Episode Guest

Jack Parsons interviews Nathan Coe, the Chief Executive Officer of Auto Trader UK, where he has been a driving force behind the company’s operational and technological evolution for over 18 years. Since joining the company, Nathan has held several senior leadership roles including Operations Director and Product & Technology Director, where he oversaw critical functions such as product development, marketing, data, and technology.

Appointed CEO in February 2020, Nathan brings a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and digital transformation, built on earlier roles in corporate development at Telstra and Sensis. His tenure reflects a deep commitment to innovation and efficiency within the automotive marketplace sector.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Meet Nathan Coe: CEO of Auto Trader & His Duvet Flip

0:31 – First Jobs, Family Background & Early Career Aspirations

2:09 – From PWC to Purpose: Moving Beyond Money-Driven Goals

3:36 – Proving People Wrong & Embracing the Inner Rebel

5:00 – Was There a Grand Career Plan? (Spoiler: No)

6:45 – Breaking into Competitive Graduate Roles

8:44 – Tips for Interviews, Standing Out & Being Authentic

11:20 – What Auto Trader Looks for in Candidates

12:58 – The Importance of Teamwork, Collaboration & EQ

14:45 – Inside Auto Trader’s Quirky Culture & Values

17:01 – Inclusion as a Strategy, Not Just a Policy

19:14 – Longevity at Auto Trader: 10-Year Avg. Tenure

20:45 – Nathan’s First Car (and Why the Window Fell In)

22:33 – Buying Your First Car: Insurance, Costs & Tips

25:00 – How Auto Trader Helps You Buy Smarter with Tech

26:51 – The Tank Listed on Auto Trader (Yes, Really)

28:30 – Content Responsibility & Platform Trust

30:00 – Behind the Scenes: AI & Data Science at Auto Trader

31:36 – Career Paths at Auto Trader: Tech, Product, B2B & More

33:30 – From Magazine to Digital: A Tough but Bold Transition

35:12 – Launched Before Google: Auto Trader's 1995 Website

36:49 – Why Owning Cars Still Matters in the Digital Age

38:41 – Making Car Buying Seamless with Tech

40:22 – What’s Next for Auto Trader? The Digital Future

42:36 – Impacting Millions: Auto Trader’s Reach in the UK

44:10 – Leadership Philosophy: Care Deeply, Stay Grounded

45:51 – Advice on Resilience: No One Promised It’d Be Easy

47:29 – Nathan’s Duvet Flip: Empowering Others to Break Limits

49:00 – Closing Thoughts & A Legacy of Impact

Episode Partners

✈️ easyJet

Explore exciting career opportunities at easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines. Whether you're passionate about aviation, customer service, engineering, or corporate roles, easyJet offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovation and growth.

https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest

Ross McColl is Head of Consultancy at Halo Service Solutions (HaloPSA), where he leads enterprise software implementation and client success strategies. With over six years at Halo, he’s held roles across consultancy and APAC delivery. His background includes experience in finance, retail, and fundraising, bringing a well-rounded and client-focused approach to software consultancy.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: Ross McColl & Halo PSA

01:10 - Early Jobs: Paper Rounds & Resilience

02:45 - What Is a “Rough Job” & Why It Builds Character

04:00 - Motivation to Work Early & Earning Mindset

05:15 - Defining Hard Work: Productivity Over Hours

06:50 - How to Stay Focused and Work Smart

07:50 - The Power of Asking for Help

09:00 - Embracing Questions Early in Your Career

10:30 - From Economics Degree to Tech Industry

11:45 - Joining Net Help Desk (Now Halo) & First Impressions

13:00 - Leadership Vision at Halo & Paul Hamilton’s Influence

14:00 - Culture at Halo: Sports Team Energy & Collaboration

15:50 - The Halo Training & Progression Journey

17:00 - Failing the First Project and Bouncing Back

18:40 - Resilience and Growth at Halo

19:50 - Ross’s 6-Year Journey from Graduate to Manager

21:00 - Leading by Example, Not Title

22:20 - Hands-On Culture: Even the CEO Codes

23:30 - Flat Structure & Open Communication at Halo

24:50 - A Life Lesson from the CTO: “The Answer's Out There”

26:00 - Why Join Halo: Opportunity, Travel & Innovation

27:15 - Empowering Graduates to Lead & Create

28:00 - Final Question: Ross’s Duvet Flip

28:50 - Closing Thoughts & Gratitude

Episode Partners

Check out the latest from Halo:

https://halograduates.com and https://www.instagram.com/halonextgen/

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates.

