Leaders with Purpose

In this powerful episode of Leaders with Purpose, we sit down with Rachael Franklin, Chief Engagement Officer at Breast Cancer Now, to explore what it really takes to lead through transformation, growth and uncertainty.From her early days in telemarketing fundraising to navigating complex charity mergers and shaping a bold new five-year strategy, Rachael shares honest, practical insights on leadership, innovation and impact.This conversation comes at an exciting moment for Breast Cancer Now, who have just launched a bold new brand identity with a powerful ambition that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.As their digital partner, we’ve been proud to support this journey building the digital foundations over the last few years to help scale their impact, connect more people to support, and bring this vision to life.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and Rachael Franklin00:38 - Career journey: from telemarketing to leadership05:00 - Building strong partnerships and agency relationships06:17 - Personal connection to purpose and mission10:00 - Lessons from early fundraising and audience insight12:42 - Leadership journey and role at Breast Cancer Now13:43 - Navigating mergers and organisational change17:08 - The reality of integration and long-term transformation20:22 - Strategy, prioritisation, and finding your North Star25:00 - Digital transformation and scaling impact28:51 - AI in the charity sector: opportunities and challenges32:17 - Using AI to amplify human-led services34:55 - New five-year strategy: “Change Happens Now”37:26 - Key focus areas and future ambitions41:12 - Innovation, experimentation, and embracing uncertainty44:03 - Leadership advice: being okay without all the answersWhether you’re a leader in the charity sector, healthcare, digital transformation or purpose-driven business, this episode is packed with insights you can apply immediately.
Connect with us: Rachael Franklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-franklin-65aa4220/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

Leadership is changing fast.
Today’s workplaces are more complex, more diverse and more digitally connected than ever before. Research shows that modern organisations increasingly rely on team autonomy, trust and collaborative leadership models to keep up with rapid change and faster decision-making.
In this episode, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai explore what leadership really looks like in today’s world of work with Afsana Lachaux.
Afsana shares insights from a career spanning government, corporate and charity sectors, explaining why the best leaders stay curious, empower their teams and create environments where people feel confident to contribute ideas and challenge the status quo.
They also discuss the challenges many women leaders still face in the workplace, the importance of diversity and representation in leadership and why creating psychologically safe teams is essential for innovation and progress.
00:00 - Why adaptability is essential for modern leaders01:10 - Learning from different sectors and career experiences01:45 - Building teams based on complementary skills03:40 - Creating a culture of autonomy and trust05:00 - Leadership, confidence and imposter syndrome07:40 - Overcoming barriers as a woman of colour in leadership09:10 - Reframing “difficult women” and challenging norms10:30 - Feedback, learning and leadership growth11:40 - The power of reverse mentoring12:20 - Bridging generational gaps in the workplace
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe for more conversations about leadership, culture and the future of work.
And if this conversation sparked ideas for your own organisation, share it with a colleague who’s passionate about building better teams and better workplaces.
 
Connect with us:
Afsana Lachaux: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afsana-lachaux-029380237/
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

What does it truly mean to be a troublemaker for good? 
In this raw and deeply honest episode of Leaders with Purpose, hosts Lou and Rebecca Hull sit down with Afsana Lachaux, Director of the Sweaty Betty Foundation, a trailblazing leader with 30 years of experience tackling systemic inequality across local government, central government, commercial and the charity sector.
From setting up the UK's first race hate crime task force in Tower Hamlets, to shaping national labour market policy under Gordon Brown, to now empowering girls through movement. Afsana's story is one of conviction, courage and relentless purpose which makes her the perfect guest.
What they cover:- Being called "troublemaker" - The UK's first race hate crime task force - Working under Gordon Brown & the ethnic pay penalty - From civil service to charity sector - The Listen to Her campaign - Authenticity, integrity & what Gen Z won't forgive - Why 1 million+ girls quit sport - Change happens in the Changing Room - You're never too old to learn - Overcoming imposter syndrome as a woman of colour - The power of reverse mentoring - The pursuit of excellence in the charity sector - How to have difficult conversations - Boards, trustees & youth voice in governance - Making tough decisions in the not-for-profit sector - Setting boundaries as a leader - The double load women carry in the workplace - Why movement is Afsana's secret weapon - Honouring the people who shaped us
This episode is essential listening for charity leaders, purpose-driven professionals, women in leadership, and anyone working in social impact, education or the not-for-profit space.
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Connect with us: Afsana Lachaux: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afsana-lachaux-029380237/Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

