Dr Abbey Atkinson joins Michelle Ansell to unpack the structural, cultural and historic forces that shape gender inequality in the UK insurance sector. Drawing from extensive doctoral research and her own industry career, Abbey explains why progress is slowing, what organisations misunderstand about EDI, and the practical steps leaders can take to build equitable, high-performing workplaces.

Topics include: • Why gender equality progress remains largely superficial • The “role habitus” concept and how powerful job structures resist change • Flexible working, burnout and why policy without culture doesn’t work • Sponsorship vs mentorship — and why women need both • Networking inequality and why it must be treated as an organisational skill • Data, diagnostics and the danger of misidentifying the problem • How insurers can take meaningful action within 90 days

For boards, HR leaders, and executives committed to building better systems — this episode provides grounded, research-led insight with clear recommendations.

Listen today - if you would prefer to watch the recording you can do that here: https://youtu.be/Ny8Ht-nfQxE

For more information on Abbey's thesis and company go here https://www.insightchange.co.uk/

Follow Abbey Atkinson here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbey-atkinson-phd-88460257/

If you are looking for a Executive Search firm with a passion for Diversity, learn more about Douglas Jackson and their work here. https://www.douglas-jackson.com/diverse-leadership-recruitment-hire-more-diverse-leaders/

In this episode, The Impact Room welcomes Thomas Moore, COO at Custom Connect, to discuss the realities of operational leadership and the evolving outsourcing landscape.

Thomas shares his journey from frontline call-centre agent to COO, offering practical insight into: • The leadership lessons that shaped his career • Why the mid-management layer is under pressure — and how to strengthen it • Behaviour-based hiring and building confident, capable leaders • Human-centred outsourcing and the shift away from AI-first thinking • Managing complexity: cyber threats, global instability and changing customer expectations • What clients should look for when choosing an outsourcing partner

Packed with grounded experience and strategic insight, this episode is essential listening for leaders in CX, operations, BPO, transformation and customer-led industries.

Listen now, or if you prefer you can watch the full recording here.

Learn more about Custom Connect here: https://www.customconnect.com/

Follow Thomas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-m-0659b84/

Learn more about Douglas Jackson for your Executive Search and Recruitment Leadership services. https://www.douglas-jackson.com/

In this episode of The Impact Room, Michelle Ansell is joined by Carole Layzell, an experienced banking, digital and customer leader who built her career from leaving school at 16 to becoming a Managing Director at Barclays before moving into NED and advisory roles.

Carole shares candid reflections on her 30-year career across Barclays, Nationwide, Salesforce and Medallia, discussing how customer experience, digital innovation, and people-first leadership shaped her approach.

She also explores what boards are really looking for today, how leaders can stay relevant, and why curiosity and continuous learning have been foundational throughout her journey.

We cover: • The realities of starting a career at 16 and navigating progression • Digital transformation and initiatives like Digital Eagles • What skills our leaders and future need now and what makes them future-ready • Why customer experience still defines organisational success • How Carole is approaching her new chapter as a NED and advisor

If you're interested in leadership development, customer strategy, banking innovation or building a portfolio career, this episode offers practical wisdom and real-world experience from someone who has lived it. Not sure whow to get the best from your own career then this is a must listen episode.

Powered by Douglas Jackson, helping organisations hire more diverse, impactful leaders who stay longer and perform better, for growth, scale and transformation.

If you would prefer to watch this episode you can do that here.

https://youtu.be/_pJd7fE1FAo

Connect or link with Carole. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-layzell/

Learn more about Douglas Jackson and their Banking Financial Services and Insurance Solutions for quality and professional Executive Search and Recruitment, helping you hire more impactful, diverse leadership for Permanent, Interim, NED and Fractional support. https://www.douglas-jackson.com/insurance-banking-and-finance-executive-and-professional-search-recruitment/