ERUPT

Charley Lucas (Interim IT Manager at Annapurna) continues his latest podcast series with leaders in the IT space by sitting down with Ralf Hellebrand (Head of Division IT at Vodafone) for an insightful discussion on ‘Gliding Through Transformation’.
 
In this episode, Ralf delves into the growing pressures of today’s accelerated and unpredictable business climate and its impact on leading transformations.
 
Ralf highlights that business stability has diminished compared to decades ago and emphasised the need to master the skill of managing the “known unknowns” in order to execute successful transformations.
 
During the discussion, Ralf’s fascinating and unique hobby became apparent – gliding planes, which surprisingly has a lot more in common with transformation leadership than you’d initially think.
 
Drawing a unique analogy, Ralf explained that just as gliders rely on unpredictable natural forces, transformation leaders must navigate uncertain environments.
 
Whether you work in IT, are leading (or preparing to lead) your organisation through a complex transformation, or are simply intrigued by the art of gliding, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice.

In this week’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Estelle Hollingsworth, who was the Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic at the time of recording and is now the Chief People Officer at McArthurGlen Group.
Estelle is a firm believer in the idea that employees perform at their best when they feel happy, secure, and valued - a belief that challenges the traditional idea that high performance comes solely from pressure and resilience.
She shares her perspective on why prioritising employee happiness isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ but a strategic advantage that leads to stronger business results.
Estelle also uses her experience to elaborate on other key areas surrounding leadership and HR professionals such as, the role of leadership in shaping workplace culture, the power of emotional intelligence, and how organisations can create environments where people thrive.
Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about the future of work, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode, Cristina-Gabriela Nita (Senior Tech Director) talks to Charley Lucas (IT Contracts and Senior Appointments Manager at Annapurna) about a phrase that she has coined herself, BizDecSecAIOps.
The BizDevSecOps methodology has now been around for a number of years with the aim of optimising the software development lifecycle through the efficient collaboration between the business, development and ops teams.
The evolution of AI and the opportunity that it presents to businesses can be intertwined within this as a way of encouraging business leaders and employees to embrace AI's capabilities.

In this week's episode, we are delighted to be joined by Rui Casias (CEO at Funcom) to discuss the role of the CEO in one of the most exciting and fast-paced industries in which to work, the gaming industry.
Funcom are one of those organisations that you may not have heard of themselves but you'll definitely know the games they build and develop, which include the Conan series and the highly anticipated, Dune Awakening.
In this fascinating conversation, James Ballard (Co-Founder at Annapurna) speaks to Rui about what the role of leadership and how to navigate some of the continued challenges with an ever-growing remote workforce.
Rui began at Funcom as a programmer and has earned his stripes through working his way up to his current role as CEO. Rui talks about navigating his role as a CEO, what we should be looking for from our next generation of hires and what the future of the gaming industry looks like, amongst a plethora of other conversations.

In this episode, Charley Lucas, IT Contracts and Senior Appointments Manager at Annapurna, talks to Cristina-Gabriela Nita, Senior Tech Director, about AI and the opportunity that it presents to businesses when used correctly.
One of her key messages is that AI shouldn't be feared or seen as a job stealer. Instead, she encourages business leaders and employees to embrace AI's capabilities, seeing it as a tool to revolutionise the way we work.
Throughout the episode, Cristina-Gabriela, emphasises the need to remember that AI is not new, it's simply that the advancements of the existing technology are accelerating at unseen speeds. Despite this rapid evolution, AI will always be governed by human oversight with GDPR and other logistical barriers ensuring human control is still essential.
Beyond the scope of AI, Cristina-Gabriela also discusses her own journey as a woman in tech, sharing experiences that shaped her career and led to who she is today.
Listen to the full episode now to get invaluable insights into the world of AI through the eyes and know-how of a seasoned tech expert.

This week's episode is rather special as we look back to 2020 when the late Professor Peter Saville (Chairman and Founder at 10x Psychology) sat down virtually to chat with James Ballard, Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Annapurna.
In this exclusive session, Professor Peter Saville introduces 'Workplace Psychology'.
James Ballard (Co-Founder at Annapurna) talks to Peter about his life, his experiences as a serial entrepreneur, an industry-changing academic, and some of his own personal interests and anecdotes from an amazing career.
Peter's impact on business is so enormous it's unquantifiable. The psychometric tests he's written and designed have likely helped millions around the world find the right fit, in the right job at the right company. His status as a legend within the HR industry has been well and truly earned. 

Continuing the new series of ERUPT, and the first episode of the series in 2025, we open up the conversation on 'Start-up Stories: When To Bring in a CRO/ CCO?'
Tom Walsh (Executive Search Manager at Annapurna) is joined by Angeley Mullins (CMO & CCO) for a fascinating discussion on the key stages start-up organisations go through and where the focus should be to excel.
Falling back on her own experiences, Angeley describes the mistakes most founders make when it comes to progressing through the start-up stages, how essential getting your first hires right is, and the importance of building teams that work well together, not against one another.
Listen now to hear from an established CMO & CCO on the timeline of a successful start-up.

Have you ever felt that there is something greater you could be contributing to the world, either personally or professionally?
Alistair Palmar, an experienced Mindset & Performance Coach at 49 Consulting LLP, recently sat down with James Ballard, Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Annapurna, to educate us on how to listen to that voice that’s telling us we want something more, and act on it, rather than pushing it to the back of our to-do list.
Alistair shares transformative insights on breaking free from societal expectations, rediscovering what truly brings you joy, and making bold choices to align your career and lifestyle with what matters most to you.
From practical strategies for reconnecting with passions you’ve left behind to actionable advice on making meaningful life changes, this conversation will leave you inspired to:
✅ Acknowledge who you are and where you want to go✅ Say "yes" to the things that spark joy and "no" to what doesn’t✅ Start building a life driven by your goals - not others’ expectations
If you're ready to trade burnout for purpose and rediscover the spark that once motivated you, this episode is your first step toward lasting change.
Listen now to take the first step to a new you.

Amanda Rajkumar, an inspiring HR leader with experience at global giants like BNP Paribas and Adidas, recently joined James Ballard, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Annapurna, for an open and honest chat about her incredible journey, both personal and professional.
From her early days growing up in Northampton, UK, to stepping into the world of tech headhunting, and later taking on exciting challenges abroad in New York and Germany, Amanda’s story is a testament to finding your passion and working hard to achieve success within it.
In this episode, Amanda shares how her upbringing shaped her drive to succeed, why she chose HR after studying Psychology at University, and what her years of experience have taught her, offering valuable advice for anyone looking to forge a similar path.
Whether you’re in HR or simply looking for inspiration to tackle your own challenges, Amanda’s story will leave you feeling motivated and inspired.
Listen now to hear Amanda's thoughts on the direction of HR and why she believes that the future success of organisations depends on their ability to develop exceptional leaders.