In this powerful episode of The Impact Room, Michelle Ansell sits down with the remarkable Donna Scully, Joint Owner and Director of Carpenters Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of legal and insurance services.

From the tenement streets of inner-city Dublin to the top of the UK legal sector, Donna’s story is one of courage, resilience, and unapologetic ambition. Leaving school at 16 with just GCSEs, she defied the odds and proved that social mobility isn’t just possible, it’s essential for building truly inclusive businesses and leadership teams that reflect the real world.

With refreshing honesty, Donna speaks about:

• Her working-class upbringing and the battles she faced navigating professional spaces.

• How she built her career without the “right” background or connections.

• Why we must rethink traditional hiring, qualification pathways, and what "professionalism" really looks like.

• How kindness, integrity and hard work still matter in today’s cutthroat business world.

💥 Donna's Quote: "I'm the social mobility poster girl. I’m grateful for every opportunity, and I’ve worked hard because I know how lucky I am – but it shouldn’t be about luck."

This episode is a must-watch for business leaders, HR professionals, educators, and anyone passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. Donna’s journey challenges us to see people’s potential beyond their postcode or qualifications and to rebuild access routes into business with heart, fairness, and intention.

💡 The Impact Room is brought to you by Douglas Jackson, a founder led, independent boutique recruitment consultant and Executive Search firm. We help organisations hire more impactful, diverse leaders who stay longer and succeed.

👉 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/6DAPJ9scVRc

Follow Donna here: (35) Donna Scully | LinkedIn

Learn more about Carpenters Group https://www.carpentersgroup.co.uk/

Learn more about Douglas Jackson and the regulated sectors we serve including, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance here. https://www.douglas-jackson.com/practice-areas-douglas-jackson-executive-search/

#TheImpactRoom #DonnaScully #SocialMobility #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipWithHeart #DiversityandInclusion #KindnessInLeadership #CareerInspiration #LegalLeadership #DouglasJackson

AI is everywhere – from Spotify recommending your next playlist to hospitals diagnosing conditions faster than ever before. But what does it really mean for businesses and leaders? In this episode of The Impact Room, Perry Fletcher talks with Ahmed Khan, Co Founder of vision AI an AI expert, technologist with over 20 years of experience, about separating hype from reality and finding the true value of AI.

Ahmed shares how companies can leverage AI for efficiency, strategy, and customer experience – and the pitfalls of adopting it blindly. He also explores cutting-edge uses in medicine, transport, and nanotechnology that show the future is already here.

Quote from Ahmed: “The biggest mistake is treating AI like a magic wand. Without strategy and the right data, it won’t work. Get those right, and it can transform your business.”

Whether you’re a CEO, COO, or future-focused leader, this episode gives you clear insights into what AI can do today – and what’s coming next.

If you would prefer to watch this episode go here: https://youtu.be/uZubTbvN3-c

Follow Ahmed here: (9) Ahmed M S Khan | LinkedIn

Learn more about Douglas Jackson, an independent boutique recruitment and Executive Search firm and how to hire more impactful leaders who stay longer and are more successful in AI, Data transformation, Operational Support, Tools Tech, Insight, Analytics and Resource Planning.

https://www.douglas-jackson.com/services-retained-executive-search-firm/

Welcome to The Impact Room, where we speak with the leaders shaping tomorrow’s organisations.

In this episode, Perry Fletcher, Operational Support Practice Lead at Douglas Jackson is joined by Chris Kenny, Digital Specialist at JDI Digital Transform Limited to discuss the crisis of trust facing regulated professions—and what good leadership looks like in today’s climate. Chris has spent over two decades at the intersection of regulation, risk, and governance, helping organisations rethink culture, compliance, and what it truly means to lead with integrity.

From AI to professional burnout, Chris doesn't shy away from the big topics. He challenges the status quo and offers a practical roadmap for leaders who want to create safe, inclusive, and trusted environments that withstand scrutiny and drive impact.

If you're in healthcare, law, insurance, or any highly scrutinised sector, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Follow The Impact Room for more powerful stories from the leaders creating meaningful change.

