Episode Guest:

Valerie Michie is the CEO of Choice Care Group and a passionate advocate for the power of social care careers. With a background in leadership across multiple sectors, she’s committed to making care more visible and accessible for the next generation.

Careers at Choice Care Group:

https://bit.ly/45epykU

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:42 Why Valerie joined My Duvet Flip

1:44 Valerie’s first proper job at Asda

3:23 Lessons in communication and teamwork

5:00 Becoming a better communicator through listening

7:06 Pushing through discomfort and growing confidence

8:19 From graduate uncertainty to KPMG

9:32 Realising accountancy wasn’t her calling

11:02 When to move on or stay in a job

12:47 The “black circle” diary reflection method

13:44 Worst money mistake Valerie ever made

14:28 The power of saving early: Valerie’s top money tip

16:12 Why reflection matters in your career

18:30 Reflecting as a team in the care sector

20:03 Why young people rush — and shouldn’t

21:29 Valerie on becoming a CEO

23:06 Advice for new starters in any industry

24:11 Give it a year — Valerie’s rule of thumb

25:57 What a CEO actually does at Choice Care Group

27:00 Career paths within care: Support Worker to Manager

28:44 What makes a great care worker?

30:01 Why care is a brilliant industry for young people

31:05 Making care and support more visible

33:00 What young people told Valerie about joining care

34:28 Where Choice Care Group operates

35:09 Why join Choice Care Group?

36:06 What care taught Valerie that corporate life didn’t

37:00 “Choices Got Talent” and holding hope for others

39:45 Valerie’s advice to care job applicants

41:22 Valerie’s life lesson: listen first

43:39 Valerie’s duvet flip: what gets her out of bed

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Jane Kielty is the CEO of Aon across the UK, Ireland, and South Africa, bringing over 20 years of experience in insurance, pensions, and reinsurance. She is passionate about early careers, client service, and inspiring purpose-driven work.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:45 First meeting Jack & flipping the duvet (literally)

2:00 From fish & chips to the boardroom

4:10 Early lessons in customer service and hard work

6:05 The RAF dream that shaped her resilience

8:15 Pivoting from law to insurance

10:30 Building a 20-year career at Aon

13:05 Positivity, energy and choosing happiness

15:25 What makes someone great in client service

17:40 The 2004 career plan that changed everything

19:50 Learning AI as a CEO — and what it taught her

22:05 Why curiosity and listening are critical soft skills

24:15 What schools don’t teach (but should)

26:40 How to think about money and avoid regrets

29:00 Why Aon’s early careers programme stands out

31:10 Making insurance, pensions & reinsurance exciting

33:15 Purpose, impact and working with clients

35:00 Her invisible success: treating every pound as her own

37:10 What flips her duvet every morning

Episode Partners

✈️ easyJet

Explore exciting career opportunities at easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines. Whether you're passionate about aviation, customer service, engineering, or corporate roles, easyJet offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovation and growth.

https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Jon Holt is the UK CEO of KPMG, where he leads a team of over 16,000 professionals. With more than 30 years at the firm, Jon brings a reflective, values-led approach to leadership.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction – Jon Holt joins My Duvet Flip

1:28 Starting out washing dishes in a Yorkshire pub

3:10 What Jon learned behind the bar

4:42 Advice to young Jon: try everything, especially work experience

6:20 Why accountancy beat law for Jon

7:35 Do what you enjoy – or go do something else

9:10 Getting early career advice – and learning to stay

10:52 From Wakefield to KPMG partner

12:15 The value of diverse work experience

13:36 When to leave a job and when to double down

15:00 Investing young – Jon’s biggest financial regret

16:30 How to spot good vs bad career advice

18:00 Feedback fear & learning from failure

20:15 What makes a great future accountant?

22:10 Curiosity in the age of echo chambers

24:00 Tips for building a curious mindset

25:45 Kindness and culture at KPMG

27:10 What it really takes to become a partner

28:50 The loneliness of leadership – and why outside mentors matter

30:10 Everyone’s the CEO of their own life

31:25 Why the journey matters more than the destination

33:00 The myth of enjoying success without earning it

34:20 Life after KPMG – Jon’s future beyond the firm

35:48 Final lessons from 30 years at the top

37:00 What flips Jon’s duvet every morning

38:25 Jack’s closing reflections on kindness, culture & leadership

Episode Partners

✈️ easyJetE

xplore exciting career opportunities at easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines. Whether you're passionate about aviation, customer service, engineering, or corporate roles, easyJet offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovation and growth.

https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates.

The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/