Canny Conversations Podcast by Safaraz Ali
91 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago -Canny Conversations Podcast by Safaraz Ali Social Entrepreneur, CEO of Pathway Group and proud Birmingham business leader, where he shares his insights and experiences on entrepreneurialism, having a growth mindset and getting the best out of people as well as useful information to help your grow your business, develop and build your team.
Canny Conversations has now completed over 50 episodes making an impact on UK business Podcasts and demonstrating how sustainable business can benefit. In the third series Safaraz speaks with journalist Adrian Kibbler as well as some great guests sharing their thoughts and insights. In the fourth series Safaraz shares his own individual thoughts again.
Canny conversations are intended to challenge and cannily captivate. Let us know if they do or otherwise!
The topics covered in these conversations range from individual biographies & life stories to industry specific conversations as well as all things self development, enterprise & entrepreneurship and that’s just for starters. Previously we have received very good feedback on a number of our podcasts with topics such as; the importance of people, how to recruit them and get the best from them. It explores what makes a good leader and how to build strong teams within a winning culture.
‘Don’t expect to agree with everything but remain open and challenged. There is plenty to ‘chew on’ as Safaraz might say.
Safaraz Ali is the author of Canny Bites books, the fourth book being the lates titled: ‘Successfully Scale Up or Exit Your Business’ which helps business owners and leaders know exactly what they need to consider when growing their business. It’s a workbook and a checklist for entrepreneurs to help put the foundations in place ensuring they have the right toolkits to make scaling an easier task.
https://safaraz.co.uk/
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Charlotte Bosworth-Managing Director of Innovate Awarding-Part 2
April 25, 2024 05:00 - 41 minutes - 57.5 MBIn this latest episode we return to Safaraz’s conversation with Charlotte Bosworth, the Managing Director of Innovate Awards. They return to the subjects of, skills development, education, and workforce evolution. Charlotte emphasizes the importance of adapting to employer needs, broadening support beyond formal qualifications, plus enhancing workforce recruitment and upskilling. They also touch on sector trends, challenges in endpoint assessments, and the need for stability in the educatio...
Charlotte Bosworth-Managing Director of Innovate Awarding-Part 1
April 18, 2024 05:00 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MBIn this brand-new episode of Canny Conversations Safaraz will be talking to Charlotte Bosworth, the Managing Director of Innovate Awards, an awarding organization making waves in the industry. Listen as Charlotte takes us through her journey, from a challenging upbringing to her impactful career choices. Discover the secrets behind Innovate Awards' success, Charlotte's dedication to serving clients, and the innovative approach to technology that sets them apart.
Sue Thexton - Managing Director at One File - Part 2
April 11, 2024 05:00 - 41 minutes - 57.2 MBIn this brand-new episode of The Canny Conversations Podcast, which is Series 5 Episode 30, We have the second half of Safaraz Ali’s conversation with Sue Thexton the Managing Director and EVP of One File, one of the technology leaders within the education sector. Their discussion continues, this week, looking at various facets of technology careers, industry challenges, and the broad spectrum of roles within technology companies. They will also be looking at the significance of diversity s...
Sue Thexton - Managing Director at One File - Part 1
April 04, 2024 05:00 - 46 minutes - 64 MBIn this brand-new episode of The Canny Conversations Podcast, Safaraz is in conversation with Sue Thexton, the Managing Director and EVP of One File, one of the technology leaders within the education sector. In the first half of their talk (you’ll be able to hear the second half next week), Sue discusses One File's history and growth, as well as their focus on apprenticeships. She shares her personal journey from graphic design to technology leadership, highlighting her experiences...
Jill Whittaker - The Executive Chair at HIT Training Ltd Part 2
March 28, 2024 06:00 - 44 minutes - 60.7 MBThis week we will be re-joining Safaraz,s conversation with Jill Wittaker The executive Chair of HIT Training Ltd. Jill shares her journey and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of listening, continuous learning, and surrounding oneself with talented individuals. She reflects on her organization's achievements, including being recognized as one of the top companies to work for in the UK. Jill also touches on the future of the sector, highlighting the need for inclusivity and talent ...
