About Moving by the Seat of Our Pants: Navigating Global Mobility Trends
In this engaging podcast series, we journey alongside Global Mobility professionals who deftly navigate the ever-changing landscape of international work. Hosted by Expat Academy and EQUUS Software, along with industry experts and in-house leaders, each episode delves into critical topics relevant to 2024, 2025, and beyond. From policy twists to data-driven decision-making, join us as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and unexpected turns faced by those who manage the world’s workforce. Fasten your seatbelts—it’s going to be a dynamic ride!
The Human-First Future: GM's Role in a Worker-Empowered World
Global mobility functions have long measured success by logistics: visas processed on time, shipping arrived, start date met. But if those are the only metrics that matter, the function is missing the point entirely. The real question is whether people thrive during and after their assignments, and whether mobility teams are even equipped to find out.
Clare Eskriett from Hogan Lovells brings 28 years of experience and a personal stint as a single expat in Hong Kong to a conversation about what it genuinely means to put people at the centre of a mobility programme. She argues that the shift from company-led to worker-empowered mobility is not just about flexible policies; it is about understanding individuals, building real relationships, and using data that actually reflects human outcomes.
6 Aug 2026
The AI Reality Check: Efficiency, Ethics, and Why We Still Need Nice Pens
In this episode, Chris and Scott are joined by Neil Khimji from Equus Software to separate the substance from the soundbites. From hallucinations and guardrails, to the risk of losing your company’s identity in a ChatGPT rewrite. This is an honest, grounded look at what AI can and cannot do for global mobility teams right now.
3 Jun 2026
Strategic Localization: When a 'Local Plus' is More Than Just a Policy
International moves fail when companies treat employees like widgets and forget the human element. In this episode, we dive into the reality of strategic localisations with Gill Gordon from the Permits Foundation and Ros Harvey from Warner Music Group.
They expose a massive gap in corporate mobility: 83% of accompanying partners want to work abroad, but only 50% actually can. This single overlooked detail is costing businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds in failed assignments. Tune in to find out why duty of care cannot stop at the border, which countries are leading the way in family-friendly immigration, and how understanding individual circumstances keeps your top talent from packing up and heading home.
20 May 2026
The ROI Reckoning: Proving the Value of Mobility in a Budget-Conscious World
How do you prove the value of global mobility programs when traditional ROI metrics fall short? Ben Hooper from Pickfords Relocation reveals why measuring mobility success requires more than spreadsheets and cost reports. Drawing from 13 years across tax advisory, client services, and strategic roles, he explores the gap between what mobility teams track and what senior leadership actually values.
15 Apr 2026
The Journey of Perform to Transform in Global Mobility
Most mobility functions struggle to escape operational urgency to become truly strategic. Steven McNabola from Rolls-Royce shares how he transformed both himself and his mobility team by listening to business needs first, then building four clear strategic pillars around those insights.
This conversation reveals practical frameworks for shifting from reactive to strategic thinking, maintaining team motivation through continuous change, and why personal transformation as a leader directly impacts professional success.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(00:00) Introduction
(03:47) The journey from humble beginnings to mobility leadership
(08:29) Finding work-life balance after burnout
(13:06) Why the shadow of a leader affects team performance
(15:08) Moving from operational tasks to strategic thinking
(19:27) Building a mobility strategy by listening to business stakeholders
(22:18) The four strategic pillars that guide every decision
(25:02) When and how to push back on business demands
(27:41) Validation sessions to keep strategy relevant
(31:32) Maintaining team motivation through continuous transformation
(34:18) Creating team culture through celebration and recognition
(37:56) The competitive bowling incident that became team legend
Links mentioned in this episode:
Steven McNabola on LinkedIn
2 Mar 2026
The Unseen Costs of Mobility: From Shadow Payroll to Permanent Establishment
In this episode, Steph Carr from BDO joins Moving By The Seat of Our Pants for a deep dive into the hidden risks that can derail even the best mobility strategies. From shadow payroll to permanent establishment exposure in today’s remote and hybrid world, Steph unpacks the tax, compliance and commercial realities mobility professionals can’t afford to ignore.
14 Jan 2026
The New Relocation: Beyond Housing and Household Goods
James Speirs, the Vice President of Client Services at RelocationOnline, joins Moving By The Seat of Our Pants to unpack how relocation and employee support have evolved beyond traditional, logistics-focused models.
