Sara Catterall, Strategic Command Warrant Officer, brings passion, purpose, and people-first thinking to the heart of Defence. With a leadership style rooted in inclusion, curiosity, and psychological safety, Sara is reshaping what it means to lead in today’s military landscape. In this episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, speaks with Sar…

Get Curious Before You Get Critical – with Siobhán Sheridan Leaving school at 15, Siobhán Sheridan CBE has forged a remarkable career through grit, learning, and deep curiosity. Now Chief People Officer at the Financial Conduct Authority, she brings decades of experience across the financial sector, Civil Service, and Defence, specialising in organ…

⚠️️ Trigger Warning ⚠️️ This episode contains discussion of suicide. If you're affected by the themes and need support - resources are listed below or available on our website. After a 40-year career in the British Army, Baz Melia MBE has taken on one of the most urgent and emotionally complex missions of his life: tackling veteran suicide. Now lea…

As the first non-military Chief of Defence Intelligence, Adrian Bird is bringing a fresh perspective to one of the UK’s most high-stakes organisations. Appointed in September 2022, he draws on decades of experience in the intelligence community, including his time as Director-General at GCHQ. At the heart of his leadership? A commitment to fosterin…

From the Situation Room to the boardroom, Caitlin Hayden’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. With a background that spans the U.S. Department of State, the National Security Council under President Obama, and now a senior leadership role at BAE Systems, Caitlin brings a wealth of experience in public affairs, international relations, and…

For the past four years, Paul Carney has served as the British Army’s Command Sergeant Major, acting as the critical link between senior leadership and soldiers on the ground. Thoughtful, passionate, and deeply committed to the people he represents, Paul has worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of those often unheard, shaping a culture of learni…

The Culture Colonel is back. And we’re still asking the questions that matter. What makes a leader? What shapes a culture? And what happens when we stop pretending everything’s fine? In Series 2, our podcast host Lindsay MacDuff returns with more honest, powerful conversations about leadership, identity, and the culture we create around us. This ti…

Welcome to our series finale where we share the highlights from our Leading Storytellers event. You'll hear how and why we make the podcast as BFBS Creative's Head of Content Alex Griffiths puts The Culture Colonel, Lindsay Macduff and Senior Audio Producer Josella Waldron on the spot in front of a live audience. You'll also hear Alex in conversati…

What's improved the lived experience of women in the Armed Forces over the last two decades? Warrant Officer Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson knows and she's pushing for more longer term change. Sim is a Royal Air Force Logistics Movement specialist. She is the Deputy Advocate for the RAF’s Gender Network and she's on the committee of the Healing Military Mind…

Reverend (Group Captain) Ruth Hake is the Royal Air Force’s Deputy Chaplain in Chief. Here she shares her remarkable journey to becoming a Royal Air Force padre; not least her reticence to be a vicar. Ruth discusses the unique role of chaplains in the Armed Forces and their vital work to provide pastoral and spiritual support. Ruth reflects on the …

Tim “Grimmers” Grimley is a Captain in the Royal Navy who unexpectedly became the Lead Ally to the Naval Servicewomen’s Network, a role which has opened his eyes to the experience of women in the Armed Forces. From ill-fitting kit to poor supplies of period products, Grimmers is always keen to learn about the difficulties servicewomen are faced wit…

Olympian, Doctor and Army Reservist, Dr Kerenza Bryson’s achievements are super impressive. This year she's been a full-time Modern Pentathlete. She is the current European champion and represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in Paris. Alongside elite sport, she is a qualified doctor and an officer in the British Army Reserve. Evidently Kerenza ha…

Lieutenant General Richard Nugee served for 36 years in the Army and in the Ministry of Defence. He spent many years on operations and he specialised in the people space; finishing as Chief of Defence People. He also led a review into climate change policy and sustainability in the Ministry of Defence. Richard’s knowledge and understanding of effec…