Jill Whittaker OBE - The Executive Chair at HIT Training Ltd Part 1
March 21, 2024 06:00 - 38 minutes - 52.8 MBIn this episode, Safaraz is in conversation with Jill Whittaker OBE from HIT Training, a long-standing advocate for the apprenticeship sector. In the first half of their two-part conversation, Jill shares her journey from growing up in the Midlands to receiving an OBE for her work in apprenticeships. The conversation delves into the importance of long-term skills planning, leadership development, and the impact of COVID and Brexit on the training industry. Jill also discusses initia...
Sharon Blyfield OBE - Head of Early Careers Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Limited - Part 2
March 14, 2024 06:00 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBIn the second half of their fascinating chat, Safaraz talks to Sharon about her involvement in Scottish apprenticeships and her role in chairing a commission on race in apprenticeships. They discuss the challenges faced by multicultural backgrounds in undertaking apprenticeships and the importance of industry partnerships. Sharon emphasizes the need for collaboration in the skills sector and advocates for fair wages and promoting social mobility. They also touch on the significance ...
Sharon Blyfield OBE - Head of Early Careers Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Limited Part 1
March 07, 2024 06:00 - 35 minutes - 49.2 MBThis week Safaraz is in conversation with Sharon Blyfield OBE, head of early careers at Coca-Cola Euro Pacific Partners. In the first half of this two-part chat, Safaraz and Sharon discusses her journey, her role at Coca Cola, and the organization's initiatives in apprenticeships, graduate programs, and stakeholder partnerships. Sharon will be emphasising the importance of nurturing young talent, sharing personal experiences, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in leadership roles. W...
Scott Parkin Part 2
February 29, 2024 06:00 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBThis week we hear the second part of Safaraz’s conversation with Scott Parkin from The Institute of Employability Professionals, they take a further look into the world of employability and professional development. In this half of their conversation, Scott reflects on his personal journey of growth and his journey as a leader over the past decade. He tells us about the evolution of his career, the innovative initiatives of his organization, and the outlook for the employability sec...
Scott Parkin Part 1
February 22, 2024 06:00 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBIn this episode we hear the first part of Safaraz’s conversation with Scott Parkin, from the Institute of Employability Professional. Scott and Safaraz discuss the growth and impact of the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) and how Scott's leadership has propelled the IEP into an international realm, offering membership opportunities, networking, and learning initiatives. The discussion delves into the significance of the Fellowship program, professional growth pathways...
Lucy Hunte Part 2
February 15, 2024 06:00 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBThis week, Safaraz continues his conversation with Lucy Hunte, the National Program Manager for Apprenticeships at NHS England. In this very insightful episode, Lusy reflects on her career journey and the impact she's making in the apprenticeship sector. She discusses the importance of mentorship, diversity in the workplace, and the challenges faced in promoting apprenticeships to SME employers. lucy's background in sales has equipped her with valuable skills to navigate the sector ...
Lucy Hunte Part 1
February 08, 2024 06:00 - 37 minutes - 52 MBThis week, Safaraz is in conversation with Lucy Hunte, the National Program Manager for Apprenticeships at NHS England. Safaraz and Lucy discusses her career journey working in apprenticeships, first at colleges and then moving to her current role at NHS England. She talks about how NHS England has embraced apprenticeships, growing from under 1,000 apprentices when she started in 2016 to over 150,000 now. Lucy discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing apprenticeshi...
Jonathan Foot Part 2
February 07, 2024 07:06 - 31 minutes - 43.9 MBIn this week’s episode of The Canny Conversations podcast, Safaraz talks to Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Compass Group UK and Ireland. In part one of their conversation, Saf and Jonathan discusses his role leading the apprenticeship program at Compass Group, the large food and support services company operating in sectors, including business, healthcare, and education. They discuss the Compass Group's "Mission to a Million" commitment to provide opport...
