When Skills Matter

The When Skills Matter Podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.

Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.

Listen to experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.

Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.

In this conversation, we’re joined by Dr Tom Chatfield, a British author, tech philosopher, and educator. His books exploring contemporary culture – most recently Wise Animals (Picador), an exploration of the co-evolution of humanity and technology, and the best-selling textbook Critical Thinking (SAGE Publishing), researched as a Visiting Associate at the Oxford Internet Institute – are published in over thirty languages.

Tom is interested in improving our understanding of digital technology, and its uses in policy, education and engagement. He’s particularly interested in AI ethics, critical thinking and future skills, and works with business schools, universities and companies around their development, as well as creating award-winning online courses for both academic institutions and businesses.

A launch columnist for the BBC’s worldwide technology site, BBC Future, Tom writes and commentates widely in the international media, as well as guest lecturing at universities in the UK and Europe. He is a regular on BBC radio and television, and broadcasts around the world.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this next part of our When Skills Matter panel discussion, we continue the conversation with Nebel Crowhurst, Carolyn Shepherd, and Perry Timms, alongside our host, Robin Adda, to explore how AI can help HR and L&D leaders turn skills gaps from a persistent challenge into a strategic business opportunity.

The panel discusses why skills intelligence is becoming essential at senior leadership level, how organisations can use AI to identify capability gaps with greater precision, and how those insights can support better workforce planning, targeted development, and stronger business performance.

We also consider the shift HR and L&D leaders need to make: moving beyond reactive training decisions and towards a more data-informed, future-focused approach that connects people development directly to organisational priorities.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we explore what it really takes for organisations to build learning strategies that are practical, responsive, and closely aligned with business needs.

Joined by our host, Robin Adda, Valerie shares her perspective on the growing pressure facing leaders and L&D teams as skills requirements shift. We discuss why traditional training approaches are no longer enough, how organisations can respond more effectively to capability gaps, and the importance of creating learning that leads to meaningful performance improvement rather than simply ticking a box.

The conversation also looks at how HR and L&D professionals can stay ahead of change by focusing on the skills that matter most, supporting managers more effectively, and building a workforce that is better prepared for what comes next.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we welcome Jonty Rooke, a strategic leader with deep experience building cross-sector partnerships and designing data-informed employment and skills programmes. Jonty’s perspective matters because he actively connects government, employers, and communities to deliver inclusive workforce outcomes and champions practical solutions for skills gaps and social mobility.

We discuss the realities of youth employment in the UK, the barriers facing jobseekers, and the importance of purposeful work and collaboration. Jonty shares practical insights from leading large-scale employment programmes, including the Connect to Work initiative, with clear advice for HR and L&D leaders.

We also cover skills assessment, targeted upskilling, data-driven workforce development, the impact of AI on hiring, the need for more humanity in recruitment, investing in skills for long-term capability, and practical lessons on coaching, onboarding, and resilience in today’s labour market.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we delve into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on upskilling, credibility, and workforce development.

Our guest line-up includes Nebel Crowhurst, a senior HR executive with hands-on experience guiding organisations through digital transformation; Carolyn Shepherd, founder and lead consultant at Emmeline AI, known for her focus on future skills; and Perry Timms, founder and chief energy officer at Perry Timms HR, who champions progressive approaches to talent.

Together with our host, Robin Adda, we explore the practical steps HR and L&D professionals can take to align their work with leadership priorities and show real impact. Our guests discuss how organisations can move beyond basic reporting, using data and storytelling to connect people initiatives with business performance.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we flip things around as Robins joins Neil C. Hughes on his podcast, Tech Talks Daily, for a practical and timely discussion on how AI can transform job opportunities and workforce development.

Together, Robin and Neil explore the real challenges and opportunities facing leaders as technology rapidly reshapes the working world. They dive into how organisations and employees can successfully navigate skills gaps, build personalised training plans, and ensure that AI is a tool for growth – not just another headline about job loss.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we delve into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on upskilling, credibility, and workforce development.

Our guest line-up includes Nebel Crowhurst, a senior HR executive with hands-on experience guiding organisations through digital transformation; Carolyn Shepherd, founder and lead consultant at Emmeline AI, known for her focus on future skills; and Perry Timms, founder and chief energy officer at Perry Timms HR, who champions progressive approaches to talent.

Together with our host, Robin Adda, we explore real-world applications and pressing challenges facing HR, L&D, and business leaders today.