Toni Harding is an Aeronautical Engineer in the Royal Navy. She is a STEM Ambassador, mentor and works with the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces rugby team – often wearing leopard print heels! She is a thoughtful, energetic, positive disruptor who, after only four jobs in the Royal Navy, has been making big waves. Toni has oceans of moral courage and …

Nick Wood’s military service was dominated by 20 years of operations and defined by the privilege of leading, and following, remarkable people. His transition out of the Army coincided with Covid which complicating the challenge of landing well. Now he is leading differently in professional services. Nick reflects on the honour of leading and the i…

Former England netballer Major Jo Vann is a Regimental Second in Command in the Army Air Corps. She's also a coach, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur. Jo tells Lindsay how sport and teamwork has enriched her life. She revels in creating cohesive teams and recognises the importance of celebrating and valuing difference – in elite sport and in t…

Dr Balissa Greene is an award winning organisational psychologist with substantial leadership experience in large complex organisations. Her focus is on diversity, inclusion and culture change. Balissa's knowledge and experience of the British Army is profound. Furthermore, her thought leadership is impressive. Her wisdom and commitment to evidence…

Victoria Kinkaid is a British Army doctor specialising in women's health. She is a qualified Human Security Advisor and co-founded the Female Genital Mutilation education project. She's also been shortlisted for a 2024 Women in Defence Award. Victoria grew up in Northern Ireland and shares how dreaming big, social justice, equality and feminism hav…

Lieutenant Colonel Damian Jenkins is the Consultant Neurologist for the Armed Forces and he is also Dean of St Hugh's College, Oxford. He was awarded the MBE for transformational leadership and the professionalisation of the Army's LGBT+ Network. Damian considers learning and leading with compassion, challenge and drive. He reminds us that leadersh…

Jane Oremosu and Dr Maggie Semple are hugely successful businesswomen and thought-leaders on cultural change, inclusion and ethics with a focus on leadership development and governance. They are authors of My Little Black Book: A Blacktionary, - a pocket guide to the language of race. Jane and Maggie entertain and educate in equal measure. Both are…

Gemma Morgan recounts her journey from a promising young army officer to a survivor of severe trauma. Her book, Pink Camouflage, exposes the harsh realities she faced, including PTSD from her Kosovo deployment and a traumatic assault by a fellow soldier. Gemma shares her experiences of neglect and stigma within the military, calling for urgent cult…

Fiona Blyth shares her remarkable journey from serving with the British Army to her roles as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia and working with the United Nations. Fiona reveals how embracing risks and stepping into uncertainty have shaped her professional life and leadership approach. She reflects on the challenges and growth that come with pur…

Rabbi Samuel Landau is an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi and clinical psychologist who has recently worked with the British Army’s “Desert Rats” on cultural and behavioural change. Today he delves into the importance of traditions while highlighting the need to adapt them to fit modern society. He discusses the challenges of navigating complex issues with h…

Steve Prest is a recently retired Royal Navy Commodore. A leader renowned for his commitment to putting people first, Steve delves into the challenges of strategic leadership and the vital role of a growth mindset in fostering an empowering culture. He shares insights on how humility and self-confidence are crucial for rewarding team efforts and bu…

Adam Powney—a dedicated army reservist, social media manager, and openly gay man—reveals his transformative journey from a sensitive, artistic young man unsure about fitting into the military to finding his place and thriving in an environment where he once thought he didn’t belong. Reflecting on the advice he would give his 18-year-old self, Adam …

Major Rosie Wild reflects on her historic achievement as the first woman to pass the parachute regiment's demanding P Company test in 2020. She candidly discusses how she followed a trail blazed by previous women who attempted and struggled with the course, honouring their pioneering efforts. Rosie emphasises her gratitude for their sacrifices and …

BFBS Creative presents ‘The Culture Colonel,’ a series dedicated to exploring leadership within the Armed Forces and Defence sector. Hosted by retired Army Colonel and now Creative’s Head of Inclusion Lindsay MacDuff, who has spent years involved in leadership, cultural and behavioural change in Defence, each episode features informal yet insightfu…