Welcome to Shifting the Needle, a podcast by the Executive Coaching Consultancy and presented by Geraldine Gallacher. Drawing on 26 years of executive coaching experience, on Shifting the Needle Geraldine explores issues around diversity, equality and leadership and invites some fascinating thought leaders to participate in these conversations and share their experiences who also work in the same space. This podcast is for Diversity and Inclusion leaders who are dedicated to shifting the needle, working towards a more sustainable and equitable future within organisations and in society.
Publisher
Geraldine Gallacher CEO at The Executive Coaching Consultancy
In this episode of Shifting the Needle, Geraldine speaks with Dr Lucy Ryan, author of Revolting Women, about why experienced women are leaving the corporate world at midlife. They explore gendered ageism, the “midlife collision” of menopause, caring responsibilities and other life pressures, and the ways workplace inflexibility can push ambitious women out.
The conversation also examines whether organisations are experiencing a backlash against gender equality, the importance of diversity of experience and thought, and how women’s potential is often underestimated. Lucy shares practical steps for organisations, from analysing data to improving flexibility, job sharing and succession planning.
26 May 2026
The Courage to Fight Forward: Former Team GB Boxer Lesley Sackey
Former Team GB boxer and European gold medalist Lesley Sackey and founder of Fight Forward, talks about her journey to success which is a powerful testament to resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Lesley shared her unconventional path into boxing, discovering the sport in her twenties and quickly rising to elite level despite early setbacks. Through boxing, she developed a deep understanding of discipline, adaptability, and the power of mindset, lessons that would later shape her life beyond the ring.
Behind her professional success, Lesley navigated personal challenges and this experience became the catalyst for founding Fight Forward, a social enterprise that uses boxing to support women recovering from abusive relationships, helping them rebuild confidence, reconnect with their bodies, and move from survival to thriving.
Lesley also discusses her entrepreneurial drive and her latest venture, Pillow, a digital platform designed to provide tailored support and resources for women post-crisis. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on leadership, risk-taking, and the importance of purpose, emphasising that true resilience lies not just in getting back up, but in trusting yourself to find a way forward.
23 Feb 2026
A Love Letter to Policing , Fit in or F*** off, and Countering the System with Neil Basu
What does leadership really look like inside one of the most high-pressure institutions in the country?
In this episode, Neil Basu, a former Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations for the Metropolitan Police Service and national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing from 2018-2021 discusses his book 'Turmoil: 30 Years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice', sharing hard-earned lessons from leading in crisis environments, navigating institutional resistance, and challenging cultures built on fear.
You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insight into how leadership operates in command-and-control systems, and why he believes fear may drive short-term performance but ultimately damages trust, wellbeing, and long-term effectiveness. He contrasts traditional “heroic” leadership with a more compassionate, team-centred approach, explaining how leaders can get the best from people without breaking them.
The conversation also explores the personal and professional cost of speaking up. He talks openly about experiencing institutional racism, being labelled “too woke,” and the career consequences of pushing for change from inside the system. There’s powerful discussion about representation, confidence, and the pressure of being the only one in the room, as well as the toll a policing career can take on family life and mental health.
You’ll also hear operational insights from his time leading major investigations and national counter-terrorism work, including why public trust and community relationships are essential to effective policing.
This is a candid conversation about power, courage, culture, and legacy and what leaders in any sector can learn from 30 years spent making high-stakes decisions when there’s no room for error.
1 Sept 2025
Reframing Power, Risk, and Influence in the Legal Sector
This episode, I am joined by Tamara Box, Partner at Reed Smith, where we explore the forces reshaping the legal profession: the backlash against DEI, the rise of AI, and how leadership programmes, working styles, and billable hours are shaping gender equity.
We ask: are firms drawing hard lines, or compromising in the name of business?
Please listen if you'd like to hear a conversation on where the profession is heading, and what it will take to lead with both principle and impact.
Host: Geraldine Gallacher
Producer: Holly Ashton
14 Jul 2025
Rethinking Neurodiversity at Work | Shifting the Needle
Shifting the Needle is back! Our new episode is about ‘Rethinking Neurodiversity at Work’ with Madelaine Verchere, Data Strategy and Neurodiversity Community Co-Lead at EY.
In this episode, we unpack the eye-opening results of EY's Global Neuroinclusion at Work Study 2025, an exploration involving 2,000 neurodivergent and 500 neurotypical professionals that’s redefining what success can look like in today’s workplace. With 1 in 5 of being neurodiverse, this episode highlights why inclusion isn’t optional, it’s essential.
If you're a leader who wants to unlock the full potential of your team, this episode is a must listen. Learn how to truly understand what makes your people tick, neurodiverse or neurotypical, and create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Whether you’re neurotypical, neurodistinct, or proudly neuro-spicy, this episode will give you fresh insight into how the people around you work best and how to bring out the brilliance in everyone.
Host: Geraldine Gallacher
Producer: Holly Ashton
31 May 2024
Allyship - What's in it for the men? Robert Baker & Geraldine Gallacher
In this episode of Shifting the Needle, Geraldine Gallacher speaks with Robert Baker, Founder and CEO of Potentia Talent Consulting which advises companies on becoming more diverse and inclusive. Robert is a long time campaigner for gender equality and is Vice Chair of European Women in Boards and a Trustee of UN Women UK. Robert is also part of men’s groups like the Healthy Masculinity Collective which explore the issues that men face and discuss how men can be better allies and partners for women and all underrepresented groups.