Jonathan Foot Part 1
February 06, 2024 08:45 - 30 minutes - 41.5 MBIn this week’s episode of The Canny Conversations podcast, Safaraz talks to Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Compass Group UK and Ireland. In part one of their conversation, Saf and Jonathan discusses his role leading the apprenticeship program at Compass Group, the large food and support services company operating in sectors, including business, healthcare, and education. They discuss the Compass Group's "Mission to a Million" commitment to provide opport...
Sophie Norris Part 2
January 18, 2024 06:00 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBWelcome back to the second half of this Canny Conversation, with our guest Sophie Norris, the Early Careers Manager at Bentley Motors, the iconic luxury car maker based in Crewe. In this episode, Sophie shares insights into her own career journey from studying events management in Manchester to her current role managing Bentley's early careers programs. Safaraz and Sophie go on to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Bentley as the business embarks on its 'Beyond 100' st...
Sophie Norris Part 1
January 11, 2024 06:00 - 27 minutes - 38 MBJoining us In this episode is Sophie Norris, the Early Years Career Manager at luxury carmaker Bentley Motors Ltd. Sophie was born and raised in Cannock in the West Midlands, but now calls Manchester home after attending university there. Safaraz will be talking to Sophie about her interesting career journey, from studying English Literature, to pivoting into human resources, eventually landing her "dream role" at the iconic British brand Bentley Motors where she now manages a po...
Kathryn Marshall Part 2
January 04, 2024 06:00 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBIn the second part of this Conversation featuring Kathryn Marshall, Senior Apprenticeship Manager at Lloyds Banking Group, Safaraz and Kathryn continue to explore the world of apprenticeships - the opportunities they provide for career development, the misconceptions that still exist, and the incredible impact they can have on people's lives. Kathryn shares insights from her own experience leading Lloyds Banking Group's apprenticeship programs. With over 1,100 apprentices across 38 ...
Kathryn Marshall Part 1
December 14, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBWelcome to this new episode the Canny Conversations Podcast with Safaraz Ali focusing on apprenticeships and talent development. This week we hear from Kathryn Marshall, senior manager of apprenticeships at Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK's largest financial services companies. In the first part of this two-part conversation, Safaraz and Kathryn explore how Lloyds delivers 30 different apprenticeship programs across customer service and specialist areas like finance and complian...
Jenny Pelling Part 2
December 07, 2023 06:00 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBIn this episode we hear the second part of Safaraz’s conversation with,, Jenny Pelling, Director of Apprenticeship Development and Diversity at Kaplan, the educational services company. In this continuation of their conversation, Jenny shares her journey in the education sector, from her part time role in HR that shifted into education, to rising up the ranks to become a director. They discuss some of the challenges apprentices face today, from imposter syndrome to struggles with w...
Jenny Pelling Part 1
November 30, 2023 09:47 - 37 minutes - 52.1 MBIn this episode, Safaraz is in conversation with Jenny Pelling, Director of Apprenticeship Development and Diversity at Kaplan, the educational services company. In part one of this two-part conversation, which will continue next week. The discussion covers Jenny's multifaceted role at Kaplan, a major global education organization seeking to increase access and opportunity. This includes governance, quality assurance, supporting apprentices, and collaborating with employers on eff...
Jan Richardson-Wilde CEO of OAL Part 2
November 23, 2023 06:00 - 42 minutes - 58.9 MBIn this inspiring episode, and the continuation of Safaraz’s conversation with Jan Richardson CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, they talk about her remarkable 35+ year career journey in education and training. Jan shares the challenges she faced early on as a young single mother yet persevered to gain qualifications and progress through roles from trainer to senior leader. She provides candid insights on juggling work and family, overcoming barriers and setbacks, and the importanc...
