Kaplan‘s Learn Better Podcast

Ep. 22 - The secret to success in the city: grit and determination, Gabriel Osamor.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at city life as a financier. 

The guest for this episode is Gabriel Osamor, Business Intelligence Analyst at Brown Advisory, an investment management firm in the City of London. Be careful not to judge Gabriel on the basis of his current role (as impressive as it is), as what sets him apart from others is that, in his own words, he is “ordinary, average and not a particularly good student. But he has one significant characteristic, he doesn’t give up and thrives on challenge.” Tell him he can’t do something and he will prove you wrong – he has what the Americans refer to as ‘grit,’ huge amounts of determination and an aptitude for hard work. 

Ep. 21 - Study tips for people with additional learning needs, Kirsty Gibson and Abigail Nolan.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses Neurodiversity and study tips for anyone with additional learning needs.

We have two guests for this episode, Kirsty Gibson and Abigail Nolan. At the time of recording the podcast, Abigail and Kirsty both worked within Kaplan’s Quality Development and Improvement Team, with expertise in inclusion and diversity. They are both hugely passionate about neurodiversity and share their knowledge and tips. 

 

Ep. 20 - Investment Leadership and Social Change, with Head of Retail Investments at Legal & General Investment Management, Justin Onuekwusi.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at social mobility and leadership investment.

Our guest is Justin Onuekwusi, Head of Retail Investment and Fund Manager at Legal & General Investment Management. He is also Founder of EnCircle Mentoring, the Rolling Start Podcast, a member of the City of London social mobility taskforce and a non-executive director.

Ep. 19 - Digital transformation in Accounting, with Head of Partner Consulting and Verticals at Xero - Kat Bond.

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

Our guest is Kat Bond, Head of Partner Consulting and Verticals at Xero, who develop cloud based accounting software for small businesses.

Kat explains how digital transformation is about improving our processes rather than replacing people, and how it can help businesses to gain better data to help make better decisions.

Ep. 18 - The future of Accountancy and Finance in a COVID ready world, with Robert Half Director, Caroline King.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at the future of Accountancy and Finance careers and recruitment.

Our guest is Caroline King, Director of permanent talent solutions at Robert half, a specialist talent solutions consultancy. With 7 years experience changing finance professionals' lives by getting them their dream jobs, she shares her top tips when entering accountancy and finance careers.

Ep. 17 - How Food and Nutrition affects well-being, with nutritionist, Anjanette Fraser.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores how food and nutrition impacts your well-being, mood and cognitive performance.

Our guest is Anjanette Fraser, an expert in Nutrition and founder of company The Natural Alternative Health & Wellbeing Ltd.

For more information on her teachings you can visit her youtube channel, Bitesize Nutrition TV - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSPsqhybkaFQ8hiz398axIg/videos

Ep. 16 - Accountants as Entrepreneurs, with Sedulo founder, Paul Cheetham-Karcz.

In this week's episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, takes a look at entrepreneurship and how to succeed in your career.

Our guest is Paul Cheetham-Karcz, Founder of Sedulo Group, an award winning advisory firm and investment house. He is also the author of Taking Care of Business and host of the namesake podcast.

Ep. 15 - Careers in Tax, with senior Tax lecturer, Neil Da Costa.

In this week's episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses careers in tax and the routes you can take towards this area of finance.

Our guest is Neil Da Costa, Senior Tax Tutor at Kaplan, well known for the advice and resources he provides his students. Neil explains his personal journey into a career in tax, what makes tax professionals so important to businesses, and how the specialised knowledge can help to futureproof your earning potential. 

Ep. 14 - ”Resilience” and the importance of self compassion, with mental health trainer Kirsty Lilley.

This episode our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores the connection between resilience, compassion and overcoming failure.

Our guest, Kirsty Lilly, is a Mental Health expert who specialises in helping people develop their compassionate self. Kirsty talks about the importance of resilience when it comes to failure and how self compassion is integral to this. 

Ep 13. - Careers in Accountancy (Levels 2 - 4), with AAT BDM Anthony Clarke.

In this episode our guest is Anthony Clarke, Business Development Manager at AAT.  Anthony covers the versatility finance qualifications can give your career, the current hot jobs in the finance sector and how to approach your applications and interviews.

Anthony also talks about how the sector has made a commitment to drive diversity and social mobility and how this has changed the way businesses are recruiting.