Episode 58 - 2026 Leadership Foundations. with Maj Gen Nick Cowley OBE, Director Leadership

We're joined by Amy Turner, England Rugby player, former Head Coach of England Women’s U20’s, former Head Coach of the Harlequin's Women's programme and current Pathway Coach of the Harlequin's Men's programme.⁠ In this episode we explore the journey from player to coach, and the changes that come from transitioning into a leader. Amy also talks about the challenges that come with being a woman in a male dominated high performance environment, the importance of role models and adapting to different followers needs and abilities.

We’re joined by Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM - soldier, author and business leader. After 4 years in The Parachute Regiment Floyd became one of the youngest individuals ever selected for the Special Air Service. Author of “Elite” and “The Warrior, The Strategist and You” Floyd has years of practical leadership experience in the military and business.   In this episode we explore the importance of knowing and understanding yourself, as well as the importance of having something to aim for. He explains the three things most important for good leaders, the tug of war between personal and organisational aims, and the importance of genuinely caring about your followers.

In this episode we’re joined by Major General Nick Cowley OBE General Officer Commanding Army Individual Training Command, Director Army Leadership and Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.   He draws on his experiences to emphasise the principle of “Serve to Lead” and highlights the inherent contradictions of leadership, as well as the importance of creating the right culture from the beginning - living values every day and doing the small things right. Culture is shaped by individuals, and actions count for more than words.  He highlights how both positive or negative actions and behaviours can be contagious, and that we need to take personal responsibility for the environments we create and take part in.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Sir Gareth Southgate, a renowned figure in English football and a symbol of leadership both on and off the pitch. Gareth is best known for his leadership as manager of the England men’s national football team from 2016 to 2024. Under his guidance, the team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and the finals of UEFA’s European Championships in 2020 and 2024. His leadership was marked by his ability to reconnect the team with its fans, instil a sense of pride in representing England, and foster a culture of integrity and respect. Before transitioning to management, Gareth had a distinguished playing career, making over 500 league appearances for clubs like Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough. He captained both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, leading them to League Cup wins and a UEFA Cup final. His leadership as a player was rooted in the values of discipline, hard work, and mutual respect for all members of the team. Gareth’s managerial journey began at Middlesbrough before he took charge of the England Under-21s, ultimately stepping into the senior England manager role. He reflects on his early experiences and the leadership lessons learned from those around him, including his youth coach at Crystal Palace, who instilled the importance of discipline and challenge. Gareth also highlights the impact of his time at Aston Villa, where he learned valuable leadership lessons from senior players, who demonstrated generosity and selflessness despite being in competition for a starting role. Throughout the podcast, Gareth talks about the importance of leadership values such as integrity, respect, and treating everyone equally, regardless of their role in the team. He believes in the power of empathy and emotional intelligence, emphasising that being a good leader is not just about making decisions but about understanding the needs and perspectives of those you lead. Gareth also shares how he learned to delegate more effectively as he progressed in his leadership career, recognising that trust in others is essential for a successful team dynamic. He also reflects on the generational challenges facing young leaders today, particularly in terms of social skills like making eye contact and saying good morning. Gareth stresses the importance of empathy and creating an environment where people feel psychologically safe enough to speak up and offer their views. He acknowledges that leadership is an ongoing journey of growth and learning, always striving to improve and adapt to new challenges. In addition to his football career, Gareth is passionate about youth development and resilience. He’s an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and a patron of Help for Heroes, working to support young people and veterans. He has also written books, including We Only Do Positive for youth football and Anything is Possible, a motivational guide for young people. Gareth’s new book, Dear England: Lessons in Leadership, is set to delve deeper into his leadership journey and the lessons he’s learned from his time managing England. This book promises to provide insight into his approach to leadership, the challenges he faced, and how he navigated them to build a winning team. Gareth hopes to inspire readers by sharing the leadership principles that have guided him throughout his career, aiming to encourage the next generation of leaders to trust themselves, embrace failure, and always strive for improvement.