Today’s episode tackles a commonly missed growth avenue – selling to the public sector. Why do so many smaller firms avoid it? Is it really too complex or competitive, or are those just myths?

Helen Lipscombe is joined by Shiona Campbell, founder of BDS – Business Development Support Ltd. With 15 years’ experience in local government and the third sector, Shiona now helps owner-led businesses bid for and win public contracts.

You’ll hear her journey from project management to business consultancy, unpack the misconceptions around public sector sales, and get practical guidance on how to find opportunities and stand out in tenders.

Connect with Helen Lipscombe:
LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn
Website: Resilience Continuity | UK

YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube

Enjoying the show?
Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis.

Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

Operational resilience isn’t just about compliance — it’s about culture, customers, and the way organisations think about disruption.

In this episode of The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence, host Helen Lipscombe speaks with Nick Simms from Cornwood Consulting, who brings nearly 40 years’ experience in business continuity and resilience. Together, they explore what makes operational resilience different, where regulation helps (and hinders), and why culture often determines whether resilience efforts succeed or fail.

You’ll hear:

• The shift from “if” to “when” disruption happens.
• Why resilience must focus on services, not just departments.
• Real-world disruptions — from escaped rhinos to IT failures.
• How regulation can both drive progress and create false confidence.
• Why soft skills and influencing matter more than technical training.

Whether you work in a regulated industry or not, this conversation offers practical lessons for leaders aiming to build resilience that lasts.

Connect with Helen Lipscombe:
LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn
Website: Resilience Continuity | UK

YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube

Enjoying the show?
Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis.

Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

Organisational culture is more than a buzzword — it’s the invisible force shaping how people behave, make decisions, and respond to challenges. In this episode of The Prepared Leader, guest host Jo Grove-Lafarge sits down with Alison Crockford (Build Secure Thinking) and Helen Lipscombe (Resilience Continuity Consulting) to unpack what culture really means, how it’s shaped by leadership, and why it can make or break resilience programmes.

We explore:

• Defining organisational culture beyond slogans.
• How leadership behaviour sets the tone — for better or worse.
• The role of psychological safety in driving accountability.
• Lessons from Boeing’s culture shift and its impact on safety.
• Why culture and engagement must be more than annual surveys.
• How to align resilience, cyber, and risk initiatives with the existing culture to make change stick.

Whether you lead a small team or a global organisation, this conversation will challenge how you think about culture — and how you can influence it.

Connect with Helen Lipscombe:
LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn
Website: Resilience Continuity | UK

YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube

Enjoying the show?
Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis.

Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient