Kaplan‘s Learn Better Podcast

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at personal and professional failures, and how this has a significant factor on success. Our guest in this episode is Asif Muhammad, CEO of a company called Main Course Associates with offices in London, Italy, Spain and the USA. The company specialises in providing financial, accounting and management support to those in the hospitality industry. But alongside this, Asif is also an investor, turnaround specialist, serial entrepreneur, writer and philanthropist and much more… 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at Charlotte Lewis’ career in finance paired with her life in sports. Our guest for this episode is Kaplan’s very own, Charlotte Lewis. She has managed to combine a very successful career as a tax lecturer with her love for sport and competition and will be representing Great Britain in the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Spain in April 2023

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses how to cope with stress and reach out for help when needed. Our guest is Gareth Winters, Relationship Development Officer for CABA - the independent occupational charity for the ICAEW community. In his role, Gareth gets to talk to a whole variety of different people, at different stages in their lives and careers, but what makes his observations interesting is that they all work in the world of finance and are seeking help in some way to get them and their lives back on track. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at crypto and digital assets in the world of tax. Our guest is Chris Smith, Personal Tax Director at BKL - an accountancy, advisory and tax support firm in Finchley, North London. This episode is all about crypto and digital assets in the tax world, as Chris goes well beyond what most people would consider the traditional tax route. He has developed expertise in advising on the tax implications of crypto-currencies. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at city life as a financier.  The guest for this episode is Gabriel Osamor, Business Intelligence Analyst at Brown Advisory, an investment management firm in the City of London. Be careful not to judge Gabriel on the basis of his current role (as impressive as it is), as what sets him apart from others is that, in his own words, he is “ordinary, average and not a particularly good student. But he has one significant characteristic, he doesn’t give up and thrives on challenge.” Tell him he can’t do something and he will prove you wrong – he has what the Americans refer to as ‘grit,’ huge amounts of determination and an aptitude for hard work. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discusses Neurodiversity and study tips for anyone with additional learning needs. We have two guests for this episode, Kirsty Gibson and Abigail Nolan. At the time of recording the podcast, Abigail and Kirsty both worked within Kaplan’s Quality Development and Improvement Team, with expertise in inclusion and diversity. They are both hugely passionate about neurodiversity and share their knowledge and tips.   

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at social mobility and leadership investment. Our guest is Justin Onuekwusi, Head of Retail Investment and Fund Manager at Legal & General Investment Management. He is also Founder of EnCircle Mentoring, the Rolling Start Podcast, a member of the City of London social mobility taskforce and a non-executive director.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at digital transformation in the world of accountancy. Our guest is Kat Bond, Head of Partner Consulting and Verticals at Xero, who develop cloud based accounting software for small businesses. Kat explains how digital transformation is about improving our processes rather than replacing people, and how it can help businesses to gain better data to help make better decisions.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, looks at the future of Accountancy and Finance careers and recruitment. Our guest is Caroline King, Director of permanent talent solutions at Robert half, a specialist talent solutions consultancy. With 7 years experience changing finance professionals' lives by getting them their dream jobs, she shares her top tips when entering accountancy and finance careers.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores how food and nutrition impacts your well-being, mood and cognitive performance. Our guest is Anjanette Fraser, an expert in Nutrition and founder of company The Natural Alternative Health & Wellbeing Ltd. For more information on her teachings you can visit her youtube channel, Bitesize Nutrition TV - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSPsqhybkaFQ8hiz398axIg/videos