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Reverend Michael Parker, the Chaplain General of the British Army. Reverend Parker has been dedicated to military chaplaincy for over 25 years, offering unwavering spiritual and pastoral support to soldiers. As Chaplain General, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the spiritual and moral guidance of the Army, ensuring the well being of its personnel in both everyday and high pressure situations. Reverend Parker’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the concept of servant leadership. He believes in leading through service, putting others’ needs first and gaining recognition and trust through that commitment. His approach to leadership began in civilian ministry and evolved through his time in the military, where he embraced the Army’s leadership values while maintaining a strong faith based approach to supporting others. Throughout his career, Reverend Parker has been at the forefront of advocating for pastoral care, spiritual support, and moral guidance within the military. His leadership style is reflective, taking the time to think critically about how he leads and how others perceive him. He understands that effective leadership is about more than command; it’s about ensuring those under your leadership are morally and emotionally supported. Reverend Parker has also worked in high stakes environments, including conflict zones, where he’s seen firsthand how soldiers face immense ethical and moral challenges. His role as Chaplain General has been essential in helping individuals navigate these challenges, offering a listening ear and providing moral support during difficult times. He is passionate about diversity within the Army’s chaplaincy, working to ensure that the chaplaincy reflects the broad range of faiths and beliefs present within the Army. Reverend Parker’s leadership is shaped by his belief that the chaplaincy’s purpose is to care for the Army’s people, advocating for those who feel they don't have a voice and challenging behaviors that go against the Army’s values. We’re excited to hear from Reverend Parker as he shares his insights on leadership, the evolving role of chaplains, and how they support soldiers in the face of both everyday challenges and extraordinary pressures.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Donna Verdi, a distinguished and award winning leader with over 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. Donna has led initiatives that enhance leadership development, talent management, and cultural transformation, collaborating with strategic partners, influencing senior leaders, and leading diverse teams to produce impactful leadership and management programs. Donna's career at Barclays included roles such as Global Director of Learning and Development and Global Head of Development Governance and Strategic Projects. She has a proven track record in transforming learning operations, managing substantial budgets, and leading global teams in locations such as the USA and India. Donna is passionate about leveraging data driven insights to optimise learning impact and organisational growth, and she works with senior executives to build high performance cultures and achieve business goals. In addition to her corporate experience, Donna is a Senior Research Fellow for the Centre for Army Leadership. Her focus on leadership development spans across a wide range of industries, and she is committed to creating a culture of continuous learning. Donna is particularly passionate about emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the importance of giving feedback in the moment. She advocates for authentic leadership and believes that good leaders must serve their teams to help them reach their full potential. Donna's work is driven by her belief that leadership development programs must be relevant to the real world challenges people face, and she has seen firsthand how effective leadership can drive organisational success. She has also been instrumental in delivering programs that build diverse talent pipelines and help organisations navigate cultural change. Outside of her professional life, Donna remains a lifelong learner, engaging in conversations and activities that expose her to diverse perspectives and continuously evolving leadership practices. She is also a passionate advocate for using technology in leadership development, while maintaining the importance of human feedback and emotional intelligence.

