Business Barometer Podcast Series
The Open University
The Open University has released a new limited podcast series in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, hosted by Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE. The five episodes see business leaders from across the four nations discuss issues arising from The Open University’s Business Barometer report. The annual report looks at the skills landscape and its impact on employers across the different sectors, regions and nations of the UK.
Episode 5: Solving the people and work challenge – with Shevaun Haviland and Jane Gratton
In this fifth podcast, Martha Lane Fox, CBE, Chancellor of the OU and President of the BCC talks to her two guests - Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the BCC and Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC – about talent, skills shortages and the importance of lifelong learning. Both stressed the importance of upskilling and reskilling, of engaging in a process of continual learning. Jane said employers repeatedly speak to her about skills gaps, asking what could be done to
Apr 10, 2024 • 29:36
Episode 4: The role of career changers – with Bryan Redpath
In this fourth podcast of the Open University’s (OU) series on business and skills, Bryan talks to Martha Lane Fox, CBE, Chancellor of the OU and President of the BCC, about his personal experience of moving from one career to another. He shares the advice he would give other people transitioning into a new field and why employers can benefit from thinking more openly about career changers. “This was the first real decision for me to go into something totally different, put a suit on, go into
Apr 10, 2024 • 30:24
Episode 3: Local skills for local people – with Alwen Williams
In this podcast, the third in the OU’s series on the UK skills landscape, Alwen Williams, Portfolio Director at Ambition North Wales, talks to Martha Lane Fox, CBE, Chancellor at the OU and President at the BCC. They discuss plans to develop skills and careers for local people, with a strong focus on sustainability, climate change and the needs of future generations in North Wales. Ambition North Wales is looking to invest £1 billion over the next 15 years, creating up to 4,000 new jobs in th
Apr 10, 2024 • 29:11
Episode 2: The importance of financial wellbeing in the workplace – with Carla Hoppe
Financial stress is one of the biggest drivers of mental health issues in the UK, according to Carla Hoppe, CEO and Founder of Wealthbrite, an organisation that provides financial skills training in the workplace. Carla was speaking to Martha Lane Fox, CBE, Chancellor of The Open University (OU) and President of the British Chambers of Commerce, in the second podcast in the OU’s recent series discussing business and skills and the findings of the latest Business Barometer report. Carla says the
Apr 10, 2024 • 25:15