The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

E014: STEM Belongs to Everyone with Mark McBride-Wright and Séverine Trouillet

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Séverine Trouillet, CEO of STEM Learning—the UK’s largest provider of STEM education and careers support. With a powerful blend of personal insight and sector expertise, Séverine shares what drives her mission to widen participation in STEM, especially for underrepresented communities.
From her reflections on having a “squiggly career” to her determination to change the narrative for girls who feel STEM isn’t for them, Séverine brings clarity, purpose, and action to the forefront. She speaks about the importance of industry collaboration, targeted outreach, and why diversity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the backbone of future innovation.

E013: From Farm to Factory and Bold Decisions with Mark McBride-Wright and Emma Knowles

What happens when a childhood on a dairy farm fuels a career in engineering leadership? In this episode, we dive into an inspiring journey of challenging expectations, making bold career leaps, and driving change in manufacturing. Emma Knowles shares how a background in agriculture shaped her approach to problem-solving, why she took on a £26M factory build at just 26, and how mentorship and visibility are key to bringing more women into engineering. From breaking industry norms to championing sustainability and inclusive leadership, this episode is packed with insights, real-life lessons, and game-changing advice for anyone looking to carve their own path in STEM.

E012: Breaking Barriers and Taking Risks in Engineering with Mark McBride-Wright and Dame Dawn Childs

Dame Dawn Childs shares her inspiring engineering journey, from joining the Royal Air Force for sponsored education to leading transformative roles at Gatwick Airport, Merlin Entertainments, and National Grid. She now heads Pure Data Centres Group, building sustainable hyperscale data centres. Dame Dawn Childs discusses the importance of inclusion and diversity in engineering, drawing on her experiences as a long-time trustee and president of the Women's Engineering Society. She emphasises the critical role of engineers in addressing global challenges and the need to showcase historical stories of pioneering women engineers to inspire the next generation.

E011: The Hidden Hazards of Work and the Future of Psychological Safety with Mark McBride-Wright and Dr. I. David Daniels

Dr. I. David Daniels shares his journey from a career in the Fire Rescue Service to becoming a leader in occupational health and safety, with a focus on psychological safety and psychosocial hazard mitigation. He discusses the challenges he faced witnessing the loss of colleagues, the lack of diversity and inclusion in the industry, and the need to address unresolved trauma and conflicts to create more psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces. Dr. Daniels now works with individuals, groups, and leaders to help them build compassionate and resilient safety cultures, drawing on his extensive experience and research.

E010: From Spice Girl Dreams to Engineering Leadership with Mark McBride-Wright and Kirstie Langan

This podcast features an engaging conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Kirstie Langan, the Global Business Development Director at PDI. Kirstie shares her impressive career journey, from her early aspirations to work in the energy sector after a work experience at BP, to her transition into offshore roles and eventual leadership positions. She discusses the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of the energy industry, and the exciting opportunities in the decommissioning sector. Kirstie provides valuable insights on empowering teams, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and her vision for creating meaningful career paths for others in the industry.

E009: From Accidental Beginnings to Industry Impact with Mark McBride-Wright and David Jamieson

David Jamieson, founder of Salus Technical, discusses his journey into process safety engineering, the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic, and the importance of integrating psychological safety and cultural elements into technical safety work. He shares insights on the tools and techniques used at Salus, the role of AI in process safety, and advice for young professionals entering the field. The conversation explores the diversity of industries Salus serves and the need for continuous learning and clear communication in process safety.

E008: Breaking Barriers and Building Careers with Mark McBride-Wright and Sally Walters

This podcast features an in-depth conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Sally Walters, a civil and structural engineer with over 22 years of experience in the water industry. They discuss Sally's journey into engineering, the importance of mentorship and community building, the challenges and opportunities in the water sector, the need to address diversity and inclusion issues, and Sally's role as a visiting professor at the University of Exeter. Key topics include the barriers to retaining women in engineering, the prevalence of harassment and discrimination, and the importance of treating these issues systematically like safety incidents. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the engineering profession and the steps needed to create a more equitable and supportive work environment.

E007: Rethinking Safety, Leadership, and Workplace Culture with Mark McBride-Wright and Andy Webster

This podcast features a conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Andy Webster, a Digital Director at KBR and Gallup Certified Strength Coach. They discuss Andy's career journey in the energy sector, including his work developing a successful safety strategy at Shell. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling and emotional connection in leadership, as well as Andy's experience becoming a Gallup certified coach and the value it has brought to empowering teams. Andy shares advice for younger professionals, emphasising the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness. The discussion covers a range of topics related to leadership, safety, and personal development, providing insights into Andy's approach and experiences.

E006: Psychological Safety, Workplace Culture, and Thriving Teams with Mark McBride-Wright and Tom Geraghty

This podcast features a conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Tom Geraghty, the founder and CEO of Psychological Safety Powered by Iterum. Tom shares his background transitioning from an experimentalist in ecological research to becoming a recognised authority on creating safer, high-performing, and more inclusive workplaces. He discusses his journey of discovering the concept of psychological safety about 10 years ago and evangelising it through his blog and community. Tom emphasises the importance of making psychological safety practices accessible globally, not just in wealthy countries. He also highlights the need for more research and application of psychological safety in non-western, non-white collar, and diverse contexts. Overall, the conversation covers Tom's work, the evolution of the field, and the exciting future opportunities in advancing psychological safety.

E005: Grounded Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Flight with Mark McBride-Wright and Emma Henderson

Emma Henderson shares her inspiring journey from a childhood fascination with flight to becoming one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide. She recounts her path into aviation, flying celebrities and royalty, and founding the global charity Project Wingman to support NHS staff during the pandemic. Now an in-demand speaker and author, Emma advocates for "grounded leadership" - a powerful blend of humanity, humility and humor that she believes is essential for today's leaders. Her story is a testament to resilience, purpose and the transformative power of following your passions.