Have you wondered what ‘being strategic’ actually looks like? In this episode, you’ll hear a real, step-by-step example of what being strategic can look like in your day-to-day work. Host, Fay Wallis, is joined by Harriet Mewis, Head of People and Development, who shares how she spotted a small pattern in employee behaviour – and used it to uncover a much bigger issue affecting the business. What makes this conversation so powerful is how practical it is. You’ll hear how being strategic doesn’t ...
Apr 24, 2026•40 min•Ep. 169
If you’ve been working hard in your HR career but still feel unsure what will truly help you step up into an HR Director role (or have more impact in the one you’re already in), this episode is for you. You might have your CIPD qualification. You might have years of experience. You’re probably working incredibly hard. But those things alone don’t always lead to the impact, influence, or progression you’re aiming for. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I share the five key areas I’ve identified f...
Apr 10, 2026•15 min•Ep. 168
Is there something at work you know you’re capable of… but in the moment, your nerves take over? Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, handling a difficult conversation, or stepping into a high-pressure situation - that disconnect between what you can do and how you feel can be incredibly frustrating. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I share a simple but slightly unusual technique that can help you feel calmer, more in control, and more confident when it matters most. It's called 'distanced s...
Mar 27, 2026•15 min•Ep. 167
Could you be making the biggest HR strategy mistake without realising it? Creating an HR or People strategy can feel overwhelming - especially when many HR professionals are expected to do it without ever being shown how. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Dean Corbet t , Chief People Officer, psychologist, and coach, to explore one of the most common mistakes HR teams make when creating an HR strategy - and what to do instead. Dean shares why traditional HR strategy docu...
Mar 13, 2026•36 min•Ep. 166
Struggling to feel confident when Finance conversations come up at work? Been told you need to be "more commercial" but not sure what that actually means? In this practical episode, Commercial HR Coach Jo Bailey demystifies what it means to be commercial in HR and shares actionable advice to help you speak the language of business with confidence. You’ll Learn What "being commercial" actually means (and what it doesn't) Key financial terms explained: P&L, EBITDA, balance sheet, and cash flow...
Feb 27, 2026•37 min•Ep. 165
What does it really mean for an HR team to be “strategic” – and how can you make that shift without adding more to your workload? In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time , Fay explores a practical and accessible way to strengthen your team’s strategic focus: using OKRs – Objectives and Key Results. If you’ve ever felt pulled between operational demands and the bigger picture, this episode will help you think differently about how HR goals connect to organisational priorities – and how to make tha...
Feb 13, 2026•16 min•Ep. 164
Have you ever been told you’re “not strategic enough” after an HR interview – even though you know you are? In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time , Fay Wallis tackles one of the most frustrating pieces of feedback HR professionals receive when applying for Head of HR, HR Director, Head of People or People Director roles. In this episode, Fay breaks down what 'being strategic' means in a practical, accessible way and shares three simple but powerful ways to prove you’re strategic in your next HR...
Jan 30, 2026•15 min•Ep. 163
Do you ever leave a leadership meeting wishing you’d said something – only to replay it later and think, “Why didn’t I speak up?” In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores why speaking up in leadership meetings can feel so daunting (even when you know you have something valuable to contribute). She shares practical, realistic ways to build confidence in those moments. This episode is especially for HR and People professionals who find themselves second-guessing their ideas, worrying a...
Jan 16, 2026•17 min•Ep. 162
The start of a new year is the perfect moment to pause and think differently about goal setting, especially when you work in HR or a people role where expectations, pressure and emotional load can be high. In this episode, Fay Wallis shares her Triple Win Framework, a practical way to set goals that help HR and people professionals deliver real organisational impact, build career momentum and protect their wellbeing at the same time. If you want goals that feel motivating, aligned and supportive...
Jan 02, 2026•20 min•Ep. 162
Before we all sprint into 2026, I wanted to create this bonus episode to encourage you to pause and reflect on the year that's just passed. In it, I work my way through the 10 'Look Back to Look Forward' questions from the Essential HR Planner and share my own honest answers - including the achievements I'm proud of, the challenges I faced, what I learned, and the moments that shaped my year both personally and professionally. This episode includes reflections on expanding the Inspiring HR Leade...