This episode contains discussions of trauma, war, and emotional challenges faced by those in the military. If you or someone you know is affected by anything mentioned in this podcast and needs support, please search for "British Army Ask for Help." Listener discretion is advised. In part two of our conversation with Brian Wood MC, we delve into his life after the Army, exploring the incredible challenges he faced following the Al-Sweady Inquiry. Brian speaks candidly about the pressure, isolation, and emotional toll of being falsely accused of war crimes, and how these allegations tested his integrity and leadership in ways he never anticipated. He reflects on the years of uncertainty as he fought to clear his name, the impact it had on his mental health, and the support he eventually sought to begin his journey of healing. Brian also discusses how these experiences shaped his commitment to supporting veterans and raising awareness about mental health. He shares his passion for extreme endurance events, which he uses to raise funds for military charities, and the value of physical and mental resilience in overcoming adversity. Additionally, Brian talks about the founding of his brand Keep Attacking, a project born out of his mantra to push through challenges and keep moving forward. He offers valuable insights on leadership, self-accountability, and the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people, both during his military career and beyond. In this episode, Brian’s journey from the pressure of public scrutiny to becoming a powerful advocate for the military community reveals the ongoing strength and resilience required to lead in both military and civilian life.

This episode contains discussions of trauma, war, and emotional challenges faced by those in the military. If you or someone you know is affected by anything mentioned in this podcast and needs support, please search for "British Army Ask for Help." Listener discretion is advised. In this special two-parter, we’re thrilled to welcome Brian Wood MC, a decorated British Army veteran, bestselling author, and motivational speaker. In part one, Brian shares his powerful journey through the British Army, offering a candid look at his time on operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Known for his heroic actions during the Battle of Danny Boy in Iraq in 2004, Brian’s exceptional leadership and courage earned him the Military Cross. He takes us through key moments in combat, detailing the values and lessons he learned while leading his team under extreme pressure, and how those experiences shaped him as a leader. His reflections on his military service highlight the importance of doing the basics well, maintaining composure in chaos, and leading by example. Brian’s service spans multiple operational tours, where he quickly rose to leadership roles, becoming a trusted figure among his peers. In this episode, he talks about how his upbringing and his family’s influence shaped his approach to leadership and the early mentors who guided him. His memoir, Double Crossed, delves deeper into these experiences, including his involvement in the public inquiry following the Iraq conflict and his personal journey through resilience. In part two, Brian will dive into life after the Army, including his work with veterans, mental health awareness, and the impact of the Al-Sweady Inquiry on his life. But for now, join us as we explore his incredible military career and the leadership lessons that continue to inspire him today.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Professor Peter Hawkins, a distinguished figure in leadership development, executive coaching, and systemic team coaching. Peter’s career spans over four decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the field of organisational transformation. As an Emeritus Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading, and Chairman of Renewal Associates, Peter has worked with numerous organisations globally, co designing and facilitating major change initiatives and coaching executive teams and boards. Peter’s work spans various sectors, including commercial enterprises, government departments, healthcare, and non-profits, and he’s also served as an honorary president of both the Association of Professional Executive Coaching and Supervision and the Academy of Executive Coaching. As an internationally respected thought leader, Peter has authored several influential books, including Leadership Team Coaching, Beauty in Leadership and Coaching, and his forthcoming book Team of Teams Coaching, set for release in the summer of 2025. This new book explores the principles of building and leading collaborative teams across organisations, drawing on Peter’s extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Beyond his theoretical contributions, Peter is a hands on practitioner in the field, balancing academia with real world coaching, which keeps him at the forefront of leadership development. His passion lies in transforming organisational cultures and fostering collaborative leadership, with a particular focus on the connections between individuals, teams, and organisations. Peter advocates for a collective approach to leadership that requires humility and collaboration, believing that leadership is co created by leaders, followers, and a collective purpose. Peter’s leadership philosophy emphasises resilience, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking, encouraging leaders to look beyond individual skill sets and focus on the wider systemic relationships that drive success. In addition to his extensive work in leadership development, Peter also engages in environmental stewardship, running ecological projects that involve communities, schools, and young people. Join us as we delve into Peter's extensive expertise in leadership, coaching, and organisational transformation, and learn how to apply these insights to build more resilient, adaptable teams and organisations.

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of death, suicide, cancer, and trauma, including adverse childhood experiences. In this episode, we’re honoured to welcome Major Kate Page, an Army GP whose leadership journey has spanned operational deployments, trauma medicine, and long-term illness. With years of experience as a Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) to artillery, infantry and EOD regiments, Kate brings rare insight into the emotional intelligence and empathy required to lead people in crisis, both physical and psychological. From Iraq to South Sudan and everywhere in between, Kate has provided care in some of the most complex environments. She reflects on the unique role of the military doctor, not just treating illness and injury, but shaping culture, advising the chain of command, and transforming lives through trust and discretion. Her work demonstrates how medical leadership can create loyalty, cohesion, and mission readiness. Kate also opens up about her personal journey with incurable metastatic breast cancer. From the patient’s chair as well as the doctor’s office, she explores the tension between the needs of the individual and the needs of the service, and what leaders can do to strike the balance. She offers a deeply human perspective on recovery, resilience, and the power of purpose. This conversation is a masterclass in leading with empathy, navigating confidentiality, and fostering psychological safety. As Kate reminds us, “People will always remember how you treat them when they’re at their most vulnerable.” And that, more than anything, can define the strength of a team.