoring the profound impact of mentorship on personal and professional growth.

Are you ready to stretch your perspective on careers, entrepreneurship, and leadership? This week we're thrilled to bring you a conversation with Lee Chambers, founder of Essentialise and GB Entrepreneur of the Year 2021. Lee's diverse career journey is a lesson in adaptability.Listen to Lee elaborate on his path, sharing the courage it takes to experiment and make bold transitions. Lee's journey is not only defined by his professional transitions but also his personal development. Through his work, he aims to challenge systems and societal norms, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Lee also reminds us that progress, rather than perfection, is key to making a meaningful impact.Listen to Learn: 

Ever wondered what your role in gender equality might be? Listen to this week's podcast with Andy Coyne, IT Director at Barclays, to find out. Together, we're rewriting the narrative on gender equality, placing the spotlight on the critical role male allies play. Andy shares his insights on the need to champion diversity and how every individual can contribute. Embarking on this exciting journey towards true gender equality isn't a solo venture - it calls for a collective effort where every action counts. This episode emphasises how we can collectively challenge our biases, create opportunities, and foster an environment of inclusivity. Listening, understanding, and resonating with the lived experiences of others is key to driving this change. Listen to learn:

Prepare to have your perceptions of menopause challenged as we sit down with Heather Jackson, co-founder of Gen M and proud Disruptor for Good at the Northern Power Women Awards. We dive into the amazing work she's doing with Gen M, a platform empowering women to take charge of their menopause journey instead of feeling overlooked and underserved.  Tune in to listen to Heather's powerful insights on how she’s flipping the script, encouraging brands to better serve this demographic, and ultimately, creating a safe space for women to make informed decisions about their health. This episode is an inspiring listen for anyone going through menopause, those who know someone who is, or simply those interested in creating a more inclusive society.Listen to Learn:

Ever wanted to step outside your comfort zone and make a difference in society? You do not want to miss this episode. Join Simone Roche MBE as she chats with Lauren Rosegreen, a policy and influence manager at MAC, trustee of Greater Manchester Merge Charity, and a young professional juggling numerous roles, who believes in the power of an equal society.Lauren's unconventional career path is a testament to her burning passion for social justice, and today, she invites us into her fascinating world. She shares the highs and lows of her journey, her unique coping mechanisms, and the rewarding experiences she's acquired in her numerous roles.Listen to learn:

Ever wondered what makes a leader truly inspiring? Tune into our enlightening conversation with Rosina Murdoch, a distinguished director at Deloitte, and recent recipient of the Large Organisation of the Year Award at the 2023 Northern Power Women Awards. We delve into the essence of effective leadership, focusing on the principle of the 'People Factor'. Rosina passionately talks about the importance of human connections, vulnerability, and empathy in the workplace. She candidly shares how prioritising family time has organically cultivated a greater sense of appreciation and understanding within her team.Listen to learn:

Who doesn't want to learn the inside secrets of building a high-performing team and navigating the challenges of diversity in the tech world? Buckle up, because Zoe Gill, Vice President for CGI UK Safeguarding and Identity subsector, is here to tell all. The secret to success is often found on the path less travelled - and Zoe is here to guide you.With over two decades of experience spearheading initiatives in the technology industry, Zoe will give you a peek behind the curtain, revealing the trials and triumphs that come with fostering diversity, leadership, and top-tier team dynamics. Whether you've been in the industry for years or you're just starting out, you won't want to miss out on this enlightening discussion. Listen to learn: 

Ready to redefine your traditional office culture? This episode promises a fresh take on the hybrid work model with our esteemed guest, Amy Williams, Chief Information Officer for Business Banking at Barclays UK. We explore how to create a world-class work environment and find the sweet spot between office and virtual working, all while attracting top talent. Key Takeaways:

Have you ever wondered about the power of diversity and inclusion to create change? This episode has all the answers! Our phenomenal guest is none other than Rebecca Loy, the Diversity and Inclusion Partner at National Museums Liverpool. Rebecca's journey is brimming with resilience, from growing up in an encouraging environment to losing her sister to sickle cell disease, an experience that fuels her mission to make the disease curable. Join us, as she unveils her inspiring journey and how she uses adversity to empower and help people reach their potential.We get a glimpse of Rebecca's role as a diversity and inclusion consultant and the shift she's noticed in people's attitudes over the years. She underscores the potency of language and the critical role of open hearts in embracing diversity. Hear about her future plans and how she aims to nurture a culture of acceptance. This episode is sure to leave you inspired, stirred, and armed with a fresh perspective on diversity and inclusion. T

Martina opens up about the immense value of harnessing resilience as a shield against stress, anxiety, and depression, a lesson painstakingly learned in navigating her own life's volatility.As a renowned cognitive behavior therapist, speaker, author, trainer, and health and wellbeing consultant, Martina's insights have been instrumental in promoting mental health and resilience. We navigate the tumultuous journey of her life marked by personal loss, and discover how she managed to build resilience amidst adversity. Martina brings her practical tips on mastering challenges and preparing to excel in public speaking. We take a deep look at the importance of maintaining connections in these times. Don't miss this enlightening exploration of professional and personal development. Sign up to our Power Platform to check out our events calendar here. Keep up to date on the latest news from We Are Power : Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook Sign up to our newsletter.