How can charity leaders plan for the future when complexity is the norm? What does systems thinking look like in the charity sector?
In this mini episode of Leaders with Purpose, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai revisit key insights from their recent full-length conversation with Dr Claire Routley, Consultancy Director at Legacy Futures.
Legacy giving is inherently long term. But sustainable legacy programmes don’t sit in isolation - they’re shaped by supporter journeys, organisational culture, generational change and the wider social and economic systems charities operate within.
Timestamps:- What systems thinking means in practice- Moving beyond simple cause and effect in strategy- Why legacy fundraising can’t be added onto a weak supporter experience- Systems thinking as a leadership skill for the future- Why systems change is hard (and why charities are part of it)- Generational shifts, consumer trends and the future of legacy giving
This is a mini episode extracted from the full episode with Dr Claire Routley. If you’d like to explore future thinking, legacy fundraising trends and long-term charity leadership in more depth, you can find the full episode on our channel!
If you value conversations about charity leadership, systems change and future-focused fundraising strategy, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Leaders with Purpose.
Connect with us: Claire Rutley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

How can charity leaders plan for the future when uncertainty is the norm? And what does systems thinking actually look like in practice?
Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai are joined by Dr Claire Routley, Consultancy Director at Legacy Futures to explore systems thinking, futures thinking, legacy fundraising and the leadership skills charities will need in the years ahead.
Claire shares her journey into legacy fundraising, why legacies are one of the fastest-growing income streams in the sector and how leaders can think long-term without pretending the future is predictable.
Together, they cover:
- Why certainty is no longer a leadership strategy
- Claire Routley’s path into legacy fundraising
- Why legacy giving is growing and why it matters
- What systems thinking actually means in practice
- Why legacy can’t be separated from the wider supporter journey
- Futures thinking and planning for multiple possible outcomes
- Emotional intelligence, presence, and modern leadership
- Polymath leaders, curiosity, and leading alongside AI
- Gen Z, hope, and the future of the charity sector
- Leadership advice: holding space rather than having all the answers
Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations on leadership, charity and creating impact that lasts.
Subscribe to the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78ASRJjPQjcijfeFxyiafX?si=41269ee0af1a468dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-with-purpose/id1836126863
Connect with us: 
Claire Rutley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

AI is moving fast across the charity sector but are leadership teams and boards keeping pace?
In this mini episode of Leaders With Purpose, Zoe Amar shares key insights from the latest Charity Digital Skills Report and her work with charity leaders and trustees across the UK. While many charities are making real progress with digital and AI adoption, Zoe highlights a growing gap between innovation on the ground and confidence at board and CEO level.
This episode explores what the data is really telling us about AI readiness in charities, why leadership capability matters more than ever, and how boards can engage with AI without needing to become technical experts.
You’ll hear about:• Why over three quarters of charities are now using AI and what that progress is built on• The leadership and governance skills gap holding some organisations back• How boards and leaders can approach AI as a strategic and organisational challenge, not a technical one• Creating a culture of curiosity, learning, and safe experimentation• Agility over fixed AI roadmaps in a fast-moving and uncertain landscape
This is a snapshot of a much deeper conversation about leadership, vulnerability, governance, and responsible AI adoption in complex and sensitive contexts.
Listen to the full episode of Leaders With Purpose for the complete conversation with Zoe Amar, where we go deeper into leadership culture, ethics, service design, and what it really takes to lead well in the age of AI.
Subscribe for more conversations on purpose-driven leadership, technology, and the future of the charity sector, and hit the notification bell to get notified whenever a new episode comes out.Connect with us:
Zoe Amar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