Jan Richardson-Wilde CEO of OAL Part 1
November 16, 2023 06:00 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MBIn this week’s episode, we hear the first part of Safaraz’s conversation with Jan Richardson-Wilde, CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, They chat about how Jan has lead the organization through huge challenges. When Jan took on the CEO role, the company was still small, with only 4 employees. Then just months into her tenure, COVID-19 hit. With the company's focus on food and drink, a sector that was decimated during this period, Jan talks about the difficult decisions and changes n...
Paul Eeles Part 2
November 09, 2023 05:00 - 35 minutes - 48.8 MBIn this week’s episode Safaraz continues his conversation with Paul Eeles, the CEO of The Skills and Education Group. We will be hearing how Paul has dedicated his career to championing skills, education, and social mobility. He shares insights from his varied professional journey, from starting as a chef to leading large organizations in the further education sector. Paul and Safaraz also talk about some of the key issues facing further education today. They discuss the challenges...
Paul Eeles Part 1
November 02, 2023 05:00 - 42 minutes - 58.2 MBThis week’s Canny Conversations Podcast features the first part of Safaraz’s conversation between him Paul Eeles, Group Chief Executive of the Skills and Education Group. Paul has been with the organization for 13 years, during which it has grown from a small regional membership body to a major national organization. In this wide-ranging chat, Paul traces his career journey from school into hospitality and catering, to becoming a lecturer, and eventually rising to his current leade...
Rachel Jagger-Thomas Part 2
October 26, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 43.9 MBIn this second half of our conversation between Safaraz Ali and Rachel Jagger-Thomas from JTL they talk more about diversity and inclusion within the building, engineering and services sector in the UK and how this can be improved and promoted. There is further discussion around the challenge of getting more women into technical trades such as plumbing and electrical work, which have historically been male-dominated fields. Rachel talks about the importance of role models and ta...
Rachel Jagger-Thomas Part 1
October 19, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MBIn this week’s podcast we have the first part of Safaraz’s conversation with Rachel Jagger-Thomas from JTL, national training provider in England and Wales for the electrical, plumbing and heating industries, and a member of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance. Rachel is the Diversity, Safeguarding and Inclusion Advisor for JTL, she has over 13 years’ experience working in equality, diversity and inclusion roles across higher education, further education and now in industry ...
Viren Patel, CEO Open University World Wide Part 2
October 16, 2023 11:22 - 41 minutes - 57 MBIn the second part of Safaraz’s conversation with Viren Patel CEO of The Open University Worldwide, They talk about Virens perspectives on leadership, diversity, and driving change. He discusses leading The Open University through the pandemic, embracing new technology like AI, and strategies to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world. Viren stresses the importance of empowering teams, coaching rather than micromanaging, to help employees reach their potential. Other topics t...
Viren Patel, CEO Open University World Wide Part 1
October 05, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 48.6 MBThis week Safaraz is in conversation with Viren Patel, CEO of the Open University Worldwide Viren Patel, CEO of the Open University Worldwide and Director of Apprenticeships and Partnerships at the OU. In the first half of this two-part conversation, Viren shares his personal journey as a refugee who came to the UK in the 1970s and overcame the challenges to become the first in his family to graduate with a degree. He discusses the mission of Open University to increase access to ...
Graham Hasting-Evans CEO, NOCN Group Part 2
September 28, 2023 04:00 - 39 minutes - 54.1 MBIn this second part of Safaraz's conversation with Graham Hastings-Evans of NOCN Group, they explore the state of play for the skills environment in more depth. Their chat looks at the speed of change and the current challenge for skills to keep up with the future needs of the economy when policy makers continue to plan for an economic past. Not only do employers, governments and training providers need to adopt more dynamic approaches in order for young people to leave college ...
Graham Hasting-Evans, CEO NOCN Group Part 1
September 21, 2023 05:00 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MBIn today’s episode, Saf begins a wide-ranging conversation with Graham Evans, CEO of the National Open College Network Group. In the first part of this two parts conversation, Graham recounts how his farming childhood and early career as a civil engineer in the global construction industry provided invaluable lessons that are still as powerful and relevant today in his role as CEO of an academic organisation. It is clear that no experience has been wasted for Graham but it has led h...