Follow Chris here https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kenny-0306312a

Prefer to watch the full episode, you can do that here. https://youtu.be/e2PO0sP-ISo

Learn more about Douglas Jackson Executive Search and Recruitment Consultant for Operations, Operational Support, including, Resource Planning, Analytics, Insight, AI, CX and UX. https://www.douglas-jackson.com/

Douglas Jackson Partner with organisations across sectors to identify and attract top-tier leaders and subject matter experts, whether permanent, fractional, or NED, who drive transformation, scale, or solve critical challenges. Operating at the intersection of Operations, Transformation, Growth, Customer, CX, Marketing, Digital and Operational Support, helping you hire high-impact leaders, C-suite, SVP, Director and subject matter, critical expert hires who stay longer and are more successful.

In this episode of The Impact Room, Perry Fletcher welcomes Charlie Adams, Director of Customer Success and Experience at Custom Connect, customer experience judge, running enthusiast, and author of It’s Just People: A Manager’s Toolkit.

Charlie shares the story behind his unplanned journey into customer experience, why he believes most managers overcomplicate what’s actually a people-first job, and how blending practical people skills with emotional intelligence can beat shiny AI promises any day.

Tune in for actionable advice on leading teams, handling real conversations, and staying resilient, plus why Charlie says, “If you want to lead well, just do the simple stuff better than anyone else.”

Learn more about Charlie here. https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleshsadams/

Get Charlies book It's Just People: A Managers Toolkit. https://amzn.eu/d/7S2ZHqQ

Prefer to watch this episode, you can do that here. https://youtu.be/N1wIq8UL5Kw

Discover more insights and explore Douglas Jackson’s work supporting leaders who make a difference at www.douglas-jackson.com

The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson is a Business, CX and Leadership Podcast

Hear from Founders, Thought Leaders, CEOs, COOs, Chief People Officers, Chief Customer Officers, Director of Customer Experience, Customer Success Directors, Managing Directors and Diversity and CX Advocates in this podcast designed to help inspire and share lived experiences, offering sound advice for your personal and career development and to help drive business success and elevate talent.

In this episode of The Impact Room, host Michelle Ansell, Managing Partner at Douglas Jackson, welcomes Becca Meadows — ex-Sandhurst Leadership Instructor, British Army Officer, and founder of She Thrives, a women’s health and leadership consultancy.

Becca reveals why so many leaders get resilience wrong, unpacking the harsh lessons from her time as a senior officer and principal advisor for UK Defence and NATO. She explains why true resilient leadership demands more than self-sacrifice and how ignoring wellbeing quietly erodes performance at the top.

Becca’s unique blend of military leadership, coaching expertise, and passion for nutrition and lifestyle medicine offers powerful, practical takeaways for any leader wanting to perform at their peak without burning out.

Key quote:

“Resilience isn’t a badge you’re born with — it’s a muscle you train, and if you neglect it, it will weaken.”

This is essential listening for forward-thinking employers, CEOs, HR Directors and aspiring resilient leaders across sectors.

Contact Becca Meadows - https://beccameadowsnutrition.co.uk/

Follow Becca On Linkedin (7) Becca Meadows | LinkedIn

Learn more about the Rekjavic Index Reykjavik Index | My Site

Follow The Impact Room for more real conversations with leaders who challenge the norm and drive real change:

Douglas Jackson - The Impact Room

The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson is a Business, CX and Leadership Podcast

Hear from Founders, Thought Leaders, CEOs, COOs, Chief People Officers, Chief Customer Officers, Director of Customer Experience, Customer Success Directors, Managing Directors and Diversity and CX Advocates in this podcast designed to help inspire and share lived experiences, offering sound advice for your personal and career development and to help drive business success and elevate talent.

Why Playing It Safe Is Holding Housing Innovation Back with Stewart Davison

In this episode of The Impact Room, Michelle Ansell is joined by Stewart Davison, Managing Director of Elehan Consulting and Founder of Proptech Peer Group, currenlty Vice Chair of Elim Housing.

Stewart shares his deep insight into how the housing sector can and must evolve to meet today’s challenges.

From launching his own SME peer proptech network to calling out the sector’s aversion to risk, Stewart brings a bold and human-centred perspective on innovation. He talks about the urgent need for culture change, psychological safety for intrapreneurs, and rethinking how we approach digital transformation and customer value in housing.

