In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY hosted by Adam Walker, guest James Palmer, a financial planner and tax advisor for tech industry clients, shares his unique journey of balancing a successful business with a fulfilling personal life. James recounts growing up as a twin in Winchester, facing family challenges, and the persistent peer competition with his brother Harry. His move to London, career progression, and eventual establishment of Third Wealth, a business aimed at helping tech employees manage their financial and tax matters, are discussed. Despite the hustle of city life, James emphasises the importance of a work-life balance, reflecting on his own experiences and the deliberate choices he makes to achieve a fulfilling personal and professional life. He also highlights his active role in FOUDNRY Wandsworth’s community, promoting social engagement and networking among its members.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, host Adam Walker interviews Hayden Firth, a member of FOUNDRY Poole, who discusses his journey from a male dancer to a Fractional Head of People. Hayden shares his experiences working in different roles, including managing a phone shop and becoming a life coach. He elaborates on the value of hiring a Fractional Head of People for small businesses and the importance of proactive HR strategies. Hayden also speaks about his work with the charity MyTime Young Carers and his personal development journey, including his passion for dance, fitness, and unique coping mechanisms like morning dips and regular cinema visits. The interview concludes with Hayden's reflections on community, entrepreneurship, and effective leadership.

This episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY features Carmen Davies, the community manager for the Dolphin Shopping Centre, who shares her diverse career journey. Carmen's unique path includes roles as an NHS night receptionist, a motorbike training center worker, insurance seller, and a French oven company product manager. She moved from South Africa to Poole at 12 and lived in various places. Carmen narrated her experiences at her first job in an advertising magazine, working for Zurich insurance, her travels in a Winnebago across Europe, and her stint at A&E as a receptionist. She also discussed managing the clash between family responsibilities and work, and what led her to hospitality and eventually to managing community initiatives at the Dolphin Centre.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, Adam Walker speaks with Hatty Jackson, founder of the startup Troopr. Troopr is an online marketplace designed to centralise opportunities and support for the Armed Forces community in the UK. The platform helps veterans, military spouses, and reservists find jobs, training courses, events, and community groups. Hatty shares her journey from researching the viability of Troopr to overcoming the challenges of building and scaling the business. She highlights the unique services provided by large companies like Tesco and smaller organisations, emphasising the mutual benefits of supporting the Armed Forces community.

The episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY features Jake Mattock, a FOUNDRY member on a mission to row across the Indian Ocean for charity. Jake shares his journey from various career attempts, such as working as a personal trainer, sales, recruitment, and advertising, to his current mission in the sustainability space and his adventurous passion project. He recalls his past challenges, including a failed attempt to summit the Matterhorn and discusses his preparation for the Indian Ocean rowing event. Jake emphasizes the mental and physical trials he anticipates, the significance of setting non-financial goals, and how adventure serves as an antidote to life pressures. Jake also encourages the audience to find their own challenging purpose beyond financial success.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, recorded at FOUNDRY Poole in Dorset, Carly Jermyn shares her journey from growing up in Poole and working in family businesses to studying in Wales and building a career in law. She discusses the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship, how her family’s business background influenced her, and the challenges she faced as a legal secretary before discovering her passion for litigation. As a mother, Carly sought to balance her career with family life, leading to the creation of Woodstock, a consultancy platform offering a flexible and supportive work environment for lawyers. She reflects on the importance of having the right team, the challenges of rapid business growth, and her future aspirations for Woodstock, while encouraging other lawyers to be brave and consider non-traditional career paths.

In this episode of Work This Way by Foundry, host Adam Walker interviews Hanri Van der Merwe, a South African entrepreneur who operates several F45 fitness studios in London. Hanri shares her journey from accounting to fitness, overcoming challenges in the franchise world, and the growth of F45 in the UK. She highlights the importance of creating a non-intimidating, scalable fitness environment accessible to everyone. Hanri also discusses her new venture, FS8, a low-impact fitness concept focusing on recovery and wellness. The conversation delves into the diverse and evolving fitness market, the benefits of franchising, and the personal drive behind Hanri's entrepreneurial success.

This episode of Work This Way features an insightful conversation with Tom Fielder, co-founder of Switchplane, a tech company based in Eastbourne. Tom shares the history of Switchplane, from its humble beginnings in a bedroom to its growth into a tech powerhouse. He explains the company's focus on integrating disparate systems to help businesses manage data centrally. Tom also discusses how Switchplane pioneered innovative solutions, such as a pre-Uber taxi booking platform and the development of an e-commerce system. The episode delves into challenges like hiring skilled software engineers locally, the impact of COVID-19 on their business, and their values in staying rooted in Eastbourne. Additionally, the discussion covers their involvement in local initiatives like Chalk Eastbourne and Digifest, aimed at revitalising the town's image and tech community. Tom ends by sharing his views on AI, its applications, and his personal approach to balancing work and life.