Send us a text

In this episode of Recruitment and Beyond, Ewan is joined by Andy Williamson, the founder of Welcome Brain, a neurodiversity consultancy aimed at helping organisations create more inclusive and supportive environments for neurodivergent employees. Andy’s journey into this field began through his work with neurodivergent students, where he witnessed first-hand how tailoring education to individual learning styles could unlock incredible potential. After transitioning into the corporate world, Andy saw a gap in support for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace and established Welcome Brain to help businesses bridge this gap.

Throughout this conversation, Andy explains what neurodiversity is, its impact on the workplace, and the importance of fostering a culture of inclusion. From understanding the challenges neurodivergent individuals face during the recruitment process to implementing simple, cost-effective changes that can make a big difference, Andy emphasises that creating a neuro-inclusive workplace isn’t as complicated as it seems.

He also addresses common misconceptions about neurodiversity and shares practical tips for companies, from ensuring a more inclusive interview process to shifting from a process-driven to an outcome-driven approach. With a focus on communication, empathy, and leadership, this episode highlights how small adjustments can make a huge impact on employee satisfaction, retention, and business performance.

If you're looking to create a more inclusive workplace, this episode offers actionable insights and advice for building a business that values neurodiversity and supports individuals to thrive. Tune in for practical steps to help your organization tap into the strengths of neurodivergent employees while fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and understood.

Find Out More About Andy Williamson:
Andy Williamson is the founder of Welcome Brain Consulting, an Edinburgh-based company specialising in neuro-inclusion in workplaces.

With a focus on equitable recruitment and unlocking the potential of neurodiverse talent, Andy helps organisations create inclusive hiring practices that drive innovation and performance.

Welcome Brain

Eden Scott

Follow our social channels where we continue these conversations!

Eden Scott LinkedIn
Beyond HR LinkedIn

Send us a text

In this episode of Recruitment and Beyond, Ewan is joined by Lisa Thompson, the Chief People Officer at Clear Sky Logic and former founder of Purpose HR. With extensive experience in HR consultancy, particularly in the tech and life sciences sectors, Lisa brings invaluable insights into the rising issue of employee burnout.

Burnout is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a critical issue that affects not only individual well-being but also business productivity. In this conversation, Lisa discusses the importance of recognising burnout early and implementing strategies that help businesses support their teams, allowing them to flourish even in challenging times. From the blurred boundaries between work and home life, especially in the post-pandemic era, to the impact of constant connectivity through technology, Lisa provides a comprehensive overview of what causes burnout and how HR professionals can combat it.

Through practical strategies such as promoting open communication, setting clear expectations, and creating environments where employees feel empowered to prioritise their well-being, Lisa emphasises the need for proactive leadership. She explains how establishing boundaries and leading by example can help prevent burnout before it becomes a significant issue. Lisa also shares lessons learned from her consultancy days, offering advice on implementing these strategies effectively.

Whether you’re a business leader, HR professional, or someone navigating the challenges of managing employee wellness, this episode offers key takeaways on how to foster a healthy, productive workplace that supports both individual and organisational success. Tune in to discover how to recognise the signs of burnout, avoid overloading top performers, and set a framework for employee wellbeing that leads to long-term sustainability.

Find out more about - Lisa Thomson

Lisa recently joined ClearSky Logic as Chief People Officer. She previously founded Purpose HR, a niche HR consultancy focused on the technology and life sciences sectors, which she sold to the AAB Group in 2021. Following the acquisition, Lisa continued to lead Purpose HR as CEO and operated as a Partner and member of the AAB Leadership team until August 2023, when she exited following an earnout period.

She has achieved Chartered membership of the CIPD, is an experienced executive coach and NLP practitioner, is a Scotland CanB certified Impact Coach, and is an alumni of the Saltire Fellowship programme.

Lisa is a proud Ambassador for Women's Enterprise Scotland, championing women in business and is also a Board member of Entrepreneurial Scotland, FirstPort and Prosper (formerly Scottish Council for Development and Industry, and a mentor for Codebase, the UK's largest technology incubator.

A mum of 3 (2 girls aged 12 and 7 and a boy aged 1), Lisa lives in North Berwick East Lothian and, in her spare time, enjoys reading, cooking, wild swimming and walking her cocker spaniel Lola.

Follow our social channels where we continue these conversations!

Eden Scott LinkedIn
Beyond HR LinkedIn

Send us a text

The Power of Career Development Plans with Hayley Reaper

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment and Beyond Podcast, your go-to resource for navigating the dynamic world of HR and recruitment. This week, host Ewan is joined by Hayley Reaper, People Lead at Create Future, for an in-depth conversation about the transformative potential of career development plans.

In today’s fast-evolving workplace, career development plans are more than just an HR tool—they're a strategic cornerstone for attracting, retaining, and empowering top talent. Hayley shares how her team at Create Future has created a thriving culture of continuous learning through their innovative performance framework, Own Your Own Potential (OYOP).

This episode dives into how career development plans align individual ambitions with company objectives, fostering engagement and enhancing performance at every level. From nurturing early-career professionals to supporting senior leaders, Hayley highlights the importance of personalized growth opportunities and how they contribute to both employee satisfaction and business success.

Hayley also offers practical advice for businesses looking to introduce or refine their own career development strategies. From gathering employee input to iterating on frameworks as needs evolve, her insights will resonate with leaders of teams both large and small.

Whether you’re looking for tips on engaging employees, boosting retention, or fostering a culture of learning, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Join us to learn how to empower your team, invest in their potential, and drive long-term success for your organization.

Hit play now and discover how to transform your approach to career development—because your team’s growth is your business’s growth.

All about Hayley:

Hayley Raeper has been in the people profession for 7 years. Her current role is People Lead at CreateFuture; she joined the business in January 2022 when the business employed around 150 people; 2.5 years later, they are around 450.

CreateFuture is a digital consultancy and delivery partner that works with clients to find the right solutions together, covering strategy & innovation, product design and engineering, data/AI & cloud & dev ops with employees all over the UK.

Hayley is passionate about the people profession, helping people grow and develop and bridge any gaps between employer and employee, ensuring people and the business thrive together.

Hayley lives in Scotland and, in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her family and exploring everything beautiful Scotland has to offer!

Follow our social channels where we continue these conversations!

Eden Scott LinkedIn
Beyond HR LinkedIn