In this episode, Martin is joined by two brilliant talent leaders: Tracy Chau, Vibe & Hire Lead at Simmons Bar, and Helen Robinson, Head of Talent, Belonging & Early Careers at Dunelm.

We dive deep into what it really takes to build a culture that sticks — and keeps your best people sticking around. Tracy shares how Simmons transformed its high-turnover hospitality culture by setting better expectations, hiring on kindness (not just cocktail skills!), and giving employees real growth feedback — even when it means helping them leave well.

Meanwhile, Helen lifts the lid on Dunelm’s “culture soup” — a recipe rooted in strong values, a feeling of belonging, and ongoing conversations with colleagues to make sure their experiences match the company’s ambitions. She unpacks how Dunelm ties DEI efforts directly to business outcomes, ensuring inclusion is baked into leadership and product decisions.

HR Unscripted is brought to you by TalentMapper and produced by Shake Content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin is joined by Guy Brazier (HR Director at AIS) and Rebecca Monk (Chief People Officer at Softcat) to explore what it takes to build high-performing, values-led cultures in growing organisations. From shifting legacy mindsets and rebuilding trust, to creating meaningful recognition strategies and maintaining leadership accessibility, this episode highlights the practical steps that make culture stick.

Guy shares how AIS moved from a top-down, siloed environment to one where employees helped define the values they now live and breathe. Rebecca offers insight into how Softcat keeps 2,700+ employees engaged through employee voice, consistent recognition, and a workplace people are proud to belong to. The conversation also tackles some of the bigger challenges HR leaders face today, from meeting diverse employee needs to balancing AI adoption with the human core of HR.

HR Unscripted is brought to you by TalentMapper and produced by Shake Content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily Morgan and Michelle Connon-Roodt join Martin for a conversation on how performance, skills, and career development are evolving in the modern workplace. Together, they unpack the shift from traditional performance management to performance acceleration, exploring how agile, honest conversations can drive both business results and personal growth.

The episode dives into the future of skills, the reality of non-linear career paths, and how organisations can empower employees to take ownership of their development. It also explores how businesses can better recognise and reward specialists, not just managers, and why emotional intelligence and learning agility are becoming critical currencies in a world reshaped by AI.

If you’re thinking about how to modernise your approach to talent, performance, and progression, this one’s for you.

HR Unscripted is brought to you by TalentMapper and produced by Shake Content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of HR Unscripted, Martin Mason is joined by Jo Smith (Chief People Officer at TalentMapper) and Anushka Davies (Global Head of Talent and Culture at Phaidon International) to explore what it really means to take risks in HR—and why it matters more than ever. From piloting new initiatives to using data as a safety net, they discuss how HR can balance innovation with pragmatism. The conversation also dives into equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), unpacking why real progress goes beyond policies and into culture, leadership, and belonging. Packed with insight, humour and lived experience, this episode is a must-listen for HR professionals ready to challenge the status quo.

HR Unscripted is brought to you by TalentMapper and produced by Shake Content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.