Career Matters, created by Erica Sosna

helping organisations retain and reinvigorate their talent by having the right #CareerConversations at the right time.

Head of Delivery

Penelope Layzell

Our careers are important to us, the give us focus and direction. Yet when they aren’t working cause so much pain and suffering through anxiety, stress, fear the list goes on. We could be an employee working in an environment that’s not right or a business owner struggling with a business that isn’t growing the way you wanted. This is signs of energy misalignment, get energy right and we work in flow. 

Yet it’s isn’t easy to just flick the switch and put things right we have to work out what is wrong, clear ineffective energy and replace with the right energy. This is where I come in, helping to find the block, generate the right energy so your business or career flows once again

Energy needs to flow a blockage can stop it and just like electricity things needs to be connected

The Career Whisperer

HeartMath UK+IRL

Certified HeartMath Coach

Aroma Freedom International

Aroma Freedom Practitioner

Raise Recruitment Ltd

Supporting companies to meet todays recruitment challenges head on by seamlessly blending consulting and staff resilience into traditional methods to ensure faster and targeted hiring with less stress, staff attrition to keep productivity strong

Director of Recruiting

Hamilton Cross

Took the opportunity to launch another branch for Hamilton Cross one of the UK’s leading Healthcare Staffing Companies, placing Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, and Support Workers into various Healthcare settings.  

Awarded Fastest Growth award

Implementing processes and KPIs for my branch. Ensuring compliance and recruitment processes in place, recruitment of a branch team. 

Building up a strong client base as well as recruiting a team of qualified carers and nurses to meet the need of the services we support.

Engaging with key stakeholders at all levels

Hamilton Cross has built an exceptional reputation for supplying exceptional healthcare professionals whilst providing an unrivalled service, becoming the first choice supplier to the majority of our customers

Regional Business Manager

Layzell Maintenance

Helped establish my husbands business, helping to establish marketing and generating leads.

Manager

Newcross Healthcare Solutions

In 2016 I successfully launched the Lincoln branch of Newcross,  becoming launch branch of the year within my first year. 

Business Development to establish a strong client base for a team of care staff throughout Lincolnshire  within a range of settings including Residential Homes, Nursing Homes and supported living

HR functions including interviews, disciplinary and monitoring performance of all staff

Specialties 
Healthcare, Nursing, Complex Care, Care, Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Care at Home, Home Care, Community Nursing, Domiciliary Care, Support Work, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health

Business Centre Manager

Osiris Educational

Coming into a new role within the company, had to establish the operational aspects of the post. Implementing new procedures across the company to ensure and maintain exceptional overall customer relationships.  Delivering reliable support and customer relations 
•	Maintaining a strong working knowledge of products with the company
•	Resolving customers’ queries within agreed authority
•	Contributing to the development of new products and services, based on trainer feedback
•	Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate with a wide range of people
•	Strong negotiation skills for fee setting 
•	Strong decision making skills and the ability to take the lead
•	Developing, monitoring KPIs and Successfully working to targets

Client Relationship Manager

Staffline Recruitment Limited

I successfully launched and managed an onsite office ensure the smooth and efficient provision of temporary staff to a food industry client.
Full understanding of Swedish Derogation Contractors well versed on disciplinary hearings and managing permanent contractors
Recruitment planning and ensuring peak periods are filled smoothly so as not to cause disruption to client
Full understanding of client  requirements is essential.
Management of team to ensure service of client is maximised
Monitoring KPI and budgets
Essential compliance of paperwork, through regular auditing
Performance Management of both agency and direct team
Full understanding of agency worker regulations
Adherring to SLA agreements 
Outstanding Customer Service
250 temps on site at peak times to rosta and recruit 
Key stakeholder management

Contract Manager

Award Winning Growth Consultant | Helping create thriving work cultures through streamlining & systemising processes, & career conversations which reduces high turnover, builds engagement, supports Gen Z & career growth

Hi, I'm Penelope Layzell, with over 20 years of experience in senior management and recruitment. 

Certified HeartMath Coach, 
Sound & Energy Healer,  
Aroma Freeman Practitioner
Author  
Resident Expert for a leading magazine,

You can heal the negative impact of job hunting the traditional way, or being in toxic work cultures through meditation and coaching so you can create an abundant, purposeful career full of joy.

As Head of Delivery at Career Matters the unique and simple Career Equation makes it easy for firms to keep and grow their best people.

The Сareer Equation model is quick to learn and easy to apply. This IP has helped Thales, Puig, Savills, Amazon, Capital One, Mastercard, Nomura, AXA and ComplyAdvantage to mobilise and retain key talent. 

Provide expert digital learning, virtual masterclasses and in-person group career coaching to help your people own and design their ideal career trajectory in your firm. 

WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE:

-Retain your hard-to-hire employees at all levels and all stages of the employment cycle
-Equip internal coaches, managers, and mentors to have the right conversation in a consistent and skilful way
-Co-design a high-performing hybrid environment that your people thrive in 
-Increased productivity and internal mobility
-Provide a personalised career development track that makes your people un-poachable! 

