In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, host Chloe — a trauma-informed HR practitioner specialising in workplace sexual misconduct, sits down with seasoned Sheffield-based employment law solicitor, Liam Kenealy. Together, they unpack what the Worker Protection Act means for employers now it’s been in force for almost a year.

They explore the new preventative duty, what a “reasonable steps” defense looks like in practice, and how SMEs can prepare for the unpredictability of human behaviour in the workplace. This isn’t theory, it’s practical, Yorkshire-based expertise from HR and legal perspectives, designed to help employers protect their people and their businesses.

This episode was made possible by OneSource HR.

On this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, host Chloe from OneSource HR is joined by James Coughlan, Founder of Reef, the fast-scaling platform giving workers access to almost 10,000 laptop-friendly spaces across 20 countries.

What may look like a simple concept — finding a place to work — is in fact solving some of the most complex challenges facing businesses today: productivity, wellbeing, engagement, and the future of hybrid work.

James shares his entrepreneurial journey, the bold vision behind Reef, and why giving employees real choice over where they work isn’t just about flexibility, it’s about performance. We dive into what this means for HR directors, freelancers, and global businesses alike, and why Yorkshire’s business ecosystem is the perfect place for innovation with international impact.

Sponsored by OneSource HR.

Exclusive discount code for the Reef app for all Yorkshire Business Podcast listeners: ONESOURCE20

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, host Chloe sits down with Jack Nicklin, Managing Director of Tell Media, a fast-growing broadcast and video production company rooted in York, North Yorkshire, with offices globally in Kuwait and Kuala Lumpur.

We talk about what it takes to scale a niche Yorkshire business in an industry long dominated by London, and why investing in local talent is so important for the creative sector. Jack shares his vision for international growth, how he manages teams across multiple time zones, and the exciting opportunities that come with blending fresh ideas, new technology and proven broadcast expertise.

From Yorkshire roots to a global footprint, this conversation explores entrepreneurship, leadership and the future of media. Jack demonstrates that Yorkshire businesses have ambition, and that they can, and should, be competing on the world stage.

🎙 Hosted by Chloe, proudly sponsored by OneSource HR.

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, Chloe speaks with Lou (Louise Sleightholm), creator and stylist at @LousCorporateLife, founder of sustainable workwear brand Mode, and co-founder of the Leeds Young Professionals Network.

Lou shares how she turned a personal pain into a movement, building a community of over 300,000 people inspired by her daily advice on corporate style.

But this conversation goes far beyond fashion. Together we explore the links between workwear, confidence, and self-esteem; how uniform policies can impact women at work; and why comments on appearance, too often dismissed as “harmless”, can contribute to a culture where sexual harassment is normalised.

This episode is about sustainability, confidence, and culture, and how leaders can rethink policies, behaviours, and practices to make the workplace not only more stylish, but safer and more empowering for everyone.

This podcast was made possible by OneSource HR.

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, hosted by Chloe Wallace, and proudly sponsored by OneSource HR, I sit down with James Woods, CEO of Citizens Advice Doncaster, to explore how his 15-year journey through the organisation has shaped his people-first leadership style.

Under James’ tenure as CEO, Citizens Advice Doncaster has transformed its reach from supporting just 3,000–4,000 people per year to an incredible 10,000 last year, bringing £9 million of income into Doncaster’s economy.

But it’s not without challenges. James busts one of the biggest misconceptions — Citizens Advice is not government funded. Instead, as an independent charity, they rely on innovation, collaboration, and partnerships with organisations like the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Centurion to sustain and grow their impact.

We discuss everything from:

• Fighting against “digital by design” and instead championing “digital by choice” to prevent digital exclusion and poverty in South Yorkshire.

• How Citizens Advice Doncaster links directly to employability and employee wellness across the region.

• What it really takes to lead a values-driven organisation in challenging times.

  
  

👉 Listen now to hear James’ inspiring leadership journey and gain insight into how Citizens Advice is changing lives in Doncaster and beyond.

👉 To connect directly with James, you can reach him via email at ceo@citizensadvice-doncasterborough.org

In this episode of the Yorkshire Business Podcast, Chloe sits down with Pete Shillito, Director of Shillito Exec and Adept Resourcing, and South Yorkshire Chairperson for the Institute of Directors (IOD).

We dive into the exciting wave of investment in South Yorkshire, exploring projects at Sheffield Forgemasters, IFA, Special Melted Products, and Castings Technology. Pete highlights how these investments go beyond creating jobs – they build skilled employment opportunities, strengthen the local supply chain, and boost the region’s manufacturing and production sector, which is now up by a sixth compared to pre-pandemic levels (IOD survey insights).

We also discuss the entrepreneurial landscape in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and what makes the local business community unique. With nearly 20 years’ experience in executive search and recruitment, Pete shares advice on building people-centred relationships with recruiters in a world increasingly driven by AI – reminding us why the human touch in recruitment still matters.

This episode is produced and sponsored by OneSource HR, Rotherham-based HR specialists supporting SMEs across Yorkshire with trauma-informed HR, workplace misconduct expertise, and practical HR solutions.

In this episode of Yorkshire Business Podcast, Margaret Wood from VMG Associates joins us, to challenge the reductive thinking that often hinders businesses from solving their most pressing problems, including the growing skills gaps. From gender inequality to ageism, there are countless barriers that employers face, barriers that are often self-imposed due to outdated perceptions of what work should look like.

Our host Chloe, explores how businesses are inadvertently limiting their own potential by sticking to rigid structures that exclude a large portion of the workforce. Whether it’s not embracing flexible working, not creating pathways for women to progress into senior roles, or failing to support an age-diverse workforce, these issues directly affect a company’s ability to be productive and innovative.

This is a must listen for business owners, leaders, and HR practitioners alike. Tune in and listen to Chloe and Margaret discuss how breaking down these barriers, whether gender, age, or work structure, can unlock a world of untapped potential, improving productivity and long-term success.

Connect with Margaret on LinkedIn here.

In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Breedon, mediator, trainer, and founder of Prospero Mediation and Training. Fresh from a lengthy career in the RAF, Chris shares his unique journey into the world of mediation, driven by a personal experience that ignited his passion for purposeful conflict resolution.

We dive into how organisations, despite their best efforts, often fall short when external pressures, like changing political landscapes can drive inequality and internal discord.

As two passionate professionals committed to positive and proactive people management, we explore some big questions, like whether internal HR practitioners are really the best choice for mediation.

Chris also gives us a glimpse into what typical mediation looks like, showing how SMEs can benefit from mediation before turning to costly employment solicitors. If you’re looking to understand how mediation can transform workplace dynamics, this episode is a must-listen!

Tune in and get inspired to take a more proactive approach to conflict resolution. 🎧✨