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/

Episode Guest:

Adolfo Hernandez is the Group CEO of Capita PLC, known for his people-first leadership and transformation-driven mindset. With a global career spanning tech giants and turnaround challenges, he champions curiosity, innovation, and purpose-led growth.

Episode Timestamps:0:00 Introduction

1:20 Adolfo’s first job: lessons from behind the bar

3:45 Learning life skills outside the classroom

5:30 Choosing work over comfort: building independence

7:00 Conflict, observation, and people skills

9:15 Why curiosity is Adolfo’s greatest asset

11:30 Nerd roots: coding from age 12

13:50 Learning to unlearn: lessons from Amazon

16:40 Building leadership beyond micromanagement

19:10 High-performance culture: what it really means

21:25 The fragmentation of modern ambition

23:00 Volunteering in Kenya: a CEO’s reflection

25:15 How birthplace shapes opportunity

27:05 The only thing not changing at Capita

28:30 Injecting AI into essential services

30:20 Empowering 10,000 staff to define new values

32:10 Adolfo’s four new values driving change

34:00 Playing every lever in transformation

36:30 People-first innovation and fearless change

38:00 The future of human-in-the-loop service delivery

39:50 What gets Adolfo out of bed in the morning

41:30 Final advice: daily growth, daily impact

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 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/

{description}

Episode Guest:

Francesca White is the Managing Director of Porky Whites, a third-generation family-run food business where she’s leading with creativity, resilience, and a deep-rooted love for great-tasting sausages.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

1:20 Growing up in a family of butchers

2:52 From slicing ham to mastering butchery

4:00 The art of shop displays and value-added meats

6:00 What hard work really means to Fran

7:20 Why Fran never hits snooze

8:10 Creativity, boredom, and the dyslexic advantage

10:30 Owning your story as a dyslexic leader

13:10 Building confidence through asking questions

15:00 How to know if you’re surrounded by the right people

16:15 Trusting your gut in business

17:40 Surviving and rebuilding after a contract disaster

20:15 Why resilience is everything

21:00 Fran’s biggest financial regret

22:25 The danger of tap payments: a money tip for Gen Z

23:55 Fran’s love for packaging and creativity

25:30 From butcher shop to retail giant

28:15 The sausage science behind product development

30:10 When flavours flop: lessons in naming and branding

32:30 Launching bold new sausages with AI support

34:00 Why Fran believes in sausage-based job creation

36:00 The surprising power of AI at Porky Whites

39:30 Tips for new founders: know your numbers and your story

42:40 Why feedback fear is holding young people back

44:10 Fran’s final duvet flip: championing small business impact

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:

Sally-Ann Beaver is the Sales Director at Utility Aid, where she champions energy solutions for charities and not-for-profits. With a deep passion for people and decades of experience, she’s dedicated to creating impact through kindness, leadership, and advocacy.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:54 Welcome Sally-Anne Beaver to My Duvet Flip

1:48 First job and early lessons from youth training

3:10 Lifelong learning in a changing energy industry

4:17 Facing self-doubt and proving yourself without a degree

5:25 From overlooked to empowered: Sally-Anne’s turning point

6:35 The power of support and building strong teams

7:46 Mistakes, accountability, and growing from conflict

9:24 Becoming just a number in the corporate world

11:30 Starting over after 17 years and finding a new path

13:13 Rediscovering purpose through leadership

14:43 Politics and frustration in local government

16:08 Deprivation, emotional toll, and shifting focus

17:57 Why Utility Aid was the right move

19:47 Lobbying to help the most vulnerable

21:02 The unconventional route to Sales Director

23:40 Interview advice: how to stay grounded through multiple rounds

26:03 Spotting and nurturing potential in people

27:07 What exactly does a broker do for charities?

29:25 Real impact: saving millions for not-for-profits

30:02 What’s broken in the UK energy system?

31:43 The challenge of doing the right thing affordably

34:00 A call for better broker partnerships and discounted products

35:59 What's working well in the energy sector

36:37 Explaining the energy crisis in one word

38:48 Carrying the emotional weight of the crisis

40:04 What Utility Aid is doing differently

42:42 Sally-Anne's My Duvet Flip: making someone’s day worth it

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/