In this episode, Matt is joined by Michel Doppert, a seasoned continuous improvement leader with a truly global perspective. From early days in international law to becoming one of Europe’s first Six Sigma Black Belts, Michel’s journey is rooted in transformation, data-driven thinking, and an unwavering belief in the power of people. We explore what continuous improvement really means today, far beyond the textbooks and toolkits. Michel shares why mindset trumps methodology, how leadership is ab...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 52
This episode is all about real transformation, the kind that improves systems, empowers people, and makes a lasting difference. I’m joined by Iolanda Pereira, a proven CI leader with a track record of delivering serious impact across healthcare, logistics, and corporate sectors. From leading award-winning stroke pathway redesigns in the NHS to driving $2 billion in financial recovery in the global shipping industry, Iolanda brings a people-first, no-nonsense approach to improvement. We talk abou...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 51
In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of purpose, authenticity, and alignment with Margarita Giles-Martinez, a globally recognised coach who’s helped hundreds of women reconnect with their true selves. Margarita shares how a life-altering moment in 2019 led her to strip back the layers of expectation and rediscover her purpose, one rooted in inner peace and energetic truth. We explore how chasing conventional success can lead to burnout and why fulfillment comes from aligning your energ...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 50
In this eye-opening episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we go beyond traditional waste elimination and tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical inefficiencies in organisations—underutilised talent. Joining me all the way from Queensland, Australia, is the brilliant Adam Bean—a bold thinker, strategic disruptor, and expert in Kaizen culture and Lean transformation. Known for challenging conventional wisdom, Adam shares powerful insights on why so many organisations fail to tap into their e...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 49
In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean podcast, we welcome Nigel Richardson, an accomplished adaptability coach, to explore the vital theme of adaptability in leadership and organisational change. Drawing on Nigel's extensive experience across various industries, we delve into his journey towards recognising the importance of adaptability and how it shapes effective leadership. The discussion begins with an exploration of the psychological aspects of change management, highlighting the crucial role...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 48
In this special episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, the tables are turned as Matt Sims steps into the guest’s chair, with Burnout Queen Nicola McCrabbe at the helm. Nicola dives deep into Matt’s personal journey and his newly released book, The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader. The book chronicles Matt’s inspiring rise from a "disruptive" low-grade student who was written off by teachers to a respected leader on the global stage. Through candid reflections on his rollercoaster path to success,...
Nov 04, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 47
In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we welcome the legendary Paul Akers, renowned author and founder and president of FastCap, for a deep dive into the world of Lean mastery. Known for his revolutionary "2 Second Lean" philosophy, Paul has inspired countless businesses and individuals worldwide to embrace continuous improvement. From starting FastCap in his garage to expanding it into a global powerhouse, Paul’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we explore some of Lea...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this enlightening episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jan Otterbach, a distinguished business change leader and Vice President - Head of Process Transformation, renowned for driving strategic change across both commercial and technology sectors. Jan’s commitment to fostering collaborative, cross-functional approaches has made a significant impact on the organisations he has worked with. Jan reflects on his remarkable career, discussing his role in transforming sales and commercial ...
Aug 26, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this exciting episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we’re joined by the remarkable Donna O'Toole, founder of August Recognition and bestselling author of WIN!. Discover how celebrating success can transform your business as Donna shares her expertise on leveraging awards to boost morale, enhance credibility, and drive growth. 🔍 What to Expect: Strategic Insights: Learn how to effectively use awards as a tool for business development and employee engagement. Inspiration from the Top: Donna rev...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 44
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
Jul 17, 2024•27 min•Ep. 43
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
Jul 10, 2024•44 min•Ep. 42
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
Jun 13, 2024•15 min•Ep. 41
Join us in this inspiring episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast as we welcome Carl Appleton, Co-Founder of Shape Associates and a true advocate for technology-driven efficiency. Carl's remarkable journey from the Royal Navy to the Hampshire Fire Service and eventually to the Ports of Jersey as a Process Improvement Manager is a testament to the power of adaptability and seizing new opportunities. In this episode, Carl shares his invaluable insights on embracing continuous improvement, leveraging M...
May 28, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 40
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
May 22, 2024•30 min•Ep. 39
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
May 09, 2024•44 min•Ep. 36
Step into the realm of leadership mastery as we meet Katie Anderson, an international recognised author, leadership consultant, coach and professional speaker. Join us as we delve deep into purpose-driven leadership, continuous improvement, and it's importance in organisational culture. We uncover transformative insights from Katie's bestselling book, "Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn," hailed with international acclaim, including the prestigious Shingo Publication Award! In this episode, Kati...
May 06, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 38
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
Apr 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 37
This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence! In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business. We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into each award category. From the judges who meticulously study every su...
