Moving by the Seat of Our Pants: Navigating Global Mobility Trends

International moves fail when companies treat employees like widgets and forget the human element. In this episode, we dive into the reality of strategic localisations with Gill Gordon from the Permits Foundation and Ros Harvey from Warner Music Group. They expose a massive gap in corporate mobility: 83% of accompanying partners want to work abroad, but only 50% actually can. This single overlooked detail is costing businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds in failed assignments. Tune in to find out why duty of care cannot stop at the border, which countries are leading the way in family-friendly immigration, and how understanding individual circumstances keeps your top talent from packing up and heading home.

Most mobility functions struggle to escape operational urgency to become truly strategic. Steven McNabola from Rolls-Royce shares how he transformed both himself and his mobility team by listening to business needs first, then building four clear strategic pillars around those insights. This conversation reveals practical frameworks for shifting from reactive to strategic thinking, maintaining team motivation through continuous change, and why personal transformation as a leader directly impacts professional success. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:00) Introduction (03:47) The journey from humble beginnings to mobility leadership (08:29) Finding work-life balance after burnout (13:06) Why the shadow of a leader affects team performance (15:08) Moving from operational tasks to strategic thinking (19:27) Building a mobility strategy by listening to business stakeholders (22:18) The four strategic pillars that guide every decision (25:02) When and how to push back on business demands (27:41) Validation sessions to keep strategy relevant (31:32) Maintaining team motivation through continuous transformation (34:18) Creating team culture through celebration and recognition (37:56) The competitive bowling incident that became team legend Links mentioned in this episode: Steven McNabola on LinkedIn

James Speirs, the Vice President of Client Services at RelocationOnline, joins Moving By The Seat of Our Pants to unpack how relocation and employee support have evolved beyond traditional, logistics-focused models. Find out more about the shift toward a more holistic approach – one that emphasises wellbeing, flexibility, and technology – shaped by Covid, Gen Z expectations, and increasing demands around compliance, cost control, and AI. It’s a highlight on how global mobility teams are adapting to balance employee experience with organisational priorities. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (03:05) An accidental journey into mobility (04:39) Relocation trends from goods to holistic support (09:31) Rethinking global mobility priorities (13:29) Effective compliance for cost control (15:53) Relocation benefits and the evolving business rationale (18:39) Candidate assessment in relocation (21:39) Why mobility lags in wellbeing (25:09) Prioritising wellbeing in mobility (30:30) From gatekeepers to strategic partners (33:24) Person-led AI enhancing efficiency (35:52) The future of connected mobility solutions (37:58) Enhancing the digital employee experience Links mentioned in this episode: James Speirs on LinkedIn RelocationOnline

Jennifer Dyer, Global Consulting Leader EMEA from Cartus, unpacks how global mobility has evolved from simply moving people to managing everything international – often with limited resources and endless new challenges. From compliance and remote work to geopolitical curveballs, the trio explore why mobility has become the go-to function for solving complex global problems. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:00) Jen’s journey through global mobility and consulting (05:21) How mobility teams are adapting to constant change (10:15) Confidence, boundaries and the power of networking (13:17) Balancing urgency with practicality in mobility (18:03) Rethinking workforce strategies for a global world (21:42) Building mobility policies that actually fit your business (23:06) Managing burnout and finding strategic balance (27:54) The realities of burnout and shrinking budgets (30:43) Understanding responsibility in global mobility (34:45) How to prove global mobility’s value internally (38:15) Aligning mobility with wider business goals (39:24) The shifting role of global mobility today Links mentioned in this episode: Jennifer Dyer on LinkedIn Cartus

In this episode, Chris Blair and Scott Turner are joined by compliance experts Katy Bond from Grant Thornton and Rachel Harrington from Slaughter and May. They unpack one of mobility’s most critical and misunderstood challenges: compliance. From navigating shifting regulations and Brexit’s lasting impact to balancing employee experience with risk management, hear their takeaways on streamlining processes, preparing for a digital compliance landscape, and correcting common misconceptions. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (03:53) Career journey in mobility consulting (07:59) Compliance and strategic mobility (10:07) Frequent business traveller compliance issues (15:03) Challenges in decentralised organisational models (18:57) Navigating complex mobility challenges (20:21) Compliance challenges in business (24:07) Assessing and managing business risks (26:31) Adapting risk strategies post-COVID (30:19) Compliance crossroads and flexibility (34:47) Proactive stakeholder management Links mentioned in this episode: Rachel Harrington on LinkedIn Katy Bond on LinkedIn

Emily Stewart is the Client Success Director in Mobility Technology for EQUUS Software. Her global experience and unconventional path into mobility – complete with red-eye flights, missed sleep, and a cameo from her five-year-old son Jamie – make for a fascinating listen. We explore the Human Edge: how technology can enhance global mobility not by replacing people, but by helping teams be more human in what they do. Emily shares insights from her career, including supporting mobility for people with disabilities, and shows how tech and data can improve the employee experience and free up teams to focus on what really matters. We also unpack the balancing act between automation and empathy, lessons in change management, and getting ready for the metaverse. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (06:28) Global mobility career journey (08:12) Understanding DEI through accessibility challenges (10:41) Streamlining mobility and reducing admin work (13:29) How tech boosts employee satisfaction (17:17) Breaking down knowledge gaps (20:50) Embracing change in payroll automation (24:24) Business travel trends and what they reveal (26:58) Evolving virtual assignment policies (29:39) Smarter dashboards for workforce planning (35:47) Using AI in financial reporting (38:00) Can you trust open source AI? (40:46) One portal for employee mobility (43:09) Why personal mobility experience matters Links mentioned in this episode: EQUUS Software

Explore the reasons behind under representation in Expat populations and how companies are overcoming these issues with a variety of techniques and approaches. This Episode of ”Moving by the seat of our pants” will spark your creative approach to driving greater inclusivity in your global mobility programme!

Welcome to "Moving by the Seat of Our Pants," where hosts Chris Blair from Expat Academy and Scott Turner from Equus Software dive into the dynamic world of global mobility. In this episode, special guest Claire Fielding from AirInc joins us to explore the evolution of global mobility policies. Discover Claire's unique journey from chartered accountant to global mobility expert as she shares her insights on the power of empathy and the importance of flexibility in policy design. Tune in as we discuss the growing demand for remote work and virtual assignments, the impact of shifting workforce demographics, and strategies for balancing compliance, duty of care, and employee experience. Join us as we delve into the nuances of creating policies that truly support a diverse and mobile workforce, ensuring that the well-being and needs of individuals are not lost in the process. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode offers valuable guidance on navigating the ever-changing landscape of global mobility.

Join us in ”Moving By the Seat of Our Pants” as Kate Fitzpatrick from Mercer discusses the evolving landscape of global mobility, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in managing a global workforce.