Craig Watkins, CEO of Verian UK: How I Influence Government To Make Positive Change

My Duvet Flip by Jack Parsons

Jack Parsons

Business, Careers

4.2 • 5 Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Check out Verian Group:

https://www.veriangroup.com/

Episode Guest

Craig Watkins, CEO at Verian Group meets with Jack Parsons (Jackson) UK's Chief Youth Officer.

Craig Watkins is the CEO of Verian UK, a leading organisation specialising in understanding human behaviour to drive data-driven insights and improve public policymaking. With over 30 years of experience in the public sector, Craig leads Verian's world-class research team to deliver impactful solutions that change lives and inform decision-making globally. Verian's work focuses on using evidence and insights to tackle societal challenges and power decisions that transform communities.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 - What’s the purpose of this discussion, and who is Craig Watkins?(Introduction)
2:18 - What should you do if you don’t know what you want in life?
2:25 - How can reflecting on your experiences guide your journey?
2:40 - What makes a work experience truly fulfilling?
3:05 - Why is it important to bring your authentic self to work?
5:11 - What advice does Craig give to those who feel they need to mask themselves?
6:19 - How can workplaces support individuals with neurodiversities?
8:17 - When is adapting necessary, and how do you find balance?
9:37 - How should you choose roles that align with your true self?
16:20 - How do you discover what you truly want to do in life?
18:40 - What can young people learn from reflecting on their successes and challenges?
20:49 - How can you successfully adapt to a new career or environment?
26:33 - Why is being mildly uncomfortable crucial for growth?
28:46 - How can crises lead to valuable learning opportunities?
31:40 - How do you keep your ambitions alive while adapting to challenges?
35:49 - What motivates Craig Watkins to embrace each new day?
37:00 - Why is productivity and engagement key for personal development?
38:11 - How does food, culture, and memory shape personal and professional connections?

Episode Partner

Verian is a global leader in research, evaluation, and communications, providing data-driven insights to improve public policy and tackle societal challenges. It operates across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the US, empowering impactful decisions worldwide.

*Disclaimer*

The content provided on My Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support. Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and My Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Some people know what they want to be and that's fantastic.
0:02.4	But it also doesn't matter if you don't.
0:04.4	Life is a journey.
0:06.3	You can go left, you can go right.
0:08.2	And you will try something in your twenties and some of it will work and some of it won't,
0:12.4	but you will have learned something.
0:14.0	I agree.
0:14.9	How do you find that one?
0:16.6	Reflect, think about it.
0:18.4	When you've had a really, really good piece of work, why? Was it the topic?
0:22.6	Was it the process? Was it the people? And the same if it's not been a pleasant one. It's that kind of journey of learning and reflecting and trying.
0:31.6	You should always try. Never be afraid to try something new. What's the worst that can happen?
0:35.6	Well