Insights & Conversations

Values People Actually Remember: Leading Culture at Solihull College with Dr Rebecca Gater

In this episode of The Culture & Leadership Podcast, host Guy Walker chats with Dr Rebecca Gater, Principal & Chief Executive of Solihull College & University Centre. Rebecca shares her unconventional route into Further Education - from an unexpected career pivot 25 years ago to leading one of the West Midlands' most ambitious colleges across three campuses. She talks about rebuilding the college's values from scratch so people actually remember them, why "the 100 small things" matter as much as the big strategy, and how empowering staff and students alike has shaped a culture people stay in for decades.

Why Every Student Deserves a Place: Charlie Deane on Culture & Leadership at Bury College

In this episode of The Culture & Leadership Podcast, host Guy Walker sits down with Charlie Deane, Principal & Chief Executive of Bury College. Charlie shares his remarkable 36-year journey through Further Education — from teaching unqualified in 1990, to eight transformative years at Aberdeen College, to 15 years leading Bury College, home of the "Bury Guarantee": a place for every young person, regardless of their starting point. Charlie talks candidly about what it really takes to build culture, why policy (not posters) is the true engine of good behaviour, and why he'd rather have a competent surgeon than a passionate one.

Building a Culture of Belonging and Wellbeing in FE | David Malone, Calderdale College

What does it take to build a college culture where people genuinely belong, thrive, and feel supported? In this episode of The Culture & Leadership Podcast, host Guy Walker travels to Halifax to chat with David Malone, Principal and Chief Executive of Calderdale College. David shares his rapid journey through Further Education, from his early days in performing arts to leading one of West Yorkshire's most community-anchored colleges. He reveals the practical steps Calderdale College is taking to prioritize staff wellbeing, including implementing the "Investors in Diversity" framework, launching Wednesday afternoon "firebreaks," and shifting the focus from standard metrics to genuine inclusivity.

Dovetail & Slate.....Where it all began

Dovetail & Slate CEO, Guy Walker Shares Founder Journey in The Engine, Founders Stories Podcast with Donna Owen.

From Bricklayer to College Lecturer: The Truth About Quitting Site Work!

Chris shares his raw, honest journey of stepping off the construction site and into the classroom back in 2013. If you've ever worried that your lack of an academic background would hold you back, Chris is living proof that your real-world trade skills are exactly what the next generation needs

How to Lead a College to Ofsted Outstanding with John Evans

What does it take to go from an apprentice motor mechanic to leading some of the largest colleges in the UK? In this episode of The Culture & Leadership Podcast, host Guy Walker sits down with John Evans, a veteran of the Further Education sector who has successfully navigated five separate college journeys to an "Outstanding" Ofsted rating. John shares his unique philosophy on education, viewing the student as the customer and teaching, learning, and assessment (TLA) as the core product. He pulls back the curtain on how he transformed struggling institutions - tackling millions in debt and broken staff cultures - by winning hearts and minds through relentless, visible leadership.

From Army Officer to FE Commissioner: Shelagh Legrave on Building Outstanding College Culture

Shelagh shares her remarkable journey from army officer to investment banking, then into education finance, before becoming one of the sector's most respected leaders.

Building a College Culture That Works | Lisa Capper MBE on Leading with Care

What does it take to build a college culture where people belong, grow and lead with care? Lisa Capper MBE, Principal & CEO of the Sandwell Colleges Group, shares her journey from adult education and government policy to leading one of the UK's most diverse and ambitious colleges. She discusses creating the 'One Team' culture, embedding CARE values, and why wellbeing and empowerment are central to success.

Culture, EVP & Leadership Podcast | Janet Smith, CEO & Principal of Nottingham College

Janet Smith, CEO & Principal of Nottingham College, explores the challenges and opportunities in education leadership and building inclusive college cultures.

Culture, EVP & Leadership Podcast | Neil Coker, CEO & Principal of Barnet & Southgate College

Neil Coker, CEO & Principal of Barnet & Southgate College, discusses the importance of culture and employee value proposition in attracting and retaining education talent.

