Coach Class
Episodes
From No-Fear Beginnings to Building Belonging: Lessons from a Life in Digital with Phil Myerscough
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I'm joined by Phil Myerscough — a Lancashire-born digital and e-commerce consultant, music producer, and founde...
Catching Up with Leanne Mallory: Leadership, Letting Go & Learning to Switch Off
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I caught up with my old Asda colleague Leanne Mallory, who’s now Head of Product Practice at the Co-op. It was brilliant to reconne...
Human creativity in the age of AI - with Dave Birss, Co-Founder The Gen AI Academy
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class I had the privilege of sitting down with Dave Birss — writer, educator, keynote speaker, and former creative director...
Proving the Value of PR: Stephen Waddington on Legacy, Learning & the Future of Our Profession
30 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I welcome back Stephen Waddington – “Wadds” – one of the UK’s most influential thinkers in public relations....
Invisible Girls, Loud Voices: How Jane Kenyon Is Helping a Generation Be Seen and Heard
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class I caught up with Jane Kenyon MBE — a serial entrepreneur, intuitive coach, and unapologetic champion for women and gi...
Amanda Downs: On Ikigai, Leadership, and Why Sales Isn’t a Dirty Word
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I was joined by Amanda Downs — commercial leader turned coach, facilitator, and soon-to-be author of Stepping Up to ...
From Asda to Everywhere: Sarah Fothergill on Culture, Courage, and Career Lessons
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎧 In this episode of Coach Class, I’m joined by someone I’ve admired for years — Sarah Fothergill, now Vice President at HH Global, the world...
You’re Not Broken: Rewriting the Story of ADHD and menopause with Sam Williams ACC, CEng MIET
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I caught up with executive coach and chartered engineer Sam Williams, whose personal journey through late-diagnosed AD...
On Leadership, Letting Go & The Power of a Career Break with Ex Walmart Comms Leader Melissa Hill
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this reflective and energising episode, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with my former Asda colleague Melissa Hill, now on a well-earned career ...
From Broadway to Boardrooms. Kate Levy on Reinvention, Leadership, and the Art of Storytelling
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class Kate Levy shares her remarkable career journey from child actress to award-winning executive producer and creative lead...
A Nurse, a Chef, and a Marine Walk into a Workplace... and Change Lives - Ray McCaughan, Horizon Health
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I’m joined by Ray McCaughan, a seasoned nurse and founder of Horizon Health Clinics in Skipton. With over 25 years’...
Kevin Gratton: Leading from the Heat of the Kitchen to the Heart of Hospitality
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I sat down with Kevin Gratton, whose journey through some of the most intense kitchens in the world has shaped him int...
From Grocery Powerhouse to Coaching Guru: Gail Paddy on Leadership, Retail & Reinvention
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I caught up with Gail Paddy, a seasoned leader in the UK grocery industry with over 30 years' experience at Asda ...
Focus, Flourish & Find Your Tribe (bab) – In conversation with the one and only Jo Reeves PCC
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jo Reeves is a highly experienced personal and business coach — armed with an impressive coaching resume, a knack for making big topics feel totally...
Sarah Ramsey (Trustee) and Gareth Pierce (CEO) from Forget Me Not Hospice
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I speak with Sarah Ramsey (Trustee) and Gareth Pierce (CEO) of Forget Me Not Hospice. While the conversation is centred on children’...
In conversation with Owen Eastwood, high performance coach & best selling author of 'Belonging'
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Owen Eastwood is a world-renowned performance coach, author of the bestselling book Belonging, and a passionate advocate for the power of connection a...
Embracing Risk, Resilience, and Real Connections: Leah Spears on Building a Career with Passion and Purpose
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I sit down with Leah Spears, Head of Brand at Paddy Power, to discuss her career journey and the lessons she’s gathe...
How singing can help you find your voice and give a sense of belonging - with James Sills
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class I'm thrilled to be joined by James Sills, a freelance choir leader, vocal coach, and author of the inspiring book ...
