Inspiring Working Lives

What happens when the career you planned isn’t the career you end up having? Ian Pryce never expected to work in further education. After starting out in finance, his career took him into college leadership, where he spent 26 years as Principal and Chief Executive of Bedford College and later the Bedford College Group. In the final episode of Season 3 of Inspiring Working Lives, Ian looks back on the twists and turns that shaped his career, from his working-class upbringing and first-generation university experience to his journey into leadership. He also shares why education and social mobility have remained such important parts of his work, and the lessons he’s picked up along the way.

In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, Dan Taylor sits down with Megan Karnes, founder of HoardingUK, to explore the realities of hoarding, mental health and the power of turning lived experience into meaningful change.Megan shares her journey from volunteering in the mental health sector to establishing HoardingUK from her living room, building a national organisation dedicated to supporting individuals affected by hoarding behaviours and challenging common misconceptions along the way.Tune in to hear:•  How a career in mental health led Megan to found HoardingUK•  Why hoarding is about far more than clutter•  The challenges of changing perceptions and reducing stigma•  The importance of compassion, understanding and support•  Lessons from building an organisation with purpose and impact

In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, we speak with Hayden Taylor, Co-Founder and CEO of Unlock, about building a social enterprise dedicated to helping young people access opportunities, develop confidence, and achieve their potential. Hayden shares how a youth programme inspired him to launch Unlock at just 16, the lessons he's learned leading a growing organisation, and why mentorship, social mobility, and real-world experience are so important for the next generation.

What does it really take to make sure someone’s voice is heard? In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, Dan Taylor sits down with John Wheeler, CEO of Advocacy for All, for a conversation about leadership, but more importantly, people. John talks through his journey in a very down-to-earth way — from growing up in the Cotswolds, to travelling, working in community roles, and slowly finding his way into advocacy and leadership without ever really having a straight plan. Along the way, he shares the moments that shaped him, the mistakes he’s learned from, and why curiosity has played such a big part in how he leads today. They also get into what advocacy really means in practice — supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, navigating complex systems, and why listening properly is often harder (and more important) than it sounds. At the heart of it, this is a conversation about trust, responsibility, and the idea that good leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about making space for other people’s voices. 

In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, we speak with David Sollis, Chief Executive Officer of South East and Central Essex Mind, about community-led approaches to mental health and what effective leadership looks like in the charity sector. David shares his career journey across the public and third sector, including senior leadership roles in health, youth services, and mental health organisations. He also discusses the challenges facing mental health services today, and why stronger community connections are key to improving support and outcomes for people. Tune in to hear a thoughtful and practical conversation on mental health services, leadership, and the power of community to change lives.

In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, we speak with Angela Foulkes CBE, Chief Executive and Principal of The Sheffield College, about her journey from Vice Principal to CEO and what stepping into senior leadership in further education really involves. Angela reflects on moving into the CEO role without certainty, and the realities of leading a large FE college through periods of change, inspection, and organisational challenge. She shares honest insights into the early pressures of the role, building the right leadership team, and the importance of creating a strong, student-focused culture. She also discusses the wider value of further education, from transforming student confidence and opportunity to working closely with employers to prepare young people for the world of work.

In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, we speak with Trevor Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Acorns Children’s Hospice, about his route into hospice leadership and what the role involves. Trevor discusses the realities of running a children’s hospice, including financial pressure, complex decision-making, and the responsibility that comes with leading a large care organisation. He also talks about children’s hospice care in practice, from supporting families to creating meaningful moments for children and their loved ones. A straightforward, honest conversation about leadership, care, and the impact of doing work that really matters.