The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support. Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here:

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Matthew Widick, Director of Data Enablement at Compare the Market: How I landed a role in Data and AI

Check out Lancia Consult

https://www.lanciaconsult.com/

Episode Guest

Jeff Cronkshaw is the CEO and co-founder of Lancia Consult, a global consultancy launched in Singapore in 2012. With a background in pharmaceuticals and consulting at Accenture, Jeff has led Lancia’s expansion across Asia, Europe, and South Africa. He also serves as Deputy Chair of the University of Brighton Board, is a Global Scot business advisor, and co-founded The Gateway Project to support disadvantaged youth.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Intro: Why Jeff's story matters

00:24 - Meet Jeff Kroshaw, CEO of Lancia Consult

01:12 - What gets Jeff out of bed every morning

01:40 - His first job: 15-mile paper rounds in rural Scotland

02:53 - From disco DJ to coding gigs early entrepreneurship

03:38 - First proper job at Eli Lilly & how it shaped him

05:15 - Why discipline still matters in today’s workplace

06:46 - Employment contracts vs. mortgages

08:13 - Joining a culture that fit & how it clicked

09:53 - The #1 thing Jeff looks for in new hires

11:00 - Why consulting is one of the most unique careers

13:16 - What a day in consultancy really looks like

14:45 - Why consultants don’t need to have all the answers

16:20 - The life skill every consultant needs: self-resilience

17:44 - The loneliness of consultancy & how to fight it

20:06 - Why Jeff treats company culture like a compass

21:33 - Building a support network like a garden

24:25 - Your network is your future

26:02 - Failing 6 interviews before landing his career break

27:14 - How to bounce back from rejection

29:04 - Co-founding a business with his wife (and surviving it!)

31:30 - Why Lancia was bootstrapped—and stayed that way

33:07 - Global growth: the vision behind their multi-office strategy

35:01 - Lessons from 14 years of entrepreneurship

37:10 - Where most entrepreneurs go wrong

39:40 - It’s not a business until an invoice is paid

41:16 - The secret to why clients choose LanciaConsult

42:51 - Why commercial flexibility wins deals

44:20 - Life lesson: when a boss tore up his work

46:06 - Jeff’s final Duvet Flip why this business has to work

Episode Partner

Lancia Consult is a global management and technology consultancy helping brands, governments, and scale-ups tackle complex challenges and achieve strategic goals. With nearly 100 people across seven offices, Lancia delivers practical, people-first consulting—from strategy to execution—driving real impact through a deeply experienced and entrepreneurial team.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-adviceIf you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Check out Pax8 here

Episode Guest

Chloe Cameron is VP of Global Employee Experience and Strategic Programs at Pax8, where she builds culture, systems, and structure to help employees do the best work of their lives.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Average people can get great jobs

00:24 - Meet Chloe Cameron, VP at Pax8

01:15 - Safe doesn’t mean comfortable: courage in the workplace

01:58 - What’s your duvet flip?

02:26 - Chloe’s first job in a frozen-in-time department store

03:55 - Financial freedom and learning the value of hard work

04:47 - Choosing practicality over perfection early in your career

05:49 - What Chloe looks for in early career candidates

06:44 - No experience or hobbies? Here’s how to stand out

07:39 - How to reflect meaningfully and use journaling

08:45 - Managing boredom at work and staying proactive

09:59 - From school to Cambridge to the unknown world of work

11:07 - When the academic path ends: now what?

12:19 - Advice for graduates entering the job market

13:16 - Chloe’s first “wrong” job and what it taught her

14:25 - Quitting isn’t weakness: when and how to leave

15:38 - Great people, boring job? What to do next

16:33 - The right way to quit without burning bridges

17:54 - What does 'safe at work' really mean?

19:01 - Landing the job at Microsoft: what it meant to Chloe

20:25 - Culture shocks in corporate environments

21:31 - Why the smartest person doesn’t always get the best job

22:47 - Build your reputation by being reliable

23:40 - How to network and work smart, not just hard

24:27 - Chloe’s first leadership experience and key lessons

25:46 - Should you be a manager? How to decide

26:48 - Leadership is hard: here’s what to expect

27:51 - Developing your leadership style over time

28:50 - Continuous learning and leadership evolution

29:33 - Leading across cultures: from the UK to the Philippines

30:58 - Pax8’s cultural values: seek to understand and we before me

31:54 - Remote work and the return to the office

33:13 - Leaving Microsoft for startup life

34:17 - Why stupid rules pushed Chloe to take the leap

35:48 - The power of small business with big ambition

36:39 - Building a role from scratch in a startup

37:50 - Chloe’s top career advice: fill the gaps

39:06 - What Chloe looks for in a résumé today

40:13 - What is a VP of Global Employee Experience?

