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Videocast: Compliance & Culture: Building Trust with Kate Jones

In this episode of Oblig8Ed, host Ashrita Patel sits down with Kate Jones, Compliance Consultant, Co-Founder of KANA Consulting, and Co-Host of the Financial Services Compliance Forum.

Kate’s career is proof that compliance is far more than policies and regulations. Combining degrees in Management Science and Law, she intentionally pursued a career where legal knowledge and relationship-building come together. From leading Compliance functions across insurance and financial services to launching her own consultancy, Kate shares the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership and business.

Together, Ashrita and Kate explore why Compliance should be seen as a strategic partner rather than a business blocker, how organisations can build a genuine culture of integrity, and why proactive compliance creates long-term value. Kate also speaks openly about balancing a successful career with motherhood, navigating imposter syndrome, and taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

The episode also explores:
What compliance really is and why it matters
Building a strong compliance culture from the top down
Why Compliance should enable business, not restrict it
The value of proactive risk management and trusted relationships
Balancing career ambition with family life
Overcoming imposter syndrome and believing in your abilities
Starting and growing a successful consultancy business
The power of coaching and sponsorship
Creating a career built on purpose, flexibility and personal values

Throughout the conversation, Kate shares honest reflections on the challenges and opportunities that come with leadership, entrepreneurship and working in Compliance. She shares the realities of building a business from scratch, the importance of supportive workplaces, and why creating a career that aligns with your values is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make.

Whether you’re considering a career in Compliance, looking to progress into leadership, or thinking about starting your own business, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring lessons from someone who has successfully navigated each stage of the journey.

After reflecting on this episode: what will you do to progress your career?

00:00 Welcome to Oblig8Ed
00:33 The Childhood That Shaped Kate’s Ambition
02:14 Why Kate Chose a career in Financial Services
03:52 Falling in Love with Compliance
05:03 What Does a Compliance Professional Actually Do?
07:23 The Secret to a Strong Compliance Culture
10:55 Why Compliance isn’t the “Business Police”
14:49 Building a Career in Financial Services
17:04 Can You Have a Senior Career and a Family?
25:25 The Leap Into Entrepreneurship
32:18 Battling Imposter Syndrome
34:48 Why Every Compliance Professional Needs a Network
38:02 What It Really Takes to Start a Business
42:39 Sponsors & Career Progression
44:03 One Final Piece of Career Advice

Visit Our Website: For information about our services at: oblig8.com
Get in Touch: We love hearing from you, email us at: hello@oblig8.com
It starts with a conversation.

Oblig8Ed explores careers in Law, Compliance and Governance.

Join industry professionals and emerging voices as they share honest stories, career journeys and practical insights from roles that are often obscure. From navigating career transitions to building confidence in the workplace, each episode is designed to spark curiosity and inspire.

Featuring conversations with experts across legal, compliance and governance functions, Oblig8Ed offers a behind-the-scenes look at the skills, challenges and opportunities that define these careers.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to progress, Oblig8Ed is your guide to understanding where a career in these fields can take you.

Expect real talk, and the inspiration to help you think about how you could move forward.

Oblig8Ed is produced by Oblig8.

Oblig8Ed is an independent podcast. All opinions expressed are those of the host and guests, and are intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not designed to provide career counselling or legal advice.

Every career path is unique, so it is important that you consult with an appropriately qualified professional about your individual circumstances before you reflect and make any decisions that affect your work or your future.

If you are looking for support with your career, Oblig8 would be happy to have a discovery call with you to see if we could be the right fit.

It starts with a conversation

Videocast: Leadership vs Management: What Drives High-Performing Teams | With Ranald Munro CBE

Leadership vs Management: Principles, Practice, and Impact

In this episode of Oblig8Ed, host Ashrita Patel sits down with Ranald Munro CBE, Executive Adviser (Executive Coach, Mentor and Confidante), Chief Legal Officer, Military Reservist.

The two explore the complex world of leadership across law, compliance, and military settings. Drawing from decades of experience as a barrister, in-house legal leader, and senior officer in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Ranald shares his insights on what truly separates leadership from management, and how effective leaders inspire teams, make critical decisions, and foster trust in high-pressure environments.

The episode also explores:
– The difference between leadership and management
– How to empower teams and cultivate accountability, innovation, and ownership
– Leadership styles from transformational to situational (and when to use each)
– Balancing technical skill with emotional intelligence and communication
– Lessons from high-pressure environments, including military operations and corporate decision-making
– Developing moral courage, decisiveness, and servant leadership
– Practical advice for stepping into leadership opportunities
– How self-reflection, practice, and adaptability strengthen leadership

Throughout the conversation, Ranald illustrates how leadership can be a learnable skill and emphasises the importance of serving others while inspiring performance. His experiences provide a roadmap for anyone aiming to lead with impact, whether in legal teams, military units, or any high-stakes professional setting.

So, after reflecting on this episode: what leadership lessons can you take back to your team, and how can you step into a role that drives both accountability and inspiration?

