Ever-So-Lean Podcast

In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we bring you the first ever UKNCI LIVE, originally broadcast live across the UK Continuous Improvement community.

Joining the conversation are UKNCI Founders Matt Sims, Maxine Wood and Stuart Robertson, bringing different experiences and perspectives to a question that affects CI professionals...

Who do you turn to when you’re the improvement person?

Continuous Improvement can be a surprisingly lonely place.

You spend your time helping others solve problems, challenging thinking, building capability and trying to create change. But who do you talk to when you need to bounce around an idea, share a challenge or simply speak to someone who understands what you do?

In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, I’m j...

Why do so many continuous improvement programmes start with real energy, deliver some great early results, and then struggle when it comes to scaling?

In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, I’m joined by Chris Dando, CEO of Reinvigoration Group, for a really open conversation about what it actually takes to make improvement stick.

Chris has spent...

In this special (Live not Live) episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, I’m joined by Lean Competency System 2026 Conference Speakers, Beth Lee Wilson from The University of Manchester, Bart van Waes from Leanprofs and Leon Hardwick from OpX.io, ahead of this year’s LCS Conference & Awards in Manchester on September 23rd..

We get a preview of what each of them will be bringing to the conference, but the conversation qu...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Stacey Franklin, a widely recognised Lean thinking leader and one of Ireland’s most respected voices in continuous improvement.

Stacey is the founder and CEO of Kanso, a consultancy inspired by the Japanese concept of simplicity, helping organisations cut through complexity and create clarity in how they work. With experience spanning telecommunications, healthcare, service industries, and h...

In this special Ever-So-Lean Podcast Extra episode, we come together with some of the award winners to celebrate the Lean Competency System Awards 2025.

Recorded following the awards ceremony at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, this episode captures honest reflections from individuals and organisations who are making a real difference through continuous improvement. From healthcare to global logistics, sustainability to ...

The 2025 BQF UK Excellence Awards took place at Wembley Stadium on 27 March, bringing together finalists, guests, industry leaders, and BQF Patron HRH The Princess Royal for a remarkable celebration of excellence on one of the most iconic stages in the country.

This is Part III of a three-part special of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, where we'll take you right into the heart of this prestigious event. From the pre-event build-up to the...

The 2025 BQF UK Excellence Awards took place at Wembley Stadium on 27 March, bringing together finalists, guests, industry leaders, and BQF Patron HRH The Princess Royal for a remarkable celebration of excellence on one of the most iconic stages in the country.

This is Part II of a three-part special of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, where we'll take you right into the heart of this prestigious event. From the pre-event build-up to the ...

The 2025 BQF UK Excellence Awards took place at Wembley Stadium on 27 March, bringing together finalists, guests, industry leaders, and BQF Patron HRH The Princess Royal for a remarkable celebration of excellence on one of the most iconic stages in the country.

This is Part I of a three-part special of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, where we'll take you right into the heart of this prestigious event. From the pre-event build-up to the s...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Michel Doppert, a seasoned continuous improvement leader with a truly global perspective. From early days in international law to becoming one of Europe’s first Six Sigma Black Belts, Michel’s journey is rooted in transformation, data-driven thinking, and an unwavering belief in the power of people.

We explore what continuous improvement really means today, far beyond the textbooks and...

This episode is all about real transformation, the kind that improves systems, empowers people, and makes a lasting difference.

I’m joined by Iolanda Pereira, a proven CI leader with a track record of delivering serious impact across healthcare, logistics, and corporate sectors. From leading award-winning stroke pathway redesigns in the NHS to driving $2 billion in financial recovery in the global shipping industry, Iolanda b...

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of purpose, authenticity, and alignment with Margarita Giles-Martinez, a globally recognised coach who’s helped hundreds of women reconnect with their true selves. Margarita shares how a life-altering moment in 2019 led her to strip back the layers of expectation and rediscover her purpose, one rooted in inner peace and energetic truth.

We explore how chasing conventional success...

In this eye-opening episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we go beyond traditional waste elimination and tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical inefficiencies in organisations—underutilised talent.

Joining me all the way from Queensland, Australia, is the brilliant Adam Bean—a bold thinker, strategic disruptor, and expert in Kaizen culture and Lean transformation. Known for challenging conventional wisdom, Adam s...

In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean podcast, we welcome Nigel Richardson, an accomplished adaptability coach, to explore the vital theme of adaptability in leadership and organisational change. Drawing on Nigel's extensive experience across various industries, we delve into his journey towards recognising the importance of adaptability and how it shapes effective leadership.

The discussion begins with an exploration of the psycholo...

In this special episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, the tables are turned as Matt Sims steps into the guest’s chair, with Burnout Queen Nicola McCrabbe at the helm. Nicola dives deep into Matt’s personal journey and his newly released book, The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader.

The book chronicles Matt’s inspiring rise from a "disruptive" low-grade student who was written off by teachers to a respected leader on...

In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we welcome the legendary Paul Akers, renowned author and founder and president of FastCap, for a deep dive into the world of Lean mastery. Known for his revolutionary "2 Second Lean" philosophy, Paul has inspired countless businesses and individuals worldwide to embrace continuous improvement. From starting FastCap in his garage to expanding it into a global powerhouse, Paul’s jour...

In this enlightening episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jan Otterbach, a distinguished business change leader and Vice President - Head of Process Transformation, renowned for driving strategic change across both commercial and technology sectors. Jan’s commitment to fostering collaborative, cross-functional approaches has made a significant impact on the organisations he has worked with.

Jan reflects on his remar...

In this exciting episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we’re joined by the remarkable Donna O'Toole, founder of August Recognition and bestselling author of WIN!. Discover how celebrating success can transform your business as Donna shares her expertise on leveraging awards to boost morale, enhance credibility, and drive growth.

🔍 What to Expect:

• Strategic Insights: Learn how to effectively use awards as a tool for busine...

This is Ever-So-Lean Extra, where we serve up an extra dose of excellence!

In Season 1, we're immersing ourselves in the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, an event that epitomises innovation, quality and sheer excellence on a national scale. Imagine a platform where industry leaders, influencers, and visionaries converge to celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in business.

We're rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into eac...