Culture, EVP & Leadership Podcast | James Scott, CEO of Trafford & Stockport College Group

James Scott, CEO of Trafford & Stockport College Group, shares valuable insights on building strong educational cultures and effective leadership strategies.

Culture, EVP & Leadership Podcast | Ep. 5 Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JLT

Episode 5 features Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JLT, discussing leadership challenges and opportunities in the education sector.

Culture, EVP & Leadership Podcast | Lee Pryor & Nikki Davis

Lee Pryor from Leeds City College and Nikki Davis from College of Building share their insights on culture and leadership in further education.

Rachel Nicholls, CEO of Inspire Education Group

Join us for an insightful conversation with Rachel Nicholls, CEO of Inspire Education Group, discussing culture, employee value proposition, and leadership in education.

Dovetail & Slate named finalist in the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2026

Public Sector Recruitment Specialists Dovetail & Slate have been shortlisted for The Lloyds Outstanding Mid-Sized Business of the Year Award, and founder Guy Walker shortlisted for The Cazenove Capital Entrepreneur of the Year Award, at the UK's flagship business awards.

Leading Learning That Lasts

Flagship one-day conference to advance teaching, learning and assessment excellence across further education and skills.

Recruitment Event to Help Industry Professionals Transition into Education Careers

Experienced professionals from industry are invited to discover how their skills can be transformed into a rewarding career in Weston College at a dedicated recruitment event.

Dovetail & Slate Marks National Biscuit Day With a Year’s Supply of Tea Up for Grabs

Dovetail & Slate founder Guy Walker wins prestigious Stelios Award

Bristol-based education recruitment specialist takes top prize of £150,000 at 18th annual ceremony

Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting the People Supporting Everyone Else

As Mental Health Awareness Week highlights the ongoing pressures facing education and public sector staff, professionals are looking past mere "resilience" and demanding sustainable workloads, authentic leadership, and embedded wellbeing support. For employers, actively prioritising workplace culture is no longer just a policy exercise - it has become a critical differentiator for attracting and retaining top talent.

Luke O’Neill Appointed Chief Commercial Officer to Spearhead Next Phase of Growth

Talentia Group’s award-winning education and public sector recruitment specialist strengthens its senior leadership team.

Cooking Up a Storm at Leeds City College

Senior consultants from Dovetail & Slate, the UK’s leading education and public sector recruitment specialists, are set to swap recruitment for recipes as they take part in a special Ready Steady Cook–style challenge at Leeds City College in support of the Yorkshire children’s cancer charity Candlelighters.

HR Leaders Conference Delivers a Day of Insight, Innovation and Inspiration

HR leaders and professionals from across the country attended Dovetail & Slate's HR Leaders Conference, an event bringing together some of the sector's most forward-thinking voices, hosted at University College of Birmingham.

National Voices in Culture, AI and Wellbeing to Headline HR Leaders Conference 2026

Preparing for Tomorrow, Today

The workforce landscape is shifting beneath our feet, from AI integration to multigenerational teams, and organisations that wait to adapt risk being left behind.

Protect Yourself From Recruitment Scams

We're currently aware of scammers impersonating Dovetail & Slate on Indeed and other job sites. If you've been contacted about a job opportunity, please read this urgent guide to verify it's genuine.

What the British Summer Can Teach Recruiters

The unpredictable British weather is surprisingly similar to education recruitment. Learn 11 vital lessons the summer can teach HR departments about hiring success.

Shaping the Future of FE: Smart Recruitment for Digital Transformation

Digital transformation in FE is changing how colleges deliver learning and manage operations. Learn how to build a recruitment strategy that attracts the right digital talent.

Burned Out and Underpaid: The SEN teacher shortage explained

Recruiting SEN teachers in the UK is at crisis point. Learn about the factors driving the shortage and practical strategies for finding and retaining special educational needs staff.

Where are all the construction teachers?

Why are colleges struggling to find construction teachers? The perfect storm of pay gaps, confusing routes to teaching, and rising demand is making recruitment harder than ever.

How to Improve Your Employee Retention Strategy

Hiring great recruits is one thing, but keeping them happy and on the team is another. Learn how educational institutions can improve retention in a challenging employment landscape.