Dec 31, 2025•43 min•Ep. 161
5 Brilliant HR Books That Deserve a Spot Under Your Christmas Tree! If you work in HR and you’re not sure what to ask for this Christmas – or you’d love to buy a thoughtful, genuinely useful gift for an HR colleague – this episode is for you. Fay Wallis shares five brilliant HR book recommendations she’s read this year. Each one supports HR professionals in a slightly different way – from building resilience and confidence, to shaping culture, developing better people practices, and setting your...
Dec 19, 2025•25 min•Ep. 160
What’s the best way to land your first Chief People Officer or CHRO role? In this episode, Fay Wallis breaks down the four most common routes that real CPOs have taken to step into the top people leadership job for the very first time. You’ll also hear short clips from several CPO guests who generously shared their stories and insights. You’ll hear about: Four routes into first CPO roles Internal discussions leading to job title changes Being headhunted by executive recruiters Strengthening your...
Dec 05, 2025•27 min•Ep. 159
If the idea of improving your business acumen feels intimidating, this episode will help make it feel achievable and clear. Host, Fay Wallis, breaks down what business acumen really means for HR and why it has nothing to do with being “naturally commercial” and everything to do with curiosity, awareness and understanding how your organisation works. To make building business acumen feel even more practical, Fay brings in insights from three recent Chief People Officer guests: Kanika Mehra, Jane ...
Nov 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 158
If you’ve ever wondered what truly separates an HR Director from a Chief People Officer (CPO) or CHRO, you’re not alone. It’s a common question, and after months of speaking with incredible CPOs for this series, a powerful theme kept coming up again and again. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares the one big difference that defines the step up, a shift that’s far more about mindset and perspective than job title. You’ll hear clips from Chief People Officers including John Sc...
Nov 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 157
Why do Chief People Officers need strong networks — and how can you build one that truly supports you? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Nebel Crowhurst, who’s featured on the HR Most Influential list several years running and has held senior roles with Virgin, River Island, Roche, and Reward Gateway. Nebel talks about the realities of being a CPO — the highs, the pressures, and how she protects her wellbeing — along with brilliant advice on building your own commun...
Oct 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 156
There’s so much more to becoming a successful Chief People Officer (CPO) or CHRO than experience alone - it’s about building the mindset, skills and plan that help you succeed and make an impact. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Dr Andrew Stephenson, Chief People Officer at Equiniti, who has held CPO roles in three major international businesses. Under his leadership, Equiniti has become a Top Employer in the UK, US and India, winning multiple CIPD and HR Excellenc...
Oct 10, 2025•54 min•Ep. 155
What does it take to land your first Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) or Chief People Officer (CPO) role – and succeed once you’re in it? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Nicola Lyons , Group CHRO at Getlink Group. With more than 15 years of international experience leading transformation and culture change, Nicola shares a wide range of valuable insights from her career. One of the highlights of this conversation is her clear, step-by-step advice on how to sec...
Sep 26, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 154
What does it really mean to be a fractional Chief People Officer (CPO) or Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) – and could it be the right next step in your career? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Lorna Bains, a hugely experienced HR and business transformation leader who has thrived as a fractional CPO for the past seven years. Lorna lifts the lid on what the role involves, why more organisations are choosing fractional HR leadership, and the habits and practices...
Sep 12, 2025•56 min•Ep. 153
How do you prove the true value of HR so the business takes you seriously – and appoints you as Chief People Officer? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Leah Carnegie, Chief People Officer at Lottoland. Leah shares her journey from VP of People to CPO, explaining how she made sure HR wasn’t just seen as a support function but as a vital business partner. As part of our special CPO/CHRO series – where each guest answers the same nine listener-chosen questions – Leah b...
Aug 29, 2025•51 min•Ep. 152
Could an interim Chief People Officer or interim Chief Human Resources Officer role be your perfect career move? In this episode, we explore what the job is really like, the skills that help you succeed, and how to decide if it’s the right path for you. HR Coffee Time Host, Fay Wallis, is joined by Dotty Day, an experienced interim CPO, strategy consultant, and founder of Nu Leaf (supporting ambitious businesses with fractional HR leadership and practical, people-first strategies). She’s also th...
