"Wear Many Hats" Podcast
Season 2
by Wear Many Hats - Podcast
Another great episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. This time, we sit down with Elisa Chalier, Office Operations Manager at Rider Levett Bucknall, to explore her journey from hospitality into corporate office leadership. Elisa shares how starting out in customer-facing roles shaped her approach to service, detail, and team coordination — skills that now underpin her leadership in managing high-performing office environments. She reflects on the realities of running a busy London headquarters, balancing people, operations, and client experience, and the importance of adaptability in workplace management. We also discuss career progression, confidence, and how transferable skills from hospitality can build a strong foundation for success in corporate operations. A practical and inspiring conversation for anyone working in office management, workplace operations, facilities, or those building a career through hands-on experience.
Another insightful episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. This time, we sit down with Gordon Phillips, Assistant Director, Strategic Estates at the House of Commons, to explore his remarkable journey from apprentice to senior estates leadership within one of the UK’s most high-profile and historic institutions. Gordon shares how starting his career through an apprenticeship route shaped his leadership approach, the lessons learned from working across NHS estates and major PFI hospital projects, and what it really takes to manage complex, politically sensitive environments. We discuss balancing heritage with modern infrastructure, leading teams under scrutiny, managing risk at scale, and the importance of communication in high-stakes public-sector estates. A thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone working in strategic estates, healthcare property, heritage assets, or public-sector leadership.
Another great episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. This time, we sit down with Richard Godsell, Director of FM at The O2 Arena and AEG Europe, to explore his unique and inspiring journey from engineering apprentice and international DJ to leading facilities at one of the world’s most iconic entertainment venues. Richard shares how his early career in heavy industrial engineering and power generation shaped his technical foundation, before moving through hospitals, retail, energy centres, airports, and major infrastructure projects. He reflects on leading teams at Stansted Airport during COVID, managing complex, high-pressure environments, and what it takes to deliver world-class operations in venues hosting 20,000+ people a night. We also discuss leadership, resilience, progression, and how varied career experiences can build the skillset required to run one of Europe’s busiest arenas. A practical and inspiring conversation for anyone working in facilities management, live events, engineering, or large-scale venue operations.
Another great episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. This time, we sit down with Alan Gilbert, Head of Facilities at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, to explore a remarkable career journey — from laying bricks as a teenager to leading facilities across one of London’s most historic estates. Alan shares how resilience, loyalty, and continuous learning shaped his path into senior FM leadership. He reflects on managing 43 buildings, preserving heritage assets dating back centuries, and balancing tradition with modern compliance, sustainability, and technology. From overseeing Grade I listed structures and restoration projects to mentoring the next generation of facilities professionals, Alan offers a grounded and inspiring perspective on what leadership really looks like in FM. A thoughtful and motivating conversation for anyone working in facilities management, heritage estates, property operations, or those building a long-term career in the industry.
Another insightful episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Megan O’Connell, Workplace Manager at Dun & Bradstreet, to explore what it really takes to manage workplace environments within a global data and analytics organisation. Megan shares her journey into workplace management, how her role has evolved alongside changing employee expectations, and the importance of creating spaces that genuinely support productivity, wellbeing, and business performance. She also discusses balancing operational delivery with strategic thinking, working across stakeholders, and adapting workplaces to meet the demands of hybrid working. A practical and honest conversation for anyone working in workplace management, facilities, corporate real estate, or people-focused roles within complex organisations.
Another great episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Adam Sandford, Real Estate Lead at Runway East, to explore his career journey and what it takes to scale real estate across a growing flexible workspace brand. Adam shares how his role has evolved within the flex sector, the realities of identifying and securing the right locations, and how real estate decisions directly impact operations, community, and long-term growth. He also discusses balancing speed with strategy, working closely with internal teams, and adapting to changing demand in the flexible workspace market. A practical and insightful conversation for anyone working in real estate, flexible workspace, property strategy, or growth-focused roles.
Another great episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. This time, we sit down with Guy Douetil, Independent Management Consultant and Founder of GWD Advisors, to explore his remarkable career journey from starting as a surveyor to advising global corporations on their real estate strategies. Guy reflects on more than two decades at Cushman & Wakefield, his work across international markets, and how his role evolved from valuations into consulting, leadership, and helping major clients navigate complex global property portfolios. He also shares insights into career reinvention, building credibility, and starting his own advisory business. A thoughtful and insightful conversation for anyone interested in real estate strategy, consulting, career development, or global corporate property
In this episode of Wear Many Hats, we sit down with Jason Roseaman, Head of Facilities Management at Pay.UK, to explore what it really takes to lead FM within one of the UK’s most critical national infrastructures. Jason shares insights into managing facilities where reliability, resilience, and compliance are non-negotiable. He discusses the realities of operating in a high-risk, high-trust environment, balancing operational excellence with stakeholder expectations, and how FM plays a vital role in supporting the systems that keep the UK economy moving. We also dive into Jason’s leadership approach, how he builds trusted teams, and the lessons he’s learned navigating complex estates within financial and regulatory environments. A thoughtful conversation for anyone working in FM, property, infrastructure, or leadership roles where precision and accountability matter.
Another great episode of the Wear Many Hats podcast. This time, we sit down with Aline Levry, Workplace Manager at Pacific Life Re, to explore what it takes to lead workplace strategy within a global financial services organization. Aline shares her journey into workplace management, the realities of operating in a highly regulated environment, and how workplace teams support performance, wellbeing, and business continuity at scale. She discusses balancing people, place, and process, working with senior stakeholders, and adapting workplace strategies to meet evolving business needs. A practical and thoughtful conversation for anyone working in workplace, facilities, real estate, or operational leadership — particularly within financial and professional services.
Another inspiring episode of Season 2 of the Wear Many Hats podcast! This time, we’re joined by Ana Bernardo, Head of Operations at Work. Life, to explore her incredible journey from a background in Academia to leading operations at one of the UK’s most people-centric flexible workspace brands. Ana shares how her experience in service and community shaped her leadership style, what it takes to maintain culture across multiple locations, and how Work.Life continues to create spaces where people truly love to work. She also opens up about balancing growth with purpose, the evolution of hybrid working, and why authenticity remains key to workplace success. A thoughtful and energising conversation on leadership, people, and the heart behind great workspaces.