We talk through how AI is shaping the skills landscape, why fear and uncertainty often accompany new technology, and the steps leaders can take to build credibility and trust while navigating change.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we share a special interview between our own Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, and Ben Geoghegan, host of the podcast, A Better HR Business. Robin Adda brings decades of entrepreneurial experience in learning, workforce development, and EdTech. His perspective is shaped by building and scaling multiple businesses, with a focus on addressing the real skills challenges facing organisations today.

Together, they discuss how leaders can move past outdated training models and use skills assessment, data, and AI to make workforce upskilling more effective and measurable. The conversation covers essential lessons from building businesses, practical approaches to closing skills gaps, and the changing landscape of learning and development.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we sit down with Devyani Vaishampayan, a respected boardroom leader, former FTSE 100 HR Director, and AI entrepreneur who has shaped the global HR landscape for over three decades. With her unique experience spanning senior corporate leadership, innovative AI investment, and non-executive directorships, Devyani Vaishampayan offers grounded perspectives on what it takes for organisations to build future-proof skills and drive workforce performance.

We discuss why skills and talent strategies are top-of-mind for business performance, especially as the pace of change accelerates, and the challenges boards and senior leaders face in adopting AI – and why it’s both an opportunity and a disruption.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, we focus on a pressing question for HR, L&D, and business leaders:

Why are current skills strategies falling behind, and what does this mean for business performance?

Our guests are Perry Timms, a leading voice on progressive HR and organisational transformation, and Nebel Crowhurst, a senior people executive with firsthand insight into how workforce expectations and skills needs are changing.

Hosted by Robin Adda, the discussion explores the root causes behind lagging skills strategies and shares practical ideas for building a more agile, future-ready workforce.

Together, we discuss what needs to shift in the way organisations structure, develop, and support skills – from the frameworks we use, to the technologies we embrace, to the cultural changes driving new approaches to work.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, Robin speaks with Nebel Crowhurst, a fractional Chief People Officer, board advisor, investor, and international speaker who brings decades of experience helping businesses align people strategy with overall organisational goals.

Together, Robin and Nebel explore how taking a skills-based approach to people strategy is essential for not only closing workforce gaps but also helping businesses adapt to rapid change and set themselves up for long-term success.

Nebel offers her first-hand experience working with high-growth companies, discussing how HR leaders can move from a reactive posture to a more strategic, evidence-based way of planning, resourcing, and upskilling teams.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, Robin speaks with Natal Dank, Executive Director and Principal Consultant at PXO Culture, and a recognized leader in the global Agile HR movement. Natal’s work focuses on helping organizations build adaptability, develop future-ready skills, and use evidence-based approaches to drive real outcomes in HR, learning, and people strategy.

Together, they explore how agility isn’t just a buzzword, but a truly practical approach for HR and L&D teams who want to keep pace with rapid change and deliver lasting value.

Natal shares actionable insights from her book, Agile L&D, and offers a clear perspective on what it takes to align learning and skills development with actual business priorities.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, Robin speaks with Carolyn Shepherd, Founder of Emmeline.AI and the AI Learning Lobby, about the human skills that matter most as AI reshapes the workplace.

Carolyn shares her “river” metaphor for navigating change, why adaptability and critical thinking are more valuable than ever, and how HR and L&D leaders can support their people through AI transformation.

From lived experience to new technical capabilities, Carolyn explains why organizations need to focus on building both human and AI-ready skills if they want their workforce to thrive.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

In this episode of When Skills Matter, Robin is joined by Paul Morgan, a seasoned L&D leader with three decades of experience at Microsoft, Diageo, O2, and more.

Paul shares candid insights on how HR and learning leaders can close skills gaps without overwhelming employees, why productivity and focus are at the heart of capability building, and how AI should be seen as an enabler rather than a replacement.

From the attention economy to skills shortages, Paul explains how organizations can reclaim time, upskill effectively, and create resilient teams in the AI era.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

Welcome to the When Skills Matter Podcast! In this opening episode, Robin introduces the show, shares what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes, and explains why now is the time to rethink how we approach skills, learning, and workforce development.

You’ll hear about the kinds of guests and topics that will feature on the show, from AI in L&D to closing skills gaps, aligning people strategy with business goals, and unlocking the full potential of your teams.

Robin also gives a quick overview of what SkillsAssess does and how it supports smarter people decisions using AI-powered skills mapping and personalised learning pathways.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or on the website player below.

By providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.

Powered by Ai, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.

Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.

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