41:43 - Creating people-first tools at Pax8

42:38 - Why join Pax8: opportunity, culture, and growth

43:39 - Chloe’s duvet flip: build the workplace she always wanted

Episode Partner

Pax8 is the technology marketplace of the future, linking partners, vendors, and small to midsized businesses (SMBs) through AI-powered insights and comprehensive product support. With a global partner ecosystem of over 38,000 managed service providers, Pax8 empowers SMBs worldwide by providing software and services that unlock their growth potential and enhance their security.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Check out the latest careers at easyJet:

https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS

Episode Guest:

Meet Anna Lundstrom, CEO at Nespresso UK&I as she's interviewed by Jack Parsons on My Duvet Flip.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - “Risk is cheap when you’re young”

00:27 - Meet Anna Lundstrom, CEO at Nespresso UK & Ireland

01:46 - Why courage comes before confidence

03:01 - Anna’s first podcast and coffee intro

04:07 - Wellness and the future of coffee

05:37 - UK’s favorite drink: coffee over tea

06:48 - How Nespresso’s barcode tech works

08:29 - Coffee consumption moments across the day

10:15 - Internships, cold emails, and creating your own chance

12:04 - Overcoming fear of failure and imposter syndrome

13:50 - Focus on the start line, not the deadline

15:21 - The pressure to be perfect and mental balance

17:01 - Building authentic company culture

18:56 - The power of direct but caring leadership

20:38 - Ruthlessly kind: being tough with heart

22:19 - Anna’s career lesson: bring others with you

23:31 - The value of trying different cultures and roles

24:43 - How to choose the right mentor

26:01 - Creating your own opportunities at work

27:54 - Intern to CEO: it’s a journey, not a sprint

29:09 - Don’t chase titles, chase impact

30:30 - Prioritising your time as a leader

32:22 - The CEO’s changing weekly focus

33:41 - From Chief Brand Officer to CEO

35:17 - What does a Chief Brand Officer do?

37:13 - How to become a future CBO

38:25 - Transitioning into the CEO role

40:08 - Ask better questions, not have all the answers

41:39 - CEO surprise: people take the most time—and are worth it

43:22 - The people side is critical to business success

44:20 - Coffee and wellness are merging

45:23 - Recycling made easy: Royal Mail pickup

46:06 - Social impact through Change Please partnership

47:50 - Coffee as a force for good

49:13 - From farm to cup: how coffee gets made

50:48 - How innovation drives Nespresso

52:03 - Design, color, and capsule psychology

53:33 - What makes a great product launch

54:55 - Brand value proposition is key

55:56 - Lessons for job seekers: your story matters

56:56 - What Anna looks for when hiring

57:49 - Anna’s message of hope: create your own opportunity

58:04 - Anna’s duvet flip: bringing joy to others’ mornings

Episode Partner

easyJet streamlines affordable travel for all, with every role crucial in connecting millions via Europe's top airline network. With an innovative culture, easyJet empowers you to shape travel's future.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest

Meet Mark Hassan-Ali, COO at N Family Club, interviewed by Jack Parsons (UK's Chief Youth Officer).

Mark Hassan-Ali is a strategic and people-focused leader, currently Chief Operating Officer at N Family Club. With a career spanning global consultancies, agencies, start-ups, and multinationals, he brings sharp commercial acumen and a passion for inclusive, high-growth cultures. Since joining N in 2020, Mark has helped scale the business across operations, people, sales, and marketing. A trusted advisor and Fellow of the CIPD, REC, and RSA, he’s committed to driving meaningful, purpose-led change.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - You can always lead with kindness

00:27 - Meet Mark Hassan-Ali, COO at N Family Club

01:26 - What's on Mark’s mind in a fast-growing business

02:46 - Managing overwhelm and staying focused

03:58 - Personal life plans vs society’s expectations

05:17 - How to avoid shiny object syndrome

06:50 - The power of your "Square Squad"

08:29 - Who’s in Mark’s personal support circle

10:22 - Mark’s school days and early lessons

11:44 - Dressing as a dolphin at 18

12:49 - Work values vs company values

13:46 - How to have tough conversations with kindness

15:10 - Examples of real kindness at work

16:46 - The importance of not blindsiding people

17:48 - Interviewing with kindness

18:55 - The problem with rigid interview structures

19:59 - Humanising business culture

21:00 - Culture isn’t posters, it’s behaviours

22:01 - A culture that shines in tough times

23:34 - Culture is non-negotiable at N Family Club

25:04 - How N Family Club began and grew

26:34 - Scaling to 40 nurseries since 2020

27:38 - Building and evolving the operations playbook

28:50 - Why leadership hires are key

30:10 - From 15 brand ideas to 2: focus wins

31:33 - Constantly evolving to avoid complacency

32:24 - Looking globally for inspiration

33:01 - What makes N Family Club special

34:03 - Why language and titles matter

35:05 - Inside a nursery: team structure

36:05 - Mark’s respect for early years educators

37:00 - Creating career opportunities for all

38:06 - Flexibility for every lifestyle

39:00 - Changing how early years careers are seen

40:22 - The need for greater recognition in the sector

42:34 - Why early years is so valuable

43:00 - Why you should join N Family Club

44:20 - Mark’s advice for job applicants

46:00 - Be yourself, do your research

47:17 - Avoid the “spray and pray” job hunt

48:20 - There’s always a way – slow down

49:10 - Mark’s duvet flip – impact through people

50:02 - Staying focused on the one-pager

Episode Partner

N Family Club is rethinking careers in early years education by giving educators the respect, support, and opportunities they deserve. We’re challenging industry norms and building a culture where people can thrive. With nurseries across London, the South East, and the West Midlands, we’re always looking for passionate people to join the N Family.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/