Leaders with Purpose

In this mini episode of Leaders With Purpose, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai revisit their conversation with Dr David Hunt, Director of Digital, Data and Technology at the Royal College of Anaesthetists, to dive into the foundations of digital transformation - the parts that don’t always make the headlines, but make all the difference.
David shares how to keep large-scale transformation projects on track: setting clear milestones, creating strong governance, and bringing people with you through every stage of change. 
It’s a practical, honest look at what it really takes to make transformation work inside complex organisations.
We talk about:
- What digital transformation really means for purpose-led organisations- How governance and sign-off structures keep projects steady and fair- Managing resistance and building trust through communication- The vital role of project managers in keeping change moving- Why listening, empathy, and clarity matter more than any framework
This episode is a companion to “Dr David Hunt on leading digital transformation at the Royal College of Anaesthetists”, where David shares his broader leadership journey and lessons from leading change with purpose, so go check that out for a deeper dig into the topic.
Join the conversation and discover why the most unglamorous parts of digital transformation are often the ones that make lasting impact. 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share it with someone steering change in their organisation - they’ll thank you for it!
Connect with us:
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
Dr David Hunt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-hunt/
Royal College of Anaesthetics: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/
manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

What does real digital transformation look like when you strip away the jargon?
In this episode of Leaders With Purpose, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai sit down with Dr David Hunt, Director of Digital, Data and Technology at the Royal College of Anaesthetists, to talk about what it really takes to drive change that lasts - and why getting the basics right is anything but boring.
David shares the story of his unexpected career path - from studying maths and running a charity in rural China to leading multi-million-pound transformation programmes in UK charities. 
It’s a conversation about courage, curiosity, and learning to lead through others.
Together, they dig into:
- What digital transformation really means (and why it’s not just a new website)- Why foundations and governance matter more than “shiny tech”- How to bring people with you through complex change- Creating psychological safety and space for honest conversations- The opportunities and limits of AI in the charity and health sectors- How to balance ambition with accessibility and inclusion- Why curiosity, humour, and continuous learning are the quiet superpowers of good leadership
It’s a grounded and hopeful look at leading digital change with purpose - from someone who’s lived the highs, lows, and spreadsheet-deep realities of transformation.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share it with someone steering change in their organisation - they’ll thank you for it!
Connect with us:
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
Dr David Hunt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-hunt/
Royal College of Anaesthetics: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/
manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

What does it really take to nurture innovation inside one of the UK’s most iconic institutions?
In this mini episode, our hosts sit down with Martine Parnell, Director of Digital & Marketing at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), to explore how psychological safety, experimentation, and collaboration shape the way her teams work.
Martine shares how creating the right environment - where people feel safe to speak up, test ideas, and learn from mistakes - is essential to driving both creativity and impact. 
Together, they explore:
Why psychological safety fuels teamwork, retention, and innovation.
How the RHS fosters a culture of continuous improvement and open learning.
The power of blending multidisciplinary teams - from scientists to horticulturalists.
Insights into the RHS’s digital transformation, including the creation of RHS Grow, an app that empowers gardeners with AI-driven advice and helps map cultivated plants across the UK.
How data from digital platforms is shaping sustainability, scientific research, and the future of UK gardens.
This conversation is a reminder that cultivating innovation isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about creating the space for curiosity, iteration, and collaboration to flourish.
Turn the notification bell on to hear more unfiltered stories from leaders across non-profits, higher education, culture, and social impact.

How do you transform a 200-year-old organisation without losing what makes it special?
In this episode, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai chat with Martine Parnell, who leads membership, marketing and digital at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). 
Martine shares what it’s really like driving change inside a much-loved charity - from the challenges of legacy systems to the magic of bringing diverse teams together.
Together, they talk about:
 Why psychological safety matters so much if you want people to innovate.
 How to balance the “heavy lifting” of transformation with the quick wins that keep teams motivated.
Why gardening might just hold the secret to resilience in uncertain times.
Martine also lifts the lid on the RHS Grow app - complete with an AI-powered chat botanist - and how data from millions of gardeners could shape the future of biodiversity in the UK.
It’s a conversation about curiosity, courage, and finding hope in small everyday actions.
Turn the notification bell on to hear more unfiltered stories from leaders across non-profits, higher education, culture, and social impact.