Aug 15, 2025•55 min•Ep. 151
What if there’s no Chief People Officer role in your organisation - but you know it needs one, and you think you’re the right person for it? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Victoria Pounder, Chief People Officer at Moore Kingston Smith - a multi-disciplinary firm providing audit, accountancy, advisory and tax services to a diverse range of clients. Victoria shares her inspiring journey of growing with the firm over 14 years - from being the first Head of HR to HR ...
Aug 01, 2025•45 min•Ep. 150
What makes a job application for the Chief People Officer role stand out, how do you balance being strategic and operational in HR, and why is compassion such an important leadership strength? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Funmi Onamusi, Chief People Officer at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Funmi shares her inspiring and non-traditional journey to becoming a CPO - including the bold, values-led approach she took when applying for the role, and the imp...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 149
Which skills really make the difference at the top of the HR profession? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, you'll meet the brilliant Jane Beeston, Chief People Officer at Colart. With nearly 40 years of experience in HR – spanning generalist roles, transformation, and international work – Jane has a huge amount of insight to share. We learn from her about the shift from HR Director to CPO, what the role really involves, and how she’s built strong relationships with her CEO and board. Jane talks...
Jul 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 148
What does it really take to become a successful Chief People Officer – and how can you prepare for the step up? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Kanika Mehra, an inspiring CPO with over 20 years of global HR experience. Having worked in fast-paced environments ranging from global giants like Amazon to scaling organisations going through rapid transformation, Kanika shares what helped her make the move into a CPO role – and what it’s really like once you get there. From ...
Jun 20, 2025•58 min•Ep. 147
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to succeed as a Chief People Officer - or whether stepping into the role might be right for you - this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Host Fay Wallis is joined by John Scrooby, Chief People Officer at tech company Masabi. John shares honest and thought-provoking insights about what the role really involves, the challenges it brings, and how to navigate them. From taking ownership beyond your remit, to managing your wellbeing in a high-pres...
Jun 06, 2025•54 min•Ep. 146
Are you aiming for the top HR role - but not sure what being a Chief People Officer (CPO) actually involves, or how to get there? In this special launch episode of the new series of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD. Together, they demystify the CPO / CHRO role - exploring what it is, how it differs from other senior-level HR roles (like ‘Head of People’ and ‘HR Director’), and why it’s becoming more common across UK organisations. Dav...
May 23, 2025•38 min•Ep. 145
This episode is a little different from usual, as I’ll be sharing some exciting updates about the future of the podcast. After three and a half years of releasing episodes every week, I’m taking a short sabbatical to prepare for the next stage of HR Coffee Time - and I’d love your input to help shape it! In This Episode, You'll Hear About: [00:00] Why I'm taking a short break – Why now feels like the right time to pause and refresh. [02:10] The two key challenges I keep seeing in HR careers – Ho...
Jan 31, 2025•22 min•Ep. 144
After completing your CIPD qualification, it can be hard to decide what training to invest in next. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares four valuable and perhaps surprising training options to help you develop skills that will elevate your HR career: mediation, coaching, negotiation, and facilitation. You’ll hear extracts from earlier episodes featuring expert guests who explain each skill and its benefits. Fay has personally attended training with all the featured experts,...
Jan 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 143
Do you want to set yourself up for success for the year ahead? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Dr Ben Levy, creator of the ABCME® framework, to explore the five key factors that can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your goals. Dr Ben shares practical insights into how clarity, belief, motivation, and other essential elements influence success, helping you avoid common goal-setting pitfalls. Together, Fay and Ben discuss strategies for creating a ...
Jan 03, 2025•33 min•Ep. 142
As the year comes to a close, taking time to reflect on 2024 can be a wonderful way to celebrate your successes and uncover inspiration for your goals in 2025. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what didn’t go to plan or overlooking achievements, thanks to the negativity bias we all experience. Add to that the recency bias—where only the most recent events stick in our minds—and it’s no wonder we often lose sight of the bigger picture. In this episode, I’ll guide you through 10 po...
Dec 20, 2024•36 min•Ep. 141