Bob Gomersall - from physics teacher to successful business leader, and now an author
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Coach Class I chat with Dr. Bob Gomersall, a prominent entrepreneur, founder of Surpass Assessment, and chairman of Advanced Di...
Rethinking food and removing hunger as a barrier - inspirational leaders Nathan and Kevin
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a double-header, I sit down with Nathan Atkinson and Kevin Mackay from Rethink Food, a transformative initiative dedicated to removing hunger as a ...
From beer and dairy to chips and chocolate - Simon Eyles, Betty's MD shares his incredible journey
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coach Class, I catch up with Simon Eyles, Managing Director of Betty's. We discuss Simon’s professional journey, leadership ...
Authentic leadership and finding your purpose with Chris McDonough CEO Corkcicle
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Boasting over two decades of executive leadership across various sectors, Chris is now at the helm of Corkcicle, a brand known for its innovative and ...
Marking World Down Syndrome Day by Assuming I can - with Joy Cosgrove
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Cosgrove is a UK and Ireland based Retail Learning Consultant & Personal Coach. She has years of hands on experience in the training room and ...
How do you get an iguana to fly? Rosie and Claire have found a way
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rosie and Claire first met over a lunch where they shared their stories about belonging, culture, leadership and coaching. Their ambitions were to cre...
Catching up with my university tutor, baby-faced, multi-talented, Prof Ralph Tench
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Ralph Tench is the Director of Research for Leeds Business School and the elected President and Head of the Board of Directors for the Europ...
A family affair, part 2 - the mother - an HIV/AIDS pioneer, campaigner and role model
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a follow up to the podcast I recorded with my dad last October, in this episode I am pleased to introduce you to 'the mother, 'Josie Burc...
My 50th podcast reunion with L.L.Bean CEO Steve Smith
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this, my 50th podcast, I welcome back Steve Smith, who was my first guest on Coach class nearly three years ago. Steve shares valuable insights int...
Tony Page - the turnaround king, but (somewhat) reluctant coach
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tony Page is a turnaround specialist and an expert in solving distress situations particularly for private equity-backed businesses. He is also a tran...
Chief People & Inclusion Officer at Co-op, Claire Costello on career breaks & culture
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Claire is the Chief People and Inclusion Officer at Co-op. Prior to the Co-op, she worked across Asda and Walmart for 23 years, setting up, establishi...
Double-header with Chloe & Laura from The Jobshare Revolution
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After trail blazing in flexible working within their organisations, Chloe Fletcher and Laura Walker came together as a jobsharing pair in 2021. After ...
A family affair, an extended conversation with my dad, Prof Robbie Burch OBE
28 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where do you start, when you interview your own dad. An inspirational leader and coach in his own right, albeit a university lecturer and football tea...
Chef Neil Nugent, food innovator extraordinaire: "Be nice to people..."
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Nugent is a professional chef and food innovation expert, having left school at 16 and worked his way up through professional kitchens in his hom...
How to drive colleague engagement with Dave Barber, MD Spark Consultants
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Barber is an experienced internal comms professional and colleague engagement expert. He cut his teeth in retail, having studied supply chains an...
Stuart Price chief people officer, from shopfloor to healthcare to cars, & all without a plan
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stuart is the chief people officer at Zenith the UK's leading independent leasing, fleet management and vehicle outsourcing business. He's a...
Psychology for coaching, be that existential, developmental or Buddhist thinking - with Martin Benefer
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Benefer has a passion for human development and loves to help people achieve their potential, both personally and within their career.He's...
What does it mean to be an agile coach? My interview with Ben Cooke
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Cooke is a highly accomplished coach and agile delivery professional with more than 15 years experience. He helps businesses, teams and individua...
Tackling burnout with Jayne Morris - author of Burnout to Brilliance
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jayne is a coach, author and burnout retreat organiser and host. She is also the author of Burnout to Brilliance and the Co-Founder of Balanceology, s...
Fran Lee-Rogers, Butterfly Development - the persistent optimist
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frances Lee-Rogers is the founder of Butterfly Development, a professional coaching organisation.She's spent the best part of 18 years working in...
