Kaplan‘s Learn Better Podcast

Ep. 32 - Artificial Intelligence: Change is going to happen, Dan Sodergren

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at artificial intelligence and the impact that this is going to make.

Our guest is Dan Sodergren: a founder, writer, trainer, and an accomplished speaker with over 20 years of experience in telling stories on the impact of technology on life and work. 

Dan is an expert on the future of work. But not only this - he also managed to put his type 2 diabetes into remission through changes in his lifestyle and diet.

Ep. 31 - Summer Special with Kaplan CEO, Kathy Walton: Boost your career

In this very special bonus episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, is joined by Kaplan UK CEO, Kathy Walton.

They discuss Kathy's passion for apprenticeships while drawing comparisons with professional qualifications to make it easier to decide on which one is right for you.

Ep. 30 - How values help shape your career, Fatima (Baig) Hassan

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at how the people you are surrounded by, your values and your morals can help you to access opportunities.

Fatima Hassan is our guest for this episode. She heads up the Finance Strategy & Development team and delivers people initiatives for the finance community at Network Rail. Fatima is also a Trustee Director of the Railways Pension Scheme, and in the past was responsible for the finance graduates. But these are only job titles, Fatima shows how her job titles only tell part of her story, and her values and beliefs are what have helped shape her career so far.

Ep. 29 - Accountancy around the world: Working abroad, Dominic Horne

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at accountancy all around the world.

Our guest for this episode is Dominic Horne, Senior Manager at Robert Walters - one of the world’s leading specialists in professional recruitment. Robert Walters has over 4000 employees worldwide, operating in over 30 different countries. 

While a gap year intrigued a lot of us, everyone has a different experience. Some may find this to be the trip of a lifetime that provides clarity in terms of their future career, and others might consider it just an expensive holiday! But if you work in finance, you may find that you can get the best experience all while working abroad. 

Dominic and Stuart discuss everything about accountancy around the world.

Ep. 28 - How climate change links to the finance sector, Zach Stein.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses the importance of the climate change issue and how this links to the finance sector. 

Zach Stein is our guest on this episode. He is a Co-Founder of The Carbon Collective, an organisation based in California that makes it simple for people to invest in companies that offer climate solutions and divest from companies reliant on fossil fuels.

This episode explains the simple message: to quote Zach, “Climate change is the most important issue facing the world. We still have time to avoid the worst-case scenarios, but only if we invest capital in climate change solutions that can be adopted and implemented quickly,”. 

Ep. 27 - Changing your career: The relationship between technology and finance, Neil Bertram

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at the relationship between technology and the accountancy and finance marketplace. 

Neil Bertram is our guest today, Consultant, Board Director and a Chief Financial Officer for SMEs. Neil has a significant amount of experience in the finance sector that he has put to good use to build a portfolio career. 

 

After COVID-19, many people questioned their futures and what they wanted to do with their life. One option is to take control over how and when you work. People are starting to think in terms of multiple streams of income rather than one, and become open to the idea of a mix of full or part-time employment, freelancing or consulting, and do what Neil has done: have a portfolio career.

 

COVID-19 was the catalyst for many people to take a long hard look at their future. 

Ep. 26 - Change is inevitable, but personal growth is a choice, Asif Mohammad

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at personal and professional failures, and how this has a significant factor on success.

Our guest in this episode is Asif Muhammad, CEO of a company called Main Course Associates with offices in London, Italy, Spain and the USA. The company specialises in providing financial, accounting and management support to those in the hospitality industry. But alongside this, Asif is also an investor, turnaround specialist, serial entrepreneur, writer and philanthropist and much more… 

Ep. 25 - A career in finance, a life in sport, Charlotte Lewis

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at Charlotte Lewis’ career in finance paired with her life in sports.

Our guest for this episode is Kaplan’s very own, Charlotte Lewis. She has managed to combine a very successful career as a tax lecturer with her love for sport and competition and will be representing Great Britain in the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Spain in April 2023

Ep. 24 - Reaching out for help when needed, Gareth Winters

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses how to cope with stress and reach out for help when needed.

Our guest is Gareth Winters, Relationship Development Officer for CABA - the independent occupational charity for the ICAEW community. In his role, Gareth gets to talk to a whole variety of different people, at different stages in their lives and careers, but what makes his observations interesting is that they all work in the world of finance and are seeking help in some way to get them and their lives back on track. 

Ep. 23 - Crypto and digital assets in the world of tax, Chris Smith.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at crypto and digital assets in the world of tax.

Our guest is Chris Smith, Personal Tax Director at BKL - an accountancy, advisory and tax support firm in Finchley, North London. This episode is all about crypto and digital assets in the tax world, as Chris goes well beyond what most people would consider the traditional tax route. He has developed expertise in advising on the tax implications of crypto-currencies.