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The Little QuestionsAuthor: Apella Advisors
Welcome to The Little Questions podcast from Apella Advisors. In each episode, we tackle a critical little question, covering topics from across the world of communications, corporate affairs and beyond. Language: en Genres: Business, Management, Marketing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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What to do when your culture becomes the crisis
Episode 98
Tuesday, 10 March, 2026
If your organisation's culture were described anonymously tomorrow, would it match what's written in your annual report? In this episode of The Little Questions, we explore how culture failures move from being internal concerns to full-scale reputational crises, often catching leadership by surprise, despite long-standing warning signs. We examine what happens when aspiration outruns operational reality, how purpose language can over-promise, and why boards so often ask, "How did we not see this coming?" Apella partners Andrew Brown and Matt Young examine why culture scandals so often become governance, trust and market stories, and ask a deceptively simple (little) question: when culture failures hit the headlines, are they HR problems or corporate affairs failures? Andrew Brown; formerly Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. He has considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management as well as reputation sentiment analysis and insight. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc. Matt Young has 25 years of experience across media relations, public affairs, regulatory development, employee engagement, brand development, competition and CSR. Group corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA. You can get in touch at podcast@apellaadvisors.com and please consider leaving us a review. This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.