In conversation with Jon McNestrie, agile coach
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jon is a self-styled agile coach who works with teams, organisations and leaders so they can understand themselves better and improve the ways they wo...
In conversation with Joy Cosgrove - fellow Barefoot graduate
12 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Cosgrove a retail training consultant and coach. Based in Ireland Joy started off studying psychology, mentored by Dr Sharon Lambert - then did he...
Working with and coaching neurodivergent clients - reflecting with Jasmine Miller
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With a background in additional support needs spanning 20 years, Jasmine Miller has first-hand knowledge, understanding and application of supporting ...
Interview with Tony Paladinetti, Senior Director, International Strategy at Walmart
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After a little break from doing this podcast, I thought I'd change tack and start a new 'season' of episodes by speaking to someone I&a...
Interview with Jonathan Bowman-Perks, Global Leadership Coach
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When I was a senior director at Asda (mid management position with a US job title) I was fortunate enough to realise I was entitled to executive coach...
Interview with Dr Anne Gregory, Professor of Corporate Communication Uni of Huddersfield
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Anne Gregory has been Professor of Corporate Communication at the University of Huddersfield since September 2014. She joined the University from L...
Interview with Gal Shivtiel, MD Great Ideas Group
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gal Shivtiel is MD at Great Ideas Group, he's an entrepreneur, ex-retailer, and a wanabe vet. He started his career while on a year out from sch...
Interview with Emma Fox, CEO Berry Bros. & Rudd
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Fox is CEO at Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the comp...
interview with Dom Smales, founder and former CEO of Gleam Futures
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dom Smales is an entrepreneur and social media pioneer having founded a talent management agency called Gleam Futures that spotted and developed YouTu...
Reflecting on 'Working with Nature from the Inside Out' with Sorrel Roberts
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sorrel Roberts is a professionally and academically accredited coach, passionate about harnessing the benefits of coaching to assist organisations and...
Interview with Amanda Cox, Stores & People Director at Dunelm
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda's career began on the Marks & Spencer's graduate scheme, where she worked for 10 years before moving to Asda. Starting at Asda as...
Interview with Kevin McKee Joint Managing Partner at Cole-McKee (retired)
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past 20 years Kevin has worked with top leaders in many different organisations, as a trusted adviser and coach. He helped them develop their...
Interview with Kim Morgan, CEO Barefoot Coaching
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Having just completed the Barefoot Coach Training Course for Business and Personal Coaching, it was a real privilege to speak to the founder of the or...
Interview with Katherine Paterson, Customer Director Hobbycraft
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine has been Customer Director at Hobbycraft for eight and a half years and is accountable for marketing and brand, the Hobbycraft Club and its ...
Interview with Nick Jones, CEO Joules
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nick was appointed CEO of Joules in 2019. He has over 25 years’ experience in developing retail brands and strategy. He started his career at Mark...
Interview with Greg Baker ACC, head coach at British Para Table Tennis
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As an ex-England International table tennis athlete, former National Coach and current Head Coach at British Para Table Tennis , Greg has successfully...
Interview with Stephen Waddington, Founder and Managing Partner, Wadds Inc
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen is a professional advisor to agencies and communication teams, an author and teacher, He has a track record of founding, growing and managing...
Interview with Aimee Anderson Managing Director at Triple A - ACCESS ALL AREAS
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Aimee is a passionate, dynamic and pioneering brand communications specialist with 20 years experience - providing senior executives at some of the wo...
Interview with Diane Young, Co-founder of The Drum
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Diane is co founder of The Drum.She describes herself as an avid consumer of business education, having stupidly not bothered in her early career. Sh...
In conversation with Marissa Makinson-Hall ACA, CTA
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Marissa is a fellow Barefooter, but who is on a different cohort of the training. We met on the Barefoot Taster Session back in January, but started t...
Interview with Andy Clarke, former Asda CEO, Chairman of Menzies
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For anyone that has worked with Andy Clarke over the years, he obviously needs no introduction.The former CEO of Asda where he was in charge for six y...