“If we want people to innovate, we’ve got to make them feel safe to fail, safe to try. Otherwise, we’re just managing projects, not creating progress.”

Whether you're in housing, proptech, innovation, or leadership, this episode is essential listening.

Follow Stewart Davison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-davison-msc-0581b36/

Elehan Consulting https://elehanconsulting.co.uk/

Learn more about Douglas Jackson: https://www.douglas-jackson.com/the-impact-room-podcast-from-douglas-jackson/

Sandra Thompson: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Business

In this episode of The Impact Room, Michelle Ansell speaks with Sandra Thompson, founder of EI Evolution, TEDx speaker, and the UK’s first certified Goleman Emotional Intelligence Coach. Sandra is the Author of the inspired Shine Bright The EQ Journal and the Emotiontional Intelligence Pawdcast which features humans and their four legged friends and stories. Sandra unpacks the transformative power of emotional intelligence (EI) in leadership, exploring how it fosters trust, resilience, and meaningful connections in the workplace.

Sandra shares practical strategies for building EI, including journaling, practicing gratitude, and creating psychological safety within teams. She explains how leaders can use EI to improve both customer and employee experiences, leading to stronger engagement and better business outcomes.

Highlight Quote from Sandra Thompson: "Emotional intelligence isn’t just a leadership tool—it’s a life tool that helps us connect authentically, adapt effectively, and inspire others to thrive."

Top Tips You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence and how to build it.
• How to cultivate psychological safety to empower your team.
• Using EI to create exceptional customer and employee experiences.
• Practical habits like gratitude journaling to develop resilience and focus.

Whether you’re a leader, a manager, or simply curious about the role of emotions in business success, this episode provides actionable insights to help you lead with empathy and authenticity.

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more expert conversations!

#EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #CustomerExperience #PsychologicalSafety #SandraThompson #TheImpactRoom

Learn more from Sandra.

https://www.eievolution.com/

Connect with Sandra here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cxeisandra/

The Shine Bright EQ Journal

https://eievolution.etsy.com

The Emotional Intelligence Pawdcast Episode with Michelle, Digger, Dozer and Atos

https://youtu.be/ZFXuQGyWNb8?si=-biPv8rURSdnkSyZ

The Emotional Intelligence Pawdcast Channel

https://youtube.com/@theeipawdcast?si=W3Ror1rAe7hExkhd

The Impact Room is bought to you from Douglas Jackson Executive Search Firm who help you hire more impactful, diverse leaders who stay for longer and are more successful.

www.douglas-jackson.com

In this thought-provoking episode of The Impact Room, Perry Fletcher, Practice Lead Planning, AI Analytics and Insight sits down with James Bell, a technology leader with over two decades of experience in IT, AI, and data analytics. Formerly Data Enablement and Operations Director at News Corp, James has also held influential roles at Dow Jones and KPMG, shaping strategies in AI risk, governance, and innovation.

James shares his journey from leading AI initiatives to debating Google on the global stage about the future of AI. He offers valuable insights into the commoditisation of AI, the importance of governance, and how organisations can reduce manual burdens while adopting transformative technologies.

Hear how James used AI tools to upscale old travel footage into a stunning 4K short film, blending technology and creativity in a unique way.

Quote from James Bell: "AI offers unprecedented opportunities, but true success lies in pairing innovation with governance and putting people at the centre of the process."

This episode is perfect for business leaders, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the intersection of AI, data, and strategic leadership.

Listen now on The Impact Room!

Prefer to Watch? You can see the full video here: https://youtu.be/TJXWGgpSLCc

Douglas Jackson can be found here. https://www.douglas-jackson.com/

Connect with James here https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesjbell/

#AI #DataAnalytics #Leadership #JamesBell #Innovation #Podcast #TechLeadership #TheImpactRoom

The Impact Room from Douglas Jackson

Hear from Chief Customer Officers, Chief Data Officers, CEOs, COOs, Director of Customer Experience, Customer Success Directors, Managing Directors and Diversity and CX Advocates in this podcast designed to help inspire and share lived experiences, offering sound advice for personal and career development.