Kaplan‘s Learn Better Podcast

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores the benefits of learning and teaching online. Our guest is Dr. Cristi Ford: The Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L - a Canadian education company that developed the Brightspace Learning Management System. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discovers the importance of data and valuable information within the field of accounting. Our guest is Ian Pay, who is the Head of Data and Technology at ICAEW. He explains the evolving role of data and technology in the accounting and finance sectors, as well as how the innovation of technology practices is shaping the relationship between data and accounting. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks into the world of banking. Our guest for this episode is Tanya Retter. Tanya has worked within the banking industry for over 25 years and is now the Chartered Banking Institute's Executive Director of Education.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, speaks to guest Ben Wildavsky about his book on how to pave a successful career. Our impressive guest, Ben Wildavsky, is a scholar, veteran higher education writer, strategist, speaker, host of the podcast Higher Ed Spotlight, and author of The Great Brain Race and The Career Arts.

Exploring artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of work with guest Dan Sodergren, a futurist and innovator. Discussing AI in the workplace, skills in the finance sector, OpenAI's generative AI models, adapting to changing work dynamics with AI integration, and embracing change through learning about AI for professional growth.

In this very special bonus episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, is joined by Kaplan UK CEO, Kathy Walton. They discuss Kathy's passion for apprenticeships while drawing comparisons with professional qualifications to make it easier to decide on which one is right for you.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at how the people you are surrounded by, your values and your morals can help you to access opportunities. Fatima Hassan is our guest for this episode. She heads up the Finance Strategy & Development team and delivers people initiatives for the finance community at Network Rail. Fatima is also a Trustee Director of the Railways Pension Scheme, and in the past was responsible for the finance graduates. But these are only job titles, Fatima shows how her job titles only tell part of her story, and her values and beliefs are what have helped shape her career so far.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at accountancy all around the world. Our guest for this episode is Dominic Horne, Senior Manager at Robert Walters - one of the world’s leading specialists in professional recruitment. Robert Walters has over 4000 employees worldwide, operating in over 30 different countries.  While a gap year intrigued a lot of us, everyone has a different experience. Some may find this to be the trip of a lifetime that provides clarity in terms of their future career, and others might consider it just an expensive holiday! But if you work in finance, you may find that you can get the best experience all while working abroad.  Dominic and Stuart discuss everything about accountancy around the world.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses the importance of the climate change issue and how this links to the finance sector.  Zach Stein is our guest on this episode. He is a Co-Founder of The Carbon Collective, an organisation based in California that makes it simple for people to invest in companies that offer climate solutions and divest from companies reliant on fossil fuels. This episode explains the simple message: to quote Zach, “Climate change is the most important issue facing the world. We still have time to avoid the worst-case scenarios, but only if we invest capital in climate change solutions that can be adopted and implemented quickly,”. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at the relationship between technology and the accountancy and finance marketplace.  Neil Bertram is our guest today, Consultant, Board Director and a Chief Financial Officer for SMEs. Neil has a significant amount of experience in the finance sector that he has put to good use to build a portfolio career.    After COVID-19, many people questioned their futures and what they wanted to do with their life. One option is to take control over how and when you work. People are starting to think in terms of multiple streams of income rather than one, and become open to the idea of a mix of full or part-time employment, freelancing or consulting, and do what Neil has done: have a portfolio career.   COVID-19 was the catalyst for many people to take a long hard look at their future.