Find out more about the shift toward a more holistic approach – one that emphasises wellbeing, flexibility, and technology – shaped by Covid, Gen Z expectations, and increasing demands around compliance, cost control, and AI. It’s a highlight on how global mobility teams are adapting to balance employee experience with organisational priorities.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(03:05) An accidental journey into mobility
(04:39) Relocation trends from goods to holistic support
(09:31) Rethinking global mobility priorities
(13:29) Effective compliance for cost control
(15:53) Relocation benefits and the evolving business rationale
(18:39) Candidate assessment in relocation
(21:39) Why mobility lags in wellbeing
(25:09) Prioritising wellbeing in mobility
(30:30) From gatekeepers to strategic partners
(33:24) Person-led AI enhancing efficiency
(35:52) The future of connected mobility solutions
(37:58) Enhancing the digital employee experience
Links mentioned in this episode:
James Speirs on LinkedIn
RelocationOnline
3 Dec 2025
The Next Generation of Assignees: Gen Z, Millennials, and the Demand for Purpose
Kathryn Blackley-Smith is the Global Mobility Senior Manager EMEA at Alvarez & Marsal. Join us as we dive headfirst into the next generation of international assignees – think Gen Zs and Millennials – and what truly motivates them to take on assignments abroad. You’ll hear candid stories about falling into global mobility entirely by chance, myth-busting about what these younger employees really want (hint: it’s not just about the money), and a real look at how modern policies need to do more to support people as individuals, not just moving parts.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(04:08) EMEA global mobility leadership
(08:10) Balancing work, life and growth
(12:05) Global mobility guiding and supporting
(14:40) Balancing business and employee needs
(18:42) Navigating global mobility challenges
(20:02) Adapting mobility for Gen Z
(23:56) Mental load: a growing awareness
(27:34) Flexible policies for dynamic needs
(30:19) Policies ignoring dual-income norm
(33:25) Centralised immigration support platform utopia
(36:53) Mental health support for relocation
(39:28) Support during key challenges
Links mentioned in this episode:
Kathryn Blackley-Smith on LinkedIn
Alvarez & Marsal
5 Nov 2025
Mission Impossible: How GM Went From Moving People to Managing Everything
Jennifer Dyer, Global Consulting Leader EMEA from Cartus, unpacks how global mobility has evolved from simply moving people to managing everything international – often with limited resources and endless new challenges. From compliance and remote work to geopolitical curveballs, the trio explore why mobility has become the go-to function for solving complex global problems.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(00:00) Jen’s journey through global mobility and consulting
(05:21) How mobility teams are adapting to constant change
(10:15) Confidence, boundaries and the power of networking
(13:17) Balancing urgency with practicality in mobility
(18:03) Rethinking workforce strategies for a global world
(21:42) Building mobility policies that actually fit your business
(23:06) Managing burnout and finding strategic balance
(27:54) The realities of burnout and shrinking budgets
(30:43) Understanding responsibility in global mobility
(34:45) How to prove global mobility’s value internally
(38:15) Aligning mobility with wider business goals
(39:24) The shifting role of global mobility today
Links mentioned in this episode:
Jennifer Dyer on LinkedIn
Cartus
8 Oct 2025
Back to the Future: Balancing Tech, Talent and Trust with Liesal Rudlin
As we kick off Season Two of Moving by the Seat of Our Pants, hosts Chris Blair and Scott Turner sit down with Liesal Rudlin, experienced Global Head of Mobility with on-the-ground experience across South Africa, Kenya, the UK and Hungary. Together, they unpack how global mobility has evolved – from the early days of expat assignments to today’s hybrid, tech-driven and ever-more complex landscape.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(05:20) Decoding mobility's complexity
(07:55) Unpacking the core flex concept
(12:01) The “Shiny Toy Syndrome” in business
(13:40) Mobility impact and value focus
(16:48) Efficient global payroll governance
(20:30) Relocation process insights
(26:31) Challenges facing mobility teams
(27:26) Creating bespoke employee experiences
(31:57) Simplifying mobility: human-centric approach
(35:21) Questioning immigration task coordination
(38:08) Mobility: future, people and mistakes
Links mentioned in this episode:
Liesal Rudlin on LinkedIn
3 Sept 2025
Compliance Crossroads - Navigating the Legal Complexities
In this episode, Chris Blair and Scott Turner are joined by compliance experts Katy Bond from Grant Thornton and Rachel Harrington from Slaughter and May. They unpack one of mobility’s most critical and misunderstood challenges: compliance.
From navigating shifting regulations and Brexit’s lasting impact to balancing employee experience with risk management, hear their takeaways on streamlining processes, preparing for a digital compliance landscape, and correcting common misconceptions.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(03:53) Career journey in mobility consulting
(07:59) Compliance and strategic mobility
(10:07) Frequent business traveller compliance issues
(15:03) Challenges in decentralised organisational models
(18:57) Navigating complex mobility challenges
(20:21) Compliance challenges in business
(24:07) Assessing and managing business risks
(26:31) Adapting risk strategies post-COVID
(30:19) Compliance crossroads and flexibility
(34:47) Proactive stakeholder management
Links mentioned in this episode:
Rachel Harrington on LinkedIn
Katy Bond on LinkedIn
30 Jul 2025
Data Analytics Flightpath – Leveraging Data for Smoother Operations
What does it really take to make global mobility work? In this episode, we sit down with Cat Vose from Vodafone and Mike Hibberd from Global Expat Pay. They pull back the curtain on the often messy, high-stakes reality of managing a global workforce.
