If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you!

S3 E3: In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we sit down with Cathy Hoy, a trailblazer in the L&D space with an impressive career spanning over 25 years at global giants like Tesco, Coca-Cola, and Expedia. Cathy shares her unconventional journey into L&D, the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, and the lessons learned from leading global learning initiatives.
From navigating cultural differences in Southeast Asia to securing a direct reporting line to the board at Soho House, Cathy sheds light on what it truly takes for L&D professionals to move beyond the traditional ‘order-taker’ role and gain strategic influence. She discusses the often-overlooked need for business acumen in L&D leadership, the importance of aligning learning with commercial goals, and how CLO100 equips learning leaders with the skills and network they need to thrive at the executive table.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in L&D looking to elevate their strategic impact, break free from outdated perceptions, and position themselves as true business leaders.

Key Learnings

L&D Leaders Must Develop Business Acumen to Gain Strategic Influence
Cathy Hoy emphasises that to move beyond the traditional ‘order-taker’ role, L&D professionals need to speak the language of business. This means understanding commercial priorities, strategic objectives, and financial metrics to align learning initiatives with organisational goals. Without this shift, L&D risks being sidelined rather than seen as a critical driver of business success.
Cultural Awareness is Key for Global L&D Success
Drawing from her experiences in Southeast Asia and beyond, Cathy highlights the importance of adapting learning strategies to different cultural contexts. What works in one region may not resonate elsewhere, and success comes from observing, listening, and integrating cultural nuances into training approaches. This insight is crucial for L&D leaders working in multinational organisations who need to ensure learning is both effective and well-received across diverse teams.

Guest Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhoy/
CLO100 - The Home of Learning Leaders