Full-time to Fulfilled with Matt Crabtree

Stepping away from a high-profile career in journalism to start a consulting business is no small shift, but in this episode, Luisa Baldini shares how she turned her experience as a BBC correspondent into a thriving consultancy in communication and media training. From covering global news stories to coaching senior leaders, Luisa's transition was driven by a desire for more control, more impact, and a more balanced lifestyle. She opens up about the unexpected challenges of leaving a well-known brand, the power of storytelling in business, and why she believes strong communication skills are more crucial than ever in today's world. You'll discover why networking matters more than you think, how to position yourself with confidence, and the importance of pricing with conviction. Whether you're considering a leap into consulting or just looking to sharpen your communication skills, Luisa's insights on reinvention, resilience, and staying curious will leave you inspired.

Leaving the security of a corporate career can feel like a leap into the unknown, but in this episode, Alex Hambrook shares how he transformed his experience in corporate banking and FinTech into a thriving consulting practice. As a former Strategic Development Director at HPD Software and with a career that spans RBS, ABN Amro, and Ebury, Alex didn't just survive stepping out on his own—he flourished, even amidst the challenges of the pandemic and a growing family. In this conversation, Alex reflects on how he built a flexible, fulfilling career while maintaining a strong work-life balance. You'll learn how to leverage your network, keep your positioning broad yet credible, and craft a consulting model that matches your ambitions. Alex's insights on variety, resilience, and finding energy in uncertainty will inspire anyone considering a move to independent consulting.

A special one off edition of Full time to Fulfilled featuring content produced by Google's extraordinary new NotebookLM platform that in one click has turned my book into an AI generated podcast! It's cheesy and all a bit forced but mind blowing in terms of how easy it was to produce. What could you do with this technology?

This fascinating episode charts the journey of a global executive leader operating at the highest level in the world of law to the life of an independent coach, advisor and educator. Richard Macklin previously served on the Global Board of the world's largest law firm as Global Vice Chair and Global Client Partner, responsible for the global client and markets strategy for a $2.5bn business located in 82 countries. Today he's a partner at The Alexander Partnership, a teaching Associate at the Møller Institute at Cambridge University, a course contributor at Oxford Saïd Business School and a Faculty member of Meyler Campbell, delivering executive coach training and leadership development. He also serves on the advisory board of Imperial College's MBA programme. He's also one of the most energised, wise and inspiring people we know.

Becoming an Independent Consultant in the first year of the pandemic might seem like a rash idea but in this episode you'll learn how Kevin turned nearly 25 years of corporate experience into a quickly successful practice. As a former senior executive with CGI and subsequently Managing Director of Expleo Technology UK, Kevin had no shortage of experience but it was turning that into a business that gives him both freedom and fulfillment that is the heart of this episode. You'll learn how to position yourself in the market, how to engage with your network, how to stay current and, best of all, how being in charge of your own schedule gives you back the time to do the things that really matter.

An expert in the art of storytelling, Julians own career story started in television news with increasingly senior stints at (deep breath) ITN, Sky, ITV and NBC News before the door to the executive suite opened at Future and Made by Many in London and New York. Hear about his latest chapter as an independent consultant, social inclusion agency co-founder (La Piazza Group) and ceramicist (no, really!) in this brilliant conversation. In this episode you'll learn how an experience of burn out led Julian to the path of Independent Consulting and now much better balance in his life, and how he has defined and unleashed the power of CFC's - Curiosity Filled Conversations!

Jeff's career started "up the poles and down the holes" as an apprentice with what is now BT. During the rest of his corporate career he worked his way up the ladder with the likes of Airwave, Global Crossing, Level 3 and more joint ventures and strategic partnerships than he probably cares to mention. Having experienced the executive space he decided to become an independent consultant in 2013 and has thrived ever since. Learn how Jeff adapted to this new identity and the benefits he's gained both personally and professionally.

This episode features someone with THREE decades of experience in very successfully making an independent life work. Mark started out selling t-shirts to student union shops but soon after got into the marketing agency world ultimately reaching the heights of Saatchi & Saatichi leading teams working with global clients like IBM and Canon. Mark then set up his own agency that prospered until he decided that independent consulting on his own account was the direction he wanted to take. Learn in this episode from someone who in the words of many of his clients is a real trusted advisor.

Lindsey spent her corporate career first with Experian and then with Ikano, a financial services division of the ledgendary Ikea group, where she was General Manager of their Insight business. Learn on this episode how an unexpected career crossroads and being done with titles combined with a real passion for making a difference for her clients has enabled Lindsey to build a thriving independent consulting practice that gives her the freedom to choose how, when and who she works with.

Jamie's career has been spent in the marketing and business development arena at a senior level in both business to business and consumer markets, in the UK and the USA and across a wide range of sectors; these include restaurants, wine, aviation, publishing, professional services, health, internet, retail and leisure. Not only that, he has owned his own businesses, been part of some amazing start up teams at firms like Moonpig and today is a much in-demand advisor and consultant. Learn on this episode how an uncoventional career path is no barrier whatsover - and is maybe even an advantage - to becoming a super successful independent consultant.

Following a glittering corporate banking career that included client coverage and product specific roles at Fortis, HSBC, BNP Paribas and ultimately as Managing Director of Transactional Banking at Santander in the UK, oh and a non-executive directorship with Vocalink prior to their sale to MasterCard, Sarah became an independent consultant in 2016. Hear on this episode how diligence and determination enabled Sarah to discover new levels of freedom and fulfillment.

Karen cut her teeth as a Client Services Manager in the banking sector and earned her stripes (so to speak) through mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing, offshoring as well as navigating the highs and lows of various economic challenges. After making it to the heady heights of Vice President she found her passion leaning towards talent development and thankfully hasn't looked back! Hear how Karen has spent the last 10 years building a thriving independent consulting practice, being there for her family - and even becoming a Team GB cyclist!

Following a career that started at BT, led to AT&T where he was CMO of Concert then to Accenture, on to Energis and finally Cable & Wireless where he was Marketing Director, Simon then used his deep corporate experience to start up and develop Chemistry, a human insight consultancy business. Having exited that business in 2015, he joined Positive Momentum and is now highly in demand worldwide for his expertise. Hear how Simon achieves freedom, fulfillment and flexibility and the invaluable advice he has to offer others who want to follow his path.

Following a global career that included CxO roles with American Express, Aviva and Colt in India, the US and the UK, in 2012 Rajnish established his independent consulting practice in India. Today he is the Managing Partner of Positive Momentum India, a fast growing community of talented former leaders providing services to clients in the Indian Sub Continent and beyond. Hear how he has used his corporate and consulting experience to help others do as he has done and build sustainable practices offering true freedom, fulfillment and security.

After a stellar full time career that included both Healthcare and Telecoms, culminating in senior leadership roles at BT Global Services, in 2012 Linda chose to make the move to independent consulting. Hear how she has used her corporate experience to build a sustainable practice that gives her true freedom, fulfillment and security.

After a very successful career that included increasingly senior roles with BT, Galileo, NCR, AT&T, Equant/Orange Business Services, Colt and finally NSC Global, learn in this episode how Gary carefully planned his exit from a full time role in 2008 (of all years!) and has since developed a consulting practice that has delivered true freedom, fulfillment and security.