Maddie Birtwistle’s story is a powerful reminder to us all that taking risks and having confidence in our abilities can lead to unexpected places. Maddie, who is the Internal Communications Manager at the boohoo group,  explores her extraordinary career journey. From beginning in customer service to now being part of the legal department. She boldly breaks down the stigma around not having a university degree, proving that practical life skills and experience can lead to great success. Our conversation with Maddie is also a masterclass on overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Maddie pulls back the curtain on her own struggles, sharing how admiration from friends and guidance from managers helped fuel her success. She also touches on the crucial value of making a social impact, a key element of her role at boohoo. Join us as we engage in this empowering dialogue with Maddie Birtwistle, a true testament to the power of perseverance and a positive mindset.Sign up to our Power Platform to check out our eve

Ever wondered how having a mentor can change your career trajectory? Sophia's experience answers that, highlighting the incredible value of mentorship.The dynamic Sophia Iqbal joins us, sharing her fascinating journey through the tech industry, with all its victories and challenges. She's a beacon of resilience, having faced and surmounted many barriers common to early professionals, especially ethnically diverse women.  Sophia's journey will inspire and motivate you, shedding light on the importance of challenging barriers and advocating for diversity in the professional world. So, are you ready for an enlightening and inspiring conversation?Listen to learn:

Meet Gemma Sparks, the digital marketing executive who overcame obstacles and adversity to end up inspiring others in the realms of aviation. Drawn to the industry for its diversity and representation, Gemma's journey is one of resilience, hard work, and the impactful role of strong role models.Join us as Gemma transports us through her experience with the Fantasy Wings program, a pioneering initiative designed to introduce aviation to black and ethnic minority individuals and women. Recounting her transition from being labelled 'too quiet' to co-hosting a climate change conference, Gemma exemplifies true tenacity and determination. Her future plans? To inspire the future generation of leaders through a blog.Listen to learn:

Have you ever wondered about the impact young people can have on our society's future? Get ready to be inspired by our guest, the award-winning young changemaker Lella Violet Halloum. Lella's insights into the importance of youth voices, empathy, and inclusivity are not only thought-provoking, but a call to action for us all. We take a look at the world through the eyes of the youth, discussing the effects of the pandemic, the financial hurdles faced in accessing opportunities, and the potential of youth democracy and social media.Key Takeaways: 

Picture a world where AI propels us towards a future of gender equality - sounds compelling, right? With Laura, Georgina, and Hannah, we dissect the potential and pitfalls when it comes to AI and gender equality. Together, we brainstorm ways to rewrite the narrative for girls in tech, from harnessing the power of mentorship to challenging stereotypes with a simple pin badge. Our discussion navigates us through AI complexities, but it's not all doom and gloom, as we also uncover the silver lining: AI’s potential to create a fairer world with the right regulations.Key Takeaways:

"We've got this responsibility to almost create the leaders of the future that will set that workplace culture and and create a place where everyone feels like they're accepted at work and they want to show up to work and hopefully are a little bit like me, where they feel like, okay, I'm working in a dream now and I'm in this organization that really helps me to succeed."This week's podcast conversation with Simone Roche and Anastasia Womack, UK Head of Early & Emerging Talent at Capgemini, explores the challenges people in their early careers face and how we can combat those. Listen to learn:   ⚡ What Anastasia's role at Capgemini comprises of⚡️️️ What are the key ways in which we can support early careers⚡️Why making connections and mentorship is crucial for boosting your career⚡️ What advice Anastasia would give young people at the very start of their careerFind Anastasia  here. Sign up to our Power Platform to check out our events calendar here. Keep up to dat

“Maybe there's still a little bit of stigma around what the tech industry is and what that involves. And a bit of publicity around what roles there are and the diverse skill set that you need to be in tech, I think is probably gonna help us in the long term to get more women into the industry.”  This week's podcast conversation with Simone Roche and Jo Larby, Tech Architecture specialist at Accenture, explores the challenges woman face in the tech sector and how we can encourage more women to get involved.   Listen to learn:   ⚡ Why is the percentage of women working in tech still so low in 2023? ⚡️️️ What can we do to increase this number ⚡️What attracted Jo to the Tech sector ⚡How Jo uses her recent successes to help others Find Jo here. #PathToPower Sign up to our Power Platform to check out our events calendar here. Keep up to date on the latest news from We Are Power : Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook Sign up to our newsletter.

Remember... "Being human is about not being perfect"On this week's podcast conversation Simone Roche chats to the woman of wisdom Professor Laura Serrant OBE, who is global multi award-winning Leadership Development and Inclusive Practice Specialist, professional Speaking and Experience Coach and also a director of her own consultancy coaching business Laura Sarah Limited. Covering a wide range of topics from imposter syndrome to social justice this is an episode not to be missed.Listen to learn:   ⚡ What is Laura's theory around Imposter Syndrome ⚡️️️ How we 'ditch' Imposter Syndrome⚡️Why it is ok to be 'perfectly imperfect'⚡Silence Speaks: A concept created by LauraFind Laura here. #PathToPower Sign up to our Power Platform to check out our events calendar here. Keep up to date on the latest news from We Are Power : Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook Sign up to our newsletter.

“I don't really think about the fact that I'm a woman in football. What I think about is that I'm someone who works in the industry and I happen to be a woman. I appreciate that I have a huge responsibility as a role model for other women out there and for girls that want to think about a career and maybe aren't considering football because they see that it's not accessible.”  This week's podcast conversation with Simone Roche and Carol Stewart, Chief Executive of Grimsby Town Football Club, explores the challenges woman face in the football sector and how we can make a positive change for the greater good. Listen to learn:   ⚡ What it is like being a woman in football in 2023 ⚡️️️ How Debbie dealt with malicious comments directed at her on social media ⚡️Why Debbie joined Grimsby Town Football Club ⚡How do we influence and encourage more females to work in football  Find Debbie here. #PathToPower  Sign up to our Power Platform to check out our events calendar here. Keep up to d