Interview with Mav Wynn, Certified Pilates Instructor // Investor Relations consultant
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I caught up with Mav Wynn, an amazing leader who decided to leave the world of investor relations in the city of London to become a pi...
Half time in my Barefoot training - comparing notes with Claire Foy on the journey so far
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Foy is a fellow student on the Barefoot Coaching course - in this podcast we reflect on reaching half way, and review our 'performance&apo...
Interview with Ade McKeon, former Regional MD Europe Accolade Wines, ex Asda, Allied Domecq
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We reconnected a few years ago at a cricket test match at Lords over a glass or two of very good quality wine, having crossed paths at Asda. An accomp...
In conversation with Mark Wyatt, Ex Wolverine Worldwide, Speedo Intl, & Sodastream
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mark is currently resting in between roles, having previously run companies like Speedo and more recently Wolverine Worldwide. Like me, he's fou...
In conversation with Mark Webb, head of comms Shift MS
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We met on Twitter ten or so years ago, since when we've become virtual mates.Both comms professionals by trade, we had a shared connection in Ham...
In conversation with Emma Bearman, Chief of Play & Founder Playful Anywhere CIC
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Emma and I met each other on Twitter back in the days that social media platforms were fun, vibrant and full of unexpected opportunities to connect wi...
In conversation with Sanja Kon, CEO Utrust and fellow Barefoot student
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sanja Kon describes herself as a digital executive and international keynote speaker with a passion for coaching, spirituality and self development.Sh...
Interview with Doug Gurr, chairman British Heart Foundation, ex Amazon, Asda, McKinsey
08 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Doug was most recently a global vice-president and head of Amazon UK from 2016 to 2020. He is currently chairman of the British Heart Foundation, and ...
Interview with Rob Chester, former MD NSF International, ex Walmart China, Asda & Tesco
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Chester studied law before getting into retail, having worked his way through Uni at the local Tesco.His father had given him advice as a young ma...
In conversation with Michelle Jehu - reflections on week 3 of the Barefoot coaching course
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle has over 20 years experience managing teams, with a background in marketing communications, project management and insurance. Before joining ...
interview with Judith McKenna, President & CEO Walmart International
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Judith McKenna is president and CEO of Walmart International where she leads 550,000 associates across 23 countries.Having joined Tetley pub company f...
In conversation with Hava Kranat - reflections on week 2 of the Barefoot coaching course
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hava is a Positive Psychology Life Coach, and fellow Barefoot student. In this conversation we reflect on week 2 of the course where we practiced aski...
Interview with Marjorie Thompson, ex CND, RCN, CRE, Saatchi & Saatchi
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Marjorie Ellis Thompson has worked on Capitol Hill and in Parliament, as a lobbyist for CND and the Royal College of Nursing, head of communications f...
In conversation with Claire Foy - reflections on week 1 of the Barefoot coaching course
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Foy is Head of Learning & Professional Development at Coutts, and also a fellow student on the Barefoot ICF accredited Post Graduate Certif...
Interview with Jon Wragg, my first proper mentor, global leader and exec
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jon Wragg is a versatile and broadly experienced Commercial and Retail leader, with a strong track record. His experience is Global, it covers Apparel...
Interview with Fiona Lambert MD of Jaeger at Marks & Spencer
11 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fiona is passionate developer of people and high performing teams. She believes this is key to a business' success.She thrives on learning, devel...
Interview with Jill Orr, Founder and Director at theeightytwo
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jill is an executive coach with more than 25 years experience operating at the highest levels in business.She started her career in America, which exp...
Interview with Ellie Doohan GC, Non Exec, Company Secretary & Exec Coach
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ellie in her own words is a seasoned executive with many years experience at board level and working internationally. She is a qualified Executive Co...
Interview with Stephen Smith, President & CEO L.L.Bean
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of Coach Class I had the pleasure of speaking to Stephen Smith, President and CEO at L.L.Bean. Steve and I worked together at ASD...