Apr 16, 2024•20 min•Ep. 35
Tune that dial for an inspiration fuelled journey through the epic saga of Fix Radio, a modern-day David battling the industry Goliaths in the realm of UK radio. Led by visionary Founder Louis Timpany and industry veteran, Director Paul Chantler. Fix Radio's rise from humble beginnings to national acclaim is a gripping tale of passion, perseverance and the power of innovation. Join Paul and Matt as they peel back the layers of this captivating narrative, uncovering the secrets behind Fix Radio's...
Mar 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Welcome to a transformative episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, where we delve into the fascinating world of sleep, stress management, and peak performance with the remarkable Alexandra Gibson. Join us on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as Alexandra shares her insights into optimising performance and well-being through the power of quality sleep and stress management. From her acclaimed clinics in London's Harley Street to virtual boardrooms, Alexandra's mission is clear: to optimis...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 33
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of personal growth and overcoming self-sabotage with the remarkable Ani Naqvi, Owner of the Ultimate Results Group. Ani's journey from surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami to becoming a leading voice in executive coaching and mentorship is nothing short of inspiring. With over 15 years of experience in C-suite leadership, Ani has honed her expertise in unlocking the full potential of individuals and organisations. Through her brillia...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In today's episode, we're crossing the Atlantic to introduce you to two industry trailblazers reshaping lean systems - Sean Fields and Dr. Michael Sanders. Their Quantum Lean (QL) methodology promises to revolutionise traditional frameworks, offering simplification on traditional Lean methods and accelerated and sustainable improvements, particularly in high mix, low volume scenarios. Join us as we delve into Quantum Lean with Sean and Michael, uncovering a fresh perspective that transcends conv...
Feb 12, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Embark on a riveting journey with our guest Daniel Astarita, Managing Director at Kesslers London, as he unveils the transformative tale of rebuilding a retail giant. From transparent communication to strategic risk-taking, Daniel's leadership principles breathe life into Kesslers' incredible resurgence—£0 to £15 million turnover in just 2.5 years! Join us to explore the power of customer connections, agile adaptation and the delicate balance between efficiency and employee well-being. This epis...
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Embark on an illuminating journey through the realms of manufacturing, leadership, and personal growth with David Savage, a seasoned leader and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). David's expertise goes beyond the pursuit of process optimisation; he is driven by uncovering the latent human potential thriving within the manufacturing landscape. With diverse roles in engineering, manufacturing and leadership, David discerned a profound correlation between refining operational processes ...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Prepare for an extraordinary episode on the Ever-So-Lean Podcast featuring the remarkable Aston Avery. An advocate for autism acceptance and mental health awareness, Aston shares his inspiring narrative. From overcoming childhood challenges with autism, health issues and bullying to emerging as a beacon of advocacy, a performer, presenter and confident radio host, Aston's journey is one of resilience and growth. Aston's remarkable story is not only an inspiration but a testament to his unwaverin...
Dec 18, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this ground-breaking episode, we unveil the transformative power of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with Tom Hughes, an industry luminary who has navigated multiple sectors with finesse. Tom, a seasoned professional rooted in Engineering and Lean Methodologies, opens the door to a world where SOPs are not just a corporate necessity but a strategic force for operational excellence. We kick off delving into the genesis of GEMBADOCS, Tom's brainchild born from a need to revolutionize SOP cr...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 27
On this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we embark on a profound exploration of Mental Health, Wellness, Resilience and Mindfulness with our esteemed guest, Bill Carson. Bill, a visionary leader in the sphere of mental wellness, brings a wealth of experience as an author, speaker, facilitator, and coach, dedicating his life to guiding individuals, businesses, and communities through the complexities of mental health challenges. Bill provides insights on: Mindfulness Mastery: Discover practic...
Nov 20, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Get ready for an extraordinary, bumper special episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast! In this episode (Part II), Matt takes you on a thrilling journey back to the unforgettable night of October 5th when the prestigious London Hilton Bankside played host to the UK Excellence Awards 2023. This wasn't just any celebration; it marked a momentous milestone as the British Quality Foundation (BQF) celebrated 30 glorious years as the Home of UK Excellence. Picture a night brimming with brilliance, dedicat...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Get ready for an extraordinary, bumper special episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast! In this episode (Part I), Matt takes you on a thrilling journey back to the unforgettable night of October 5th when the prestigious London Hilton Bankside played host to the UK Excellence Awards 2023. This wasn't just any celebration; it marked a momentous milestone as the British Quality Foundation (BQF) celebrated 30 glorious years as the Home of UK Excellence. Picture a night brimming with brilliance, dedicate...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Join Matt on this thrilling episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast as we embark on an enlightening journey through the transformative realm of Lean Agile, guided by the legendary Gene Lee, the mastermind behind the ground-breaking Lean Agile 5C's Methodology. In his exclusive conversation, Gene Lee, a true Lean and Agile luminary, reveals the inspiration behind his innovative creation and the key experiences that led to its inception. He explains how the Lean Agile 5C's Model is a fusion of Lean an...
Oct 23, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 23