14 Feb 2024
Supporting Working Carers with Isla Thomas, Head of the Carers Network at Deloitte
Isla Thomas, Head of the Carers Network at Deloitte sits down with ECC’s Geraldine Gallacher to chat about care responsibilities – the myths, the realities and what the new UK Carers Leave Act means for employee caregivers.
1 Nov 2023
The Sandwich Generation with Yvette Forrester
In this episode of Shifting the Needle, Geraldine Gallacher welcomes friend, colleague and Chair of City Women’s Network, Yvette Forrester to unearth some of the heart wrenching challenges facing those in the Sandwich Generatio (https://executive-coaching.co.uk/key-concepts/sandwich-generation-explained/)n (https://executive-coaching.co.uk/key-concepts/sandwich-generation-explained/). This episode takes a more intimate direction as the pair discuss Yvette’s personal journey caring for her mother with dementia, raising her ill son and balancing her career with her divorce. Yvette hopes her story will be a light to others going through similar caring, professional and personal challenges.
21 Jul 2021
Why we need to rethink leadership development of executive women with Jennifer Petriglieri
We're delighted to welcome Jennifer Petriglieri back to our Shifting the Needle podcast to move the conversation on from 'dual-career couples' in episode 4, onto why we need to rethink leadership development of executive women, how it's not about 'fixing the women', and why marginal flexibility is a good thing.
29 Mar 2021
Sharing thoughts about dual-career couples with author Jennifer Petriglieri
In this episode Geraldine chats with Jennifer Petriglieri about her book ‘Couples That Work’ and shares over a cup of coffee, some thoughts about dual-career couples. Jennifer has spent over a decade researching how people’s close relationships shape who they become professionally and personally and has also spent the past 6 years studying the lives of dual-career couples.
Featuring Jennifer Petriglieri (http://www.jpetriglieri.com/) who is an Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD and the author of Couples That Wor (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Couples-That-Work-Thrive-Love/dp/0241379008/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=couples+that+work&qid=1616702684&sr=8-1)k (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Couples-That-Work-Thrive-Love/dp/0241379008/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=couples+that+work&qid=1616702684&sr=8-1), a book about how working couples can thrive in their relationship and careers. She is an expert in the leadership development of executive women and directs the Women Leaders Programme (https://www.insead.edu/executive-education/leadership/women-leaders-programme)at INSEAD. Her recent TED Talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_petriglieri_how_working_couples_can_best_support_each_other?language=en&referrer=playlist-the_way_we_work_season_3) explores how working couples can best support each other through difficult decisions.
Presented by Geraldine Gallacher: Geraldine is a master executive coach, writer and speaker. She is also the CEO and founder of the Executive Coaching Consultancy (ECC) that now some 26 years later is a global company of executive coaches, facilitators and learning and development specialists . She works with individuals and executive teams in key transitions. Geraldine is a regular speaker on inclusive leadership and equality and is a founding sponsor of ECC’s not for profit The Good Business Initiative that works with organisations to help them unlock their potential for a positive impact particularly in issues of equality.
5 Nov 2020
Inclusion Nudges with Tinna C. Nielsen and Lisa Kepinski
In Episode 3 of Shifting the Needle, Geraldine Gallacher speaks with the founders of the global initiative called Inclusion Nudges, Tinna C. Nielsen and Lisa Kepinski to learn more about how we can all apply this in our daily work and lives.
24 Jul 2020
In conversation with executive coaches Sam Akinluyi, Jane Storer and Jessica Rogers around inclusivity &race
Welcome to Episode 2 of Shifting the Needle, our new podcast presented by CEO & Master Coach Geraldine Gallacher aimed at D&I professionals who are working towards a more sustainable and equitable future. In this episode, we focus on an issue that has been front of mind at ECC over the last few weeks. How we work together to effect real change has always been important. However, following recent events, we have seen the focus on diversity and inclusivity, particularly around the topic of race, significantly rise up the agenda. In this episode, Geraldine speaks to three members of our Executive Coach Team; Sam Akinluyi, Jessica Rogers and Jane Storer. Sam and Jess are both Black and previously had successful careers in the corporate world and Jane has a rich history in the inclusivity space. Our aim was to discuss the interventions that businesses can put into place to dismantle racism and build an inclusive and diverse culture, to ensure that all employees feel a sense of belonging in that company. Whilst these individuals are experts in these areas, first and foremost they are experts in their lived experience and were very open with sharing those experiences. This podcast acts as a reminder to listen to what other people have to say and how in doing so, it can enrich perspective and opinions.
23 Jun 2020
Flexing leadership styles with Harriet Minter
Welcome to Shifting the Needle, a podcast by the Executive Coaching Consultancy and presented by Geraldine Gallacher. Drawing on 26 years of executive coaching experience, Geraldine explores issues around diversity, equality and leadership and invites some fascinating thought leaders to participate in conversations and share their experiences who also work in the same space. This podcast is for Diversity & Inclusion leaders who are dedicated to shifting the needle, working towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
In this episode, Geraldine is joined by Harriet Minter, journalist, broadcaster and coach specialising in female leadership, to discuss some of the articles and themes that have emerged out of the Covid-19 pandemic that promote the cause for more female leaders based on their clear & concise actions leading amidst a crisis. Is it helpful to conflate a new collaborative leadership style with women or does this exacerbate the problem?
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