
Behind the Suit and Tie
By Tahmid Chowdhury

Behind the Suit and TieMay 05, 2022

Episode #18 - Speaking with Kush Rajde
This week, I’m joined with Kush Rajde, a tech lover in the field of sales and marketing. In this episode we speak about working in sales, living and working in Mumbai and how to keep productive in a digital age.
I had a very interesting conversation with Kush, learning more about his life working in India as well as his views on how to remain productive and healthy despite the proliferation of gadgets around us

Episode #17 - Speaking with Alam Supani
This week I’m joined by Alam Supani, who is a Technology Sales Professional based out of the Middle East and originally from the UK.
We speak about living and working in Dubai, how it’s been moving away from the UK, as well as what drew Alam into Sales. We also speak about youth development and community work.
I really enjoyed the perspective to learn more about life in Dubai as well as the decisions people take to move across to a different country.

Episode #16 - Speaking with Redwan Ahmed
This week I’m joined by Redwan Ahmed, a case administrator at the National Probation Service. We talk about the role he plays within his work, as well as the things he does outside of his job, including running Careers Pal.
I enjoyed learning more about Redwan’s job as well as his intrinsic motivation to do more by supporting university students into employment.

Episode #15 - Speaking with Rituja Rao
This week, I speak with Rituja Rao, an award winning delivery manager and emerging thought leader in UK Industry. Rituja is a senior enterprise project manager at Deliveroo.
We speak about Rituja’s journey into tech, as well as tech careers more widely. We speak about the difference in project manager roles and the future of work.
I enjoyed learning more about Rituja’s career path and the interesting views she had about how the world of work will change

Episode #14 - Speaking with Andrew Weeks
This week I’m speaking with Andrew Weeks, a technical product manager. We talk about what a product manager does within an organisation, as well as discuss features around building a good corporate culture. We also explore the different ways in which organisations can build career paths.
I really enjoyed speaking with Andrew to better understand the mentality of tech firms around Agile practices, as well as discussing how corporate culture can be positive harnessed.

Episode #13 - Speaking with Constantin Muraru
This week I speak with Constantin Muraru, who is a Senior Policy Advisor at the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed.
We speak about the fascinating world of insects, how they can play a role in our dietary habits in Europe, and what he does as a policy advisor in what is a young sector. We also talk about the role it can play in wider sustainability and the environment.
I've only recently been introduced to the concept of insects as nutrition and learnt a lot from hearing it from the perspective of Constantin. There are lots of practical considerations, however there is also a real opportunity for a healthier, more environmentally friendly food and livestock.

Episode #12 - Speaking with Luke Beckley
I speak with Luke Beckley, a data analytics specialist and data privacy manager.
We speak about data and the challenges between analytics and compliance, as well as personal data safety. We also spoke about the mix between grand policies (e.g. GDPR) and the practicalities of implementation. I found it great to hear about data from someone clearly exceptionally passionate about it. I also loved his clear call to action to ensure we are in control of our own personal data and who has access to it.

Episode #11 - Speaking with Alfie Jenkins
This week I speak with Alfie Jenkins, Membership Teams Administrator at the Royal Statistical Society. We speak about his career path and finding a role during lockdown, about how we got to know one another during University, and the stigma of being a gamer as an adult.

Episode #10 - Speaking with Anna Brunmayr
I speak with Anna Brunmayr, Leadership Coach working with new managers and coach for a coach training school. We talk about what coaches do, and the different styles coaches can have. I found it fascinating to hear about what Anna does and her style of coaching, which is very different to mine!

Episode #9 - Speaking with Derrick Omondi
I speak with Derrick Omondi, Contact Centre Operations Manager & Adviser in Nairobi, Kenya. We talk about his work in improving culture through his different initiatives and issues around diversity and inclusion
I enjoyed speaking with Derrick as it opened my eyes to the initiatives that are happening outside of Europe and the US. It’s great to hear how his work makes a real impact, and it’s reaffirming to hear that his challenges and ways to success are similar.

Episode #8 - Speaking with Jess Gosling
I speak with Jess Gosling, Senior Policy Advisor in the UK Government and Co-Chair of the Civil Service Neurodiversity Network.
We speak about Jess’ experience living with dyslexia and ADHD, and what she does to support others in her role.
I learnt so much from Jess about neurodiversity, what multi hyphenate means, as well as about her own experience.
Here is Jess’ newsletter on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-standard-brain-6664042246687600640/

Episode #7 Speaking with Stuart Bolus
We speak about our experiences working in the Civil Service and being part of the same Staff Network as well as the conundrums of having dual nationality, and what that can mean.
I enjoyed speaking with Stuart and reconnecting with him. The conversation prompted me to think more about my own dual nationality and the inherent tensions of being either one nationality or the other.

Episode #6 Speaking with Jimi Okubanjo
I speak with Jimi Okubanjo, who is producing a feature film, ‘Vanishing Women’, which tells the story of working through racism and sexism in the UK.
We talk about career transition from a management consultant and what a producer does on a day to day basis.
I learnt a lot from speaking with Jimi, particularly from her reflections on the experiences of women in the UK and navigating the issues from her own experience.
You can connect with Jimi here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/folajimi/

Episode #5 - Speaking with Jared Allmond
I speak with Jared Allmond who works in the E-learning industry on legal compliance, and environmental safety and health. Jared’s passion lies in organisational culture.
During the conversation, we speak about speaking with leaders, cultural difference and diversity, community building through social media (including LinkedIn and Clubhouse).
I really enjoyed learning from Jared about how he approaches senior leaders and about his views from a US perspective. I also learnt a lot from his approach to social media!
Jared also shared his podcast, Positive Directions. Season One was recorded this year, with Season Two coming in 2022.

Episode #4 - Speaking with Costa Christou

Episode #3 - Speaking with Pooja Patel

Episode #2 - Speaking with Peter Boyle
Today I speak with Peter Boyle – Political Officer at the UK Mission to the European Union and self-described long-term EU bubble resident. We speak about his role coordinating policy files and supporting international policy negotiations, as well as his journey from the Beer Industry into international diplomacy.

Episode #1 - Speaking with Manolis Batistakis
Our first podcast where I was joined by Manolis Batistakis - sales professional, aviation lover and hospitality enthusiast. We speak about working in the aviation industry during COVID, reflections on adversity and shifting perspectives from work-oriented to something bigger.