Jade Pearson, New Talent Manager from Seven Trent, Career & Talent Stories (Part.2)
September 14, 2023 06:00 - 36 minutes - 50.6 MBIn this second part of his conversation with Jade Pearson, New Talent Manager at Severn Trent, Saf and Jade explore good leadership and how to manage your own career. Jade draws on her own experience to explore culture and management styles, how to address performance, progression, challenges, and conflict at every level in the company. They look at the importance of how you can take control of your career and your situation, regardless of where you are. For any existing leader, t...
Jade Pearson, New Talent Manager from Severn Trent - Career & Talent Stories(Part 1)
September 07, 2023 06:00 - 31 minutes - 43 MBIn the first episode of this new series, (Series 5) of the Canny Conversations Podcast we hear Safaraz in the first half of his conversation with Jade Pearson, New Talent Manager for Severn Trent and member of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance. Their conversation explores apprenticeships as an important career option for young people, including practical advice and information about how to apply to Severn Trent. Saf and Jade explore how to stand out from the crowed in what c...
Series Review Part 3
February 17, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this week’s episode we take our final look back at some of the topics we have covered in the latest series of Canny Conversations, We have taken the important elements from these subjects and brought them down into a selection of bullet points for you to easily digest and guide you to the expanded versions in the relevant episode. We start with, where does emotional intelligence sit in your organisation? Is it valued? Does it make a difference? Then we touch on the power of c...
Series Review Part.2
February 10, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 38.7 MBIn this week’s episode we take another look back at some of the topics we have covered in the latest series of Canny Conversations, Strategic Overview, Change has Changed Pt.1, Change has Changed Pt.2 and Lean, Agile and Responsive. We have taken the important elements from these subjects and brought them down into a selection of bullet points for you to easily digest and guide you to the expanded versions.
Series Review Part 1
February 03, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.6 MBIn this week’s episode we take a look back at some of the topics we have covered in the first four episodes of this series, Who What Why, What We Deliver, Core Values and 15 Skills and Traits. We have taken the important elements from these subjects and brought them down into a selection of bullet points for you to easily digest and guide you to the expanded versions in the relevant episode
Focus and Resilience
January 27, 2023 05:00 - 17 minutes - 23.8 MBIn this episode Safaraz looks at, what we mean by focus and resilience and how important do we think these qualities are. There are occasions where you may have lost focus in your business life and here, he looks at ways to help you regain and remain focused. He also talks about how you would you define business resilience and can resilience result in stubbornness and failure to live in the real world.
Entrepreneurship, Business and Culture
January 20, 2023 05:00 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBIn this episode, Safaraz is in conversation with journalist Adrian Kibbler. They look at culture in all its forms and its effects on the way business is done, both for good and bad. They also look at how ethnic culture can affect career paths and busting some common myths regarding ethnic minorities and higher education.
Canny Bites - The Books
January 13, 2023 05:00 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MBIn this episode we once again move away from our usual format in order to focus on Saf’s Canny Bites business books. We hear extracts from the introductions from three of the Canny Bites audio books, read by Saf himself, 52 Bites of Business Wisdom, Another 52 Bites of Business Wisdom and finally Attract retain and grow your team to grow your business. Remember all these titles are available from Amazon of cannybites.co.uk/buy-the-book.
Beliefs, Views and Methods in Business and Life
January 06, 2023 05:00 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MBIn this episode Saf talks about his Beliefs, views and methodology and how they relate to not only business but life too. Looking at yourself using the mirror approach helps avoid blame and excuses and enhances accountability for your own actions; how your reaction when things go wrong impacts on the people around you, both to the good and bad, and how knowledge, in the wrong hands can be detrimental to everyone. Saf is a great believer in empowering people to become the best they c...
Apprenticeships- an opportunity for all?