Leadership isn’t just about vision and strategy. It’s about the moments when you have to make hard choices that won’t please everyone.
Join us once again in this mini episode of Leaders with Purpose, as we sit down with Louise Lane, Chief Marketing & Partnerships Officer at UNICEF UK, to talk about the messy, human side of leadership. 
From returning off maternity leave straight into a major organisational restructure, to facing decisions that impact people’s jobs, Louise shares how she’s learned to hold onto resilience and purpose even when the path forward feels uncertain.
We talk about what it really means to:
Live with constant change and uncertainty in the non-profit sector
Lead teams through restructuring without losing your humanity
Recognise the “trade-offs” of purpose-led work that few people speak about
Louise also reflects on the books, mentors, and frameworks that shaped her leadership including ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’  by Spencer Jonhson and ‘Uncertainty Experts’ by Sam Conniff.
If you’ve ever wondered what leadership really feels like behind the job titles and press releases, this conversation is for you!
Turn the notification bell on to hear more unfiltered stories from leaders across non-profits, higher education, culture, and social impact.
References:
Who moved my cheese? By Spencer Johnson: https://amzn.eu/d/ceG8Gv1
Uncertainty Experts by Sam Conniff: https://www.uncertaintyexperts.com/
UNICEF UK Soccer Aid: https://www.socceraid.org.uk/
Connect with us:
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
Louise Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lane-2765222a/

What does it really take to lead with purpose in today’s world?
In this episode of Leaders with Purpose, hosts Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai sit down with Louise Lane, Chief Marketing & Partnerships Officer at UNICEF UK, to explore the realities of purpose-led leadership.
Louise has spent over 18 years at UNICEF, growing from a marketing executive role into executive leadership. Along the way, she’s led through humanitarian emergencies, shaped global campaigns like Soccer Aid, and steered UNICEF UK through major organisational change.
In this episode, Louise shares her reflections on:
Building a career with purpose (and making sideways moves that accelerate growth)
Leading through uncertainty, ambiguity, and organisational transformation
The power of connection, community, and “your village” as a leader
Open strategy, co-design, and why progress matters more than perfection
This is an honest, candid, and deeply human conversation about leadership in the non-profit and social impact sector but with lessons that resonate far beyond!
Whether you’re leading a team, navigating change, or simply curious about the future of leadership, you’ll take away practical wisdom and inspiration to apply in your own journey.
Don’t forget to turn your notifications for more conversations with leaders across higher education, culture, membership, social impact, and beyond.
References:Who moved my cheese? By Spencer Johnson: https://amzn.eu/d/ceG8Gv1
Uncertainty Experts by Sam Conniff: https://www.uncertaintyexperts.com/
UNICEF UK Soccer Aid: //www.socceraid.org.uk/
Connect with us:
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
Louise Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lane-2765222a/

Leadership has changed. In today’s world, it’s not about the old playbook - it’s about leading with purpose, resilience, and authenticity. 
Welcome to Leaders with Purpose. Hosted by Rebecca, Managing Director at manifesto, and Lou Lai, Chief Client and Transformation Officer, this brand-new podcast explores what it really means to lead with purpose in today’s world.
In this introductory episode, Rebecca and Lou share:
Why they started the Leaders with Purpose podcast
The challenges and opportunities of purpose-led leadership
Lessons from decades of digital transformation and non-profit sector experience
The importance of community, vulnerability, and learning together
Whether you’re navigating transformation in your organisation, building a purpose-driven culture, or simply curious about the future of leadership, this podcast will give you fresh insights, honest reflections, and inspiration from leaders across sectors including higher education, membership, culture, social impact, and beyond.
Join the movement. Share your story. And don’t forget to turn your notifications on to stay updated with new episodes!
First episode coming soon!Connect with us:
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/