We talk about the power of data, as well as the danger of leaning on it too much. When should you trust your gut over the numbers? How do you build trust with internal stakeholders who just don’t get it yet? And why, sometimes, the breakthrough comes not from the perfect spreadsheet, but from asking a better question.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(05:30) Solving assignee frustrations: data disconnect
(11:06) Understanding mobility's operational flow
(15:03) Global payroll and tax coordination
(17:24) Streamlining finance team processes
(22:35) Vodafone's tech and simplicity focus
(24:47) Mindset shift for data-driven decisions
(28:44) Balancing data with storytelling
(32:24) Stakeholder-centric understanding
(35:11) Navigating negative leadership feedback
(38:26) Beyond buzzwords: evidence-based mindset
(43:23) Stakeholder engagement in data strategy
(45:32) Streamlining operational data management
Links mentioned in this episode:
Cat Vose on LinkedIn
Mike Hibberd on LinkedIn
Global Expat Pay
4 Jun 2025
The Human Edge: Leveraging Technology to Transform Global Mobility
Client Success Director Emily Stevens from EQUUS Software discusses how technology enhances global mobility by allowing teams to be more human, improving employee experience, and focusing on what matters in this interview.
7 May 2025
Visa Ventures - How to Lead Mobility When the Rules Keep Changing
Visa rules are changing, expectations are rising, and global mobility teams are stuck navigating the grey. Joanne Taylor and Anita Ofis from Immigration Law firm Magrath Sheldrick LLP join the show to unpack myths around immigration law, real-world visa challenges, and what compliance really looks like post-Brexit and post-pandemic. From remote work headaches to policy blind spots, they dive into the risk, the reality, and the unexpected humour of getting global talent where they need to be.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(05:32) How the UK immigration system has evolved
(07:01) The impact of remote work on immigration
(10:40) Why UK business visitor rules are still unclear
(14:43) Post-Brexit business travel: what's changed
(16:59) The rise of intelligence-led immigration penalties
(20:44) What an annual workforce risk assessment really means
(25:02) The hidden challenges of short-term work travel
(27:16) Visas, planning, and staying flexible
(29:31) Border entry: why every experience is different
(35:49) What makes decision-making so tough for GM teams
(38:12) Navigating immigration with cost constraints
(40:13) Clawback clauses and compliance risks
(43:50) When immigration policies lead to employment discrimination
(46:54) Why you need to audit your current position now
Links mentioned in this episode:
Magrath Sheldrick LLP
3 Apr 2025
The Diversity Dilemma - How to promote greater DE&I in Global Mobility
Explore the reasons behind under representation in Expat populations and how companies are overcoming these issues with a variety of techniques and approaches. This Episode of ”Moving by the seat of our pants” will spark your creative approach to driving greater inclusivity in your global mobility programme!
13 Feb 2025
"Employee Expedition" - Moving from Company Centred to Employee Centric Policies
In this Episode of ”Moving by the seat of our pants” we’re joined by Radhika Gorsia from Airinc and Sonal Wadher and Payal Khakhria from Tesco as we delve into what it means to have truly employee centric approaches to Global Mobility Policies.
7 Jan 2025
"Policy Pivot Points" - Exploring the changing landscape of Global Mobility Policies
Welcome to "Moving by the Seat of Our Pants," where hosts Chris Blair from Expat Academy and Scott Turner from Equus Software dive into the dynamic world of global mobility. In this episode, special guest Claire Fielding from AirInc joins us to explore the evolution of global mobility policies.
Discover Claire's unique journey from chartered accountant to global mobility expert as she shares her insights on the power of empathy and the importance of flexibility in policy design. Tune in as we discuss the growing demand for remote work and virtual assignments, the impact of shifting workforce demographics, and strategies for balancing compliance, duty of care, and employee experience.
Join us as we delve into the nuances of creating policies that truly support a diverse and mobile workforce, ensuring that the well-being and needs of individuals are not lost in the process. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode offers valuable guidance on navigating the ever-changing landscape of global mobility.
4 Dec 2024
"Cost Control Manoeuvres” - Avoiding the race to the bottom
Chris Blair from Expat Academy and Scott Turner from Equus Software join Ros Harvey and Andy Hawtin to explore cost control strategies in global mobility, balancing efficiency with employee experience.
4 Nov 2024
“Navigating the Unknown” - Introduction to the dynamic world of global mobility
Join us in ”Moving By the Seat of Our Pants” as Kate Fitzpatrick from Mercer discusses the evolving landscape of global mobility, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in managing a global workforce.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
3
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
50
Host of Moving by the Seat of Our Pants: Navigating Global Mobility Trends?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