Career conversations are a critical business lever in the 21st century. If you aren’t talking to your people about their careers, they’ll leave for somewhere that is. 

"Career Matters worked with MSD to design and deliver a Career Coaching and Engagement one-day event for 150 People Managers. The career method was just what we needed and they immediately built rapport and impact with a large audience. The feedback from the attendees was extremely positive and I have no doubt that results will follow."
JULIE ARNELL, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT MSD

"Erica and her team are extremely professional and innovative, Erica delivered a day of fun and thought-provoking Careers Matters material to 15 of our wonderful grads from the EuroNorth Graduate Program. The grads came away buzzing and full of ideas for the future. The day was a great success and I would be very happy to recommend Erica and will definitely be reaching out to her again to arrange other training events."
SHIRLENE GRIFFITHS, HR POP – UK AT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Or check out our free career conversations training for managers here.
https://www.careermatters.today/confident-career-conversations-course-for-managers-access

One Degree Ltd

One Degree was a start up business in 2022, that with no money, no business contacts, no business experience, and no knowledge of sales or marketing, I took from zero to 6-figures within 10-months

I founded One Degree after 23-yrs in the RAF. My final role was teaching their worldclass leadership and management courses.

Despite the quality of the training provided, there were just so many examples of such terrible leadership. Which I struggled to understand.

This took me on a developmental pathway learning the psychology of leadership, why people behave the way we do, the neuroscience of learning, and mindset.

I created the Infinite Leadership Development Programme that combines personality profiling, training, mentoring and coaching, to create leaders who have added millions of pounds (GBP) to their businesses revenue.

Founder

Andy Nisevic Coaching

Helping micro businesses create a personalised emergency strategy to interrupt the decline and and start growing

Stop your business failing coach

Royal Air Force (RAF)

Rank: Warrant Officer (Executive)

Led strategic design and implementation of the RAF-wide leadership framework, supporting capability development across all leadership tiers

Delivered ILM and CMI-accredited leadership and management programs (Levels 4–7), with a focus on mid-senior and executive leadership

Coached and assessed learners against behavioural standards and RAF core values, reinforcing ethical leadership and decision-making under pressure

Played a key role in strategic planning discussions, aligning leadership development priorities with organisational transformation and operational readiness

Oversaw instructor supervision, learner progression, resource management, and programme evaluation to ensure high-quality, high-impact delivery

Unified operational and strategic leadership development functions under one remit, ensuring cohesion, alignment, and cultural relevance

Head of Leadership Development

Rank: Flight Sargent (Senior Management)

Delivered ILM and CMI-accredited leadership and management programs at Levels 4–7, supporting leadership development across mid to senior personnel.

Assessed learners’ performance and attitudes against core values, applying coaching principles to support growth and behavioural change.

Led programme evaluation and improvement cycles to ensure alignment with current leadership challenges and operational expectations.

Supervised instructional staff and managed training resources to maintain quality and consistency across all delivery cohorts.

Supported the development of leadership mindsets, decision-making, and ethical awareness through facilitated reflection and coaching.

Leadership Development Manager

Rank: Flight Sargent (Senior Management)

Directed a 20-person department responsible for operational training design and delivery, including executive-level development for senior personnel.

Developed and implemented learning strategy aligned with mission objectives, workforce capability needs, and evolving operational contexts.

Led end-to-end design, delivery, and evaluation of training programs across technical, operational, and leadership domains.

Focused on enhancing instructional capability, introducing innovative learning tools and creative delivery methods to increase engagement and effectiveness.

Engaged senior stakeholders to align training outcomes with frontline and strategic requirements.

Transformed a high-performing department into an overachieving centre of excellence—praised for flexibility, responsiveness, and impact across the organisation.

Head of Learning and Development

Rank: Flight Sargent (Senior Management)

Led a team of ~100 personnel across multiple UK and international sites, delivering dual operational outputs: UK Air Defence and overseas military mission support

Took over a fragmented, low-morale unit and led a cultural and structural transformation grounded in RAF core values of respect, integrity, service, and excellence

Dismantled siloed behaviours and internal cliques by fostering a culture of mutual accountability, operational ownership, and cross-functional support

Enhanced operational readiness by increasing qualifications and training across the team, boosting flexibility and deployment capability

Created a high-performance environment recognised for its operational focus, cohesive team culture, and mission resilience

Senior Operations Manager

Rank: Sargent (Middle Management)

Contributed to the strategic replacement of the UK Air Defence Management System by representing operational end-users in cross-functional procurement discussions

Conducted logistics and user criteria assessments, ensuring proposed solutions aligned with real-world operational demands across domestic and international theatres

Led training needs analyses and contributed to strategic documentation, influencing procurement decisions through frontline insights

Drew on extensive experience with diverse systems used in multiple operational environments to shape solution design and system selection