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:17 Leadership vs. Management
00:01:03 Defining Leadership
00:02:05 The Importance of People in Leadership
00:03:01 John Adair’s Model: Task, Individual (People), Team
00:04:07 Military Exercise Example: Prioritising the Task
00:05:26 Motivating Teams and Unified Purpose
00:06:33 Empowerment Through Purpose and Constraints
00:06:44 Leadership and Restricted Information
00:07:35 Leadership Styles and Context
00:09:34 Servant Leadership and Military Influence
00:10:25 Characteristics of Poor Leadership
00:12:09 Empowering People
00:13:25 Giving Autonomy and Building Trust
00:15:47 Assuming Competence in Leadership Roles
00:18:17 Technical Expertise vs. Leadership
00:22:27 General Counsel vs. Subject Matter Expert
00:24:32 Challenges of Being a General Counsel
00:27:41 Budgetary Challenges for General Counsels & CLOs
00:28:48 Military vs. Civilian Leadership
00:29:21 Directive Leadership in the Military
00:29:53 Decisiveness and Proactivity in Leadership
00:31:07 In-House Legal Roles – Breadth, Risk Appetite
00:32:15 External Legal Expertise
00:34:03 Can Leadership Be Learned?
00:34:51 Being a People Person
00:35:06 Do We Have Enough Leaders?
00:35:57 Titles, Authority & Leadership
00:36:26 Chain of Command
00:38:15 Translating Military Leadership to Civilian Life
00:39:10 Influence of Others on Leadership Style
00:42:00 Volunteering and Leadership Development
00:43:21 Final Insights: Practicing Leadership
00:44:06 Closing Remarks

Stay Connected with Us:

Visit Our Website: Explore show notes, resources, and more at oblig8.com

Get in Touch: We love hearing from you, email us at hello@oblig8.com

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Videocast: Career Conversations: From Courtroom to Command | With Ranald Munro

Leadership, Law & the Military: Navigating Dual Careers at the Highest Level

In this episode of Oblig8Ed, host Ashrita Patel, sits down with Ranald Munro CB CBE TD DL VR, Executive Adviser, Executive Coach, Mentor and Confidante, Chief Legal Officer and Military Reservist.

Ranald’s career spans from the Crown Prosecution Service to in-house commercial practice and senior military leadership. From early years shaped by living abroad, to becoming a barrister and later holding senior in-house roles as a lawyer and company secretary at organisations like L’Oréal, Chubb Insurance and Lombard, Ranald shares how he built a legal career, almost by accident, then excelled.

Alongside this, he served in the military in the Parachute Regiment, rising from private soldier to Major General and Deputy Land Commander Forces in the British Army and then Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff and later as Commandant General, Director Reserves in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Ranald reflects on balancing two demanding careers, and how civilian and military skills and experiences complement each other.

The episode also explores:
– Building and managing dual careers across different sectors
– How skills transfer between the practise of law and the military
– Lessons from operating in high-pressure environments
– The importance of adaptability
– Why supportive employers are key to enabling ambitious, non-linear career paths
– Aligning personal values with organisations/long-term career decisions
– What success means
– Goal-setting and why it is important
– Why law is a good discipline

Throughout the conversation, Ranald shares candid reflections on the realities behind both career paths; offering perspectives on discipline, purpose, and navigating complex environments.

His story highlights what’s possible when ambition is paired with adaptability, a strong sense of purpose in a supportive environment.

After reflecting on this episode: what will you do to progress your career?

Timestamps:
00:00:05 Early Life and Background
00:01:43 Entry into Law
00:02:23 Choosing the Bar and Advocacy
00:02:50 Legal Career Progression
00:03:32 Transition from CPS to Commercial Law
00:04:18 Why In-House Commercial Legal Work?
00:05:35 Variety and Specialisation in In-House Roles
00:06:01 Connection to Products in Legal Roles
00:06:31 Memorable Legal Achievements
00:07:37 Travel in Legal Career
00:08:34 Reflections on Legal Career and Transferable Skills
00:09:26 Entry into the Military
00:10:37 Balancing Law and Military Careers
00:11:34 Military Career Path
00:12:54 Choosing the Parachute Regiment
00:14:02 Motivations for Joining and Staying in the Military
00:15:14 Transferable Skills Between Military and Civilian Life
00:16:33 Meshing Legal and Military Skills
00:17:39 Differences Between Military and Civilian Legal Practice
00:18:32 Managing Dual Careers
00:19:20 Employer Support for Reservists
00:20:24 Finding Out More About Military Service
00:21:00 Military Skills Benefiting Civilian Roles
00:22:14 Key Differences Between Military and Civilian Roles
00:22:59 Volunteering and Community Involvement
00:23:48 Value of Volunteering
00:24:51 Legal Skills in Volunteering
00:25:33 In-House Lawyering and Judgment
00:26:18 Company Secretary Experience
00:27:16 Career Highlights and Teamwork
00:28:46 Building Relationships
00:29:38 Personal Interests and Reading
00:31:19 Leisure Activities
00:32:19 Favourite Holiday
00:33:32 Family Influence and Privilege
00:35:06 Sports Preferences
00:35:33 Flying in an RAF Fighter Jet
00:37:27 Simulator Experience
00:38:08 Choosing Between Law and Military
00:39:14 Switching Between Careers
00:40:12 Defining Success
00:41:26 Goal Setting and Embracing Failure
00:42:43 Motivation for Career Moves
00:43:39 Short, Medium, and Long-Term Planning
00:47:29 Networking
00:48:59 Advice for Aspiring Lawyers and Professionals

Stay Connected with Us:

Visit Our Website: Explore show notes, resources, and more at oblig8.com
Get in Touch: We love hearing from you, email us at

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