Welcome to our first episode of 2026!
In this special episode of Leaders with Purpose, our hosts are joined by Zoe Amar - AI and digital transformation expert in the charity sector, founder of Zoe Amar Digital, and co-chair of the Charity AI Task Force.
Zoe shares her deeply human leadership journey, from early career pivots and moments of self-doubt to shaping how charities could approach AI, digital skills and responsible innovation today. 
Together, they explore what it really means to lead through uncertainty, especially when the pace of digital change feels relentless.
This conversation goes far beyond technology. We talk about vulnerability in leadership, representation and belonging, and why curiosity, service design and ethical decision-making matter more than ever as AI reshapes organisations.
You’ll hear:→ Why AI adoption is a leadership challenge, not a technical one→ How leaders can build confidence while sitting with uncertainty→ The future of governance, rethinking trusteeship and the skills needed for a successful future→ What the Charity Digital Skills Report reveals about readiness, risk and opportunity→ The case for service design, user needs and inclusion at the heart of innovation→ And much more!
This episode is essential listening for charity leaders, trustees, policymakers and anyone grappling with how to lead responsibly in a rapidly changing and AI world. Listen now and join the conversation!
If this episode resonates, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s thinking deeply about leadership, purpose and the future of work.
Connect with us: Zoe Amar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, we have a treat for you. We’ve collated a highlight reel of the best actionable advice from our recent Leader with Purpose guests (and some you haven't see yet, too)But we’re just getting started...We’ve got a massive lineup of speakers in the pipeline for the new year, including leaders from The Sweaty Betty Foundation, Legacy Futures, Tate and Designability.
Connect with this episode's guests:Daniela Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-flores-mprca-a12869/Dr David Hunt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-hunt/Louise Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lane-2765222a/Martine Parnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martineparnell/Claire Routley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/Zoe Amar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

What does it really mean to lead with purpose when the world feels unstable, expectations are rising, and trust is fragile?
In this episode of Leaders with Purpose, Daniela Flores joins the conversation to share what she’s seeing first-hand as organisations struggle to turn purpose from a statement into a lived experience. 
Drawing on her work with global businesses, Daniela reveals why so many leaders say the right things, yet fall short when it comes to consistency, trust, and follow-through.
Together, they discuss:- Why purpose can’t live in marketing alone- How leadership behaviour shapes culture- And why psychological safety has become one of the most important responsibilities leaders hold today
Daniela also shares practical insight into how leaders can navigate pressure without trying to have an opinion on everything, and how clarity, alignment, and consistency create a sense of safety for teams even when answers are incomplete.
This episode is for leaders who want to act with integrity, bring their people with them, and build cultures that can withstand uncertainty.
Connect with us:
Daniela Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-flores-mprca-a12869/
Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Purpose Union: https://www.purposeunion.com/
Manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

In this episode of Leaders With Purpose, we sit down with Daniela Flores, co-founder of Purpose Union. This social purpose strategy firm helps major organisations, including BLab, NatWest, SKY, RFU, Unilever and Wellcome, tackle some of today’s most complex societal challenges. Instead of circling the usual “purpose talk,” Daniela takes us inside the real pressures modern leaders face:
When should I speak?
What if we get cancelled for choosing a side?
How do we stay commercially strong and purpose-led?
What does “being brave” actually look like when the risks feel huge?
Daniela shares how purpose-driven organisations can find a voice that isn’t reactive, isn’t performative, and isn’t shaped by fear. From navigating geopolitical flashpoints to addressing DEI commitments, she explains how leaders can choose their lane without trying to comment on every issue or collapsing under public expectations.
We also explore what purpose looks like in a “woke vs. anti-woke” climate, where companies are told to speak up and stay silent at the same time. Daniela offers a grounded way to decide what matters, when to show leadership, and how to hold your integrity even when the stakes feel high.
The conversation moves between leadership tensions, parenting while leading a business, the rise of ethical AI, mentoring the next generation, and finding stability in a world that rewards outrage. It’s honest, warm and full of insight for anyone navigating modern leadership.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment with your reflections, and share this with someone who’d love it.
Connect with us:
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
Daniela Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-flores-mprca-a12869/
Purpose Union: https://www.purposeunion.com/
manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/