Collaborated with technical specialists, Ministry of Defence stakeholders, training teams, and external vendors to align user needs with delivery capability

Procurement Representative

Rank: Sargent (Middle Management)

Joint Royal Air Force & Royal Artillery

Acted as a key liaison between the Senior Leadership Team and operational units, ensuring alignment of frontline delivery with strategic priorities across multiple domestic and international sites

Led a multidisciplinary team of ~30 personnel spanning technical, operational, and training functions, maintaining a consistent standard of performance, discipline, and readiness

Managed crew and resource allocation to optimise operational effectiveness and meet mission-critical timelines

Monitored and enforced KPIs, embedding accountability structures and driving continuous improvement using Lean principles

Oversaw the implementation and use of bespoke systems for operational planning and equipment availability, improving decision-making and reducing downtime

Maintained high standards of operational discipline, contributing to the team’s strong reputation and consistent delivery of high-priority objectives

Recognised for leading a small, agile team that became highly sought-after for delivering strategic outcomes under pressure

Operations Manager

Rank: Sargent (Middle Management)

Led end-to-end operational delivery across multi-site and multi-national teams, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and KPIs.

Designed and implemented process improvements that increased efficiency and reduced operational bottlenecks.

Managed resource planning and allocation, optimising use of personnel, budgets, and infrastructure.

Oversaw compliance with regulatory, safety, and organisational standards, mitigating risk and ensuring continuity.

Delivered performance reviews and improvement plans, enhancing team capability and accountability.

Championed a high-performance culture through coaching, mentoring, and structured team development.

Collaborated cross-functionally with HR, .and senior leadership to drive operational cohesion.

Spearheaded technology adoption (e.g., systems/process automation), improving service delivery and data accuracy.

Monitored KPIs and produced performance dashboards to inform strategic decision-making.

Rank: Corporal (Supervisor)

• Developed and delivered comprehensive training programs for RAF recruits, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.  
• Utilized on-the-job instructional techniques to enhance learning outcomes and ensure alignment with organizational values.  
• Conducted attitudinal assessments to foster a culture of excellence and accountability among trainees.

Learning And Development Specialist

Rank: Corporal (Supervisor)

• Managed a team of apprenticeship assessors across multiple national and international sites to ensure effective learning outcomes.  
• Coordinated and implemented learning activities, enhancing the success rate of apprenticeships.  
• Spearheaded the implementation of a Learning Management System (LMS) to improve the accuracy of learning tracking.

Joint Royal Air Force & Royal Artillery

• Collaborated within a multi-site international team to deliver real-time threat assessments for military partners.  
• Utilized specialized equipment to identify and disseminate critical threat information effectively.  
• Enhanced operational efficiency, contributing to improved response times and decision-making processes.  
• Developed skills in threat analysis, data interpretation, and cross-functional communication in a high-stakes environment.

Operations Specialist

• Delivered operational conversion training to graduates of RAF recruit and trade training, ensuring readiness for real-world applications.  
• Employed a blend of classroom-based, process-driven, and on-the-job training techniques to enhance learning outcomes.  
• Followed quality assured assessment processes, ensuring high quality operators.

Learning Facilitator

• Conducted surveillance of UK Airspace, ensuring its integrity and safety.  
• Operated bespoke ICT equipment for real-time threat analysis and mitigation.  
• Implemented threat mitigation processes, enhancing operational efficiency.  
• Trained new staff members, fostering a knowledgeable and skilled team environment.

Operations Team Member

After 23 years in the Royal Air Force, rising through all the non-commissioned ranks and eventually teaching their Level 7-accredited Leadership & Management programmes, I learned something vital:

There’s no such thing as a “good” or “bad” manager — only human beings, doing their best while carrying unseen pressures.

In 2018, I was diagnosed with moderate depression and severe anxiety. That experience reshaped how I lead my teams. Making the changes after (eventually) seeking support, my department went from performing well, to achieving things no one thought was possible.

Now, I help stressed senior and middle managers lead with certainty, clarity, & confidence, all of which mean they have great impact, without losing themselves in the process.

My clients have seen results like:

•	42% business growth in two years
•	Tripling production
•	79% reduction in staff turnover
•	Breaking cycles of overwork, self-doubt, and silence

But numbers aside, the real impact is personal. They go from people-pleasing to boundary-setting, from anxious to assertive, from unclear to unshakeable.

I'm known for being honest, clear, and direct. No waffle, no sugar-coating. If you’re ready to face the truth, do the work, and lead with integrity, let’s chat.
________________________________________
🏅 No.1 Best-Selling Author | International Keynote Speaker | Master Trainer & Mentor

🎯 Accredited Coach: Personal Performance | Team Performance | Wellbeing | Holistic Coaching | Life Coaching

🧠 Certified Practitioner in DISC and Core Strengths (SDI)

Let’s turn pressure into performance — and you into the leader your team deserves.

📩 info@onedegree.uk
🤳🏻 07737 194 852

taplio

The Battle

Penelope Layzell

Andy Nisevic

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?