Workplace Confidence Podcast
Welcome to the Workplace Confidence Podcast with Penny Haslam, the place where people professionals share the great work they do.
In each episode hear from leaders in HR, L&D, D&I and more as they share their insights, best practices and tips about making a real difference in the world of work.
We cover the topics that are on your mind - whether it’s finding new ways to align HR strategies across global teams or giving your L&D programs a fresh edge to keep up with today’s demands. Plus the latest thinking about D&I initiatives to create a more inclusive workplace.
We also dig into boosting leadership confidence in challenging sectors like policing and scientific research and the nitty-gritty of managing recruitment in fast-paced environments.
Throughout the series, you’ll pick up valuable advice on how to build a culture of trust, support mental well-being and implement strategies that stick.
We aim, to create a podcast that's your go-to resource for learning from the best in the business - driving the kind of positive change that matters most.
The show is brought to you by Bit Famous - trusted by leading brands to build confidence and communication skills in the workplace. Bit Famous is a finalist in the Personnel Today Awards - L&D Supplier of the Year 2024.
It's hosted by Bit Famous MD and founder Penny Haslam a female motivational speaker on the topics of communication and confidence. She's a former BBC Business News presenter.
Ready to get started? Just search for the Workplace Confidence Podcast - the place where people professionals share the great work they do.
Workplace Confidence Podcast
Leading HR with people, not policy – Maria Hawley
Workplace Confidence Podcast - Leading HR with people, not policy with Maria Hawley.
Maria Hawley didn’t plan to stay at Fisher German for long. But more than a decade later, she’s still there - now Director of People - having helped lead the business through major growth and cultural change.
In this episode, Maria talks about what it takes to build a people function from scratch and support more than 850 employees across a growing UK-wide property consultancy.
When she joined, there was no HR team in place. She set it up from the ground up, guiding the business as it expanded from 220 employees to over 850, and from a handful of rural offices to major cities including London and Manchester.
Now sitting on the leadership team and operations board, Maria helps shape the business’s five-year strategy and ensures people remain central to decision-making.
Her role spans core HR operations, learning and development, talent acquisition and people experience.
She’s also taken on additional responsibilities in risk and compliance, health and safety and facilities - evidence of her hands-on approach and strategic reach.
Maria’s people-first leadership extends beyond the boardroom. She’s known for her honest and engaging LinkedIn posts, which blend professional insight with personal reflection. Maria uses social media not just to promote her employer brand, but to show who she is beyond the job title.
Connection, she says, is central to how she leads.
This episode is packed with insight for HR leaders ready to grow their influence, shape strategy and show up with authenticity. Maria’s story is a reminder that people's leadership is more than policies - it’s about purpose, visibility, and building something that lasts.
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