In this episode of Leaders in Conversation, Anni Townend talks with Azziz Hussain, Head of HR Corporate and Technical Operations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, about what it means to be here.

Azziz shares why knowing your story, and being able to tell it to others, matters; how origins, background, family and friends shape who we are; his beliefs and what turning 40 meant to him, and in the Qur’an; and the choices we make, and are helped to make, to reach our full potential.

Azziz’s three key encouragements to leaders:

1. Leadership needs to be authentic
2. Know your story and tell your story
3. Big relationships over transactional ones

About Azziz: Azziz has been a Civil Servant for nearly two decades and is currently Head of HR Corporate and Technical Operations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He is a Chartered Fellow and qualified OD&D Practitioner, and has previously led teams at the Department for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the Cabinet Office, HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions. He is a qualified coach and mentor, and was previously co-Chair of the Civil Service Muslim Network. Outside his day job, he is Director and co-founder of a modest wear clothing line, and is currently building a school in Bangladesh.

Connect with Azziz:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azizul-hussain-fcipd-fcmgr-1a0b6947/

Instagram: @azzizulhussain

If this conversation has resonated with you, I would love to tell you more about Collaboration Equation, the leadership framework Lucy Kidd and I created together. Built on Curiosity, Care and Courage, it gives leaders and their teams going through change a practical, relational way forward. Get in touch directly at anni@annitownend.com or visit annitownend.com to find out more.

Leaders in Conversation is the podcast where leaders weave together the threads of their life and leadership stories to encourage and inspire you to be even more confident and courageous in your leadership. Subscribe, review and share.

Listen to more conversations at annitownend.com, and to Finding Your Collaborative Edge with Lucy Kidd at collaborationequation.com.

In this episode of Leaders in Conversation, I talk with Dr Michael Josephson MBE, charity campaigner, successful businessman and mental health awareness advocate, about turning lived experience into purpose, the power of community and generosity, and inspiring others to act.

Michael has raised over £12 million for children's charities. In his early twenties he chaired the Childline Ball Committee, growing it from £7,000 a year to over £1 million annually for the NSPCC. In 2015 he founded the Michael Josephson Ball, which now raises over £1.1 million net each year. In our conversation he shares the story behind that work: surviving a suicide attempt in 1998, the care that changed the course of his life, and his commitment to making a difference for children and young people.

Please note: this episode includes Michael's account of a suicide attempt and childhood abuse. Do listen with care. If you are struggling, please talk to someone. In the UK, Samaritans are available on 116 123.

Michael's three encouragements to leaders:

1. Use your platform with purpose
2. Start with what you can do now
3. Make generosity practical

Connect with Michael

LinkedIn: Dr Michael Josephson MBE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaeljosephson1

Website: www.michaeljosephsonmbe.com

If this conversation has resonated with you, I would love to tell you more about Collaboration Equation, the leadership framework Lucy Kidd and I created together. Built on Curiosity, Care and Courage, it gives leaders and their teams going through change a practical, relational way forward. Get in touch directly at anni@annitownend.com or visit annitownend.com to find out more.

I also bring leaders together on Walking Partnerships days, time outside to think, reflect and talk honestly with people who understand what it means to lead through change. The next date is 8th October 2026 in East Sussex, you can find the details on my website.

About Leaders in Conversation

Leaders in Conversation is the podcast in which leaders weave together the threads of their life and leadership stories, the people, experiences and places that have shaped them, to encourage and inspire you to be even more confident and courageous in your leadership. I'm Anni Townend, podcast host, partner to leaders, executive coach to leaders and their teams, and co-founder of Collaboration Equation with Lucy Kidd.

Find out more at annitownend.com.

• Why comfort often hides behind good intentions, while culture is shaped by behaviour
• Why culture changes quietly, and how leaders often miss the warning signs
• What leaders do when inclusion challenges comfort and demands courage

1. Notice where you stay silent. Silence is data.
2. Hold yourself accountable before holding others accountable.
3. Act with Integrity, ask whether your decisions reflect those you expect others to live by

Jiten Patel is an inclusive leadership coach, DEI strategist and author of Demystifying Diversity. He works with leaders and organisations across global and local organisations, sport, healthcare, education and the third sector to help them understand how culture is shaped through everyday behaviour. His work is informed by lived experience, research and years of working inside organisations where good intentions often fall short. Jiten’s focus is on leadership responsibility, psychological safety and the choices leaders make when inclusion becomes uncomfortable.

Website www.diversync.co.uk

Phone: 07875 310824

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiten-patel-diversync/

Books: Demystifying Diversity

To listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to find out more about Collaboration Equation and finding your Collaborative Edge co-founded by Lucy Kidd and I do go to our website www.collaborationequation.com

A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing and to George at Podcast Room Brighton for the production of the podcast.

To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.

I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.