keyworkers

In this episode, in collaboration with SHINE, Rupert talks to police officers currently working for the metropolitan police about their experiences during lockdown, and offers methods of coping with the high stress situations they face daily in their jobs. SHINE wellbeing are a holistic, authentic service, enhancing staff's mental resilience within the Metropolitan police service. 

This week, Ian Fitch speaks to Mark Ferguson, managing director of Castle Colour Packaging, a specialist packaging manufacturer in Norwich. They produce packaging for well-known brands including Pritt Stick and Eat Natural, among many others. The business has a focus on being the best it can be, while leading in sustainability and recyclable products.

Mark’s insights into lockdown offer a unique perspective in this series, as they were identified as an essential business at the start of the first lockdown. They were able to continue trading, albeit with new safety measures in place for staff, while also having to adapt to new and changing demands for their products. He describes how it was all about feeling safe at work and staying efficient.

Mark reflects on their government COVID spot check, and how the resilience and commitment of his team played a huge part in their successes during the last year. He also explains the measures that the company put in place to aid the wellbeing of the team.

He discusses the opportunities they identified for Research and Development through their work on sustainability; what his personal weaknesses are, and how he strives to make everyone around him better than him; the benefits of having a non-executive director on your board; how promoting from within is good for business; how running a business is like playing a game of rugby; and how experience outside family businesses is key, citing his time as a young man spent working for McDonald’s as a fantastic opportunity to learn about processes and discipline.

Mark’s personal journey, as a man at the top of a key part of the ‘pandemic economy,’ and the success he has had building Castle Colour, make for a fascinating listen.

We would love to hear from you, get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast!

Show notes:
Legacy by James Kerr: What the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life
You might like: Impromptu Business Chat – special interview with BBC Radio 4’s Simon Mundie, on how sport is a metaphor for business

www.larking-gowen.co.uk/insights

(c) Larking Gowen LLP

Welcome to the latest episode of the GLOBAL edition of our What Matters in Edtech Series, our podcast collaboration with Bett. This podcast series is all about the things that matter in education, and how and when tech might help. 

Thank you to Bett for supporting this series and to Pearson for supporting this episode.

What's in this episode?

Follow the conversation, share and comment using #edtechpod and #Bett2021.

People

• Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, Pearson BTEC and Apprenticeship | Twitter: @RampersaudCindy
• Mark Steed, Principal and CEO, Kellett School | Twitter: @independenthead
• Naomi Dardai, Health Care Assistant at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, soon to be a Trainee Nursing Associate. Previously studied a BTEC in Health and Social Care at City College Norwich
• Sophie Bailey is the Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast | Twitter: @podcastedtech

Show Notes and References  

You can find links to any references from the episode in our show notes: https://theedtechpodcast.com/edtechpodcast.

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