December 23, 2022 05:00 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBIn this episode we step away from our normal format with a session recently recorded at the National Liberal Club in London in front of a live audience. Here Safaraz speaks with journalist Adrian Kibbler about the apprenticeships and skills landscape. He explores the impact of under representation of Black and Asian minorities within the apprenticeships route and how to address this in order to increase employment along with the Pathway Group’s role in driving better engagement with ...
External Stakeholders Feedback
December 16, 2022 05:00 - 20 minutes - 28.4 MBIn this episode Safaraz takes a look at the value of feedback from external stakeholders. Pathway regularly gets feedback from stakeholders and quality standard frameworks such as Investors in People, Matrix Standard, Awarding Organisations and funding and regulatory bodies, which Pathway Group review and act on. Here Safaraz explores the process and actions Pathway Group takes using examples of recent reviews and inspections to develop a roadmap for improvements and ensure the organ...
Peer Coaching and Support #peercoaching
December 09, 2022 05:00 - 19 minutes - 27 MB“When one person teaches two people learn” In this episode, Saf touches on the power of coaching in the development of individuals from new insights to new perspectives, peer learning is an important part of supporting colleagues and teams. Here he explores how powerful questions, the follow up questions and the role of peer support delivers stronger people, both individually and collectively.
Emotional Intelligence
December 02, 2022 05:00 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MBBuilding trust in the workplace is essential for the success of the company. Being able to build strong relationships that you can rely on is at the core of every professional relationship. Trust is the currency and is absolutely necessary in order to establish not only your own reputation but that of your department and grow a strong network of people who will help you throughout your career. No one person is responsible for the success of a company; it's a team effort. In order t...
Lean, Agile and Responsive.
November 25, 2022 05:00 - 18 minutes - 25.8 MBCreating High Performance in business by Safaraz Ali My go to quote for everything about team work and therefore peer challenge and support is: “we are not a team because we work together, we are a team because we make each other better” Each one of us has three key groups of people for leaning on for learning and supporting: Those ahead of us in a specific area Those at the same level as us Those behind us in a specific area When you get involved in peer challengin...
Change has Changed Pt.2
November 18, 2022 05:00 - 18 minutes - 25.7 MBIn this second part of Change has Changed, Saf explores if there is a right time for change and the challenges businesses face when they have no choice but to change: the way to manage risk, manage communications and to celebrate the journey too.
Change has Changed Pt.1
November 11, 2022 05:00 - 37 minutes - 51.1 MBIn the first part of this 2-part episode, How change has changed. He discusses how it feeds into quality, opportunity, and competitiveness along with the key role of people in making change happen. The insights change brings are fundamental to success, and outlines the signs of a successful business, strong governance, financial control, a clear view on what’s happening on the frontline, valuing customers as partners and moving beyond the transactional relationship. In turn there are...
Strategic Overview
November 04, 2022 05:00 - 17 minutes - 23.7 MBStrategic Overview - In this episode, Safaraz demonstrates how the companies’ mission, Changing lives through skills, along with their core values underpin their strategy. This builds on previous episodes but in itself provides a valuable insight into how a business develops a strategy for success.
15 Skills and Traits
October 28, 2022 05:00 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MBIn this episode Saf once again picks up on the culture and structure that make for a successful business that he began talking about in the last episode, Core Values This time he outlines the 15 skills and traits that build high performing individuals and high performing teams. So, weather you are listening to better understand how to improve yourself or whether you are a business leader looking for inspiration on how to build performance to underpin growth, there is plenty to take a...
Core Values
October 21, 2022 05:00 - 28 minutes - 38.8 MBIn this episode Saf talks about The Pathway Group’s core values that underpin their aspiration to change lives through skills and work. He highlights the power of authentically living the company and your own values and how these benefit everyone. From acting with intention through to building trust, The Pathway group behave in ways that are designed to empower the team, the people they support and their stakeholders and funders. This is a powerful way to build and maintain success....
What We Deliver
October 14, 2022 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MBThis week Safaraz talks about what the Pathway Group deliver and how the Group’s sustainable growth and success in delivery across the UK is underpinned by strong culture, common aims and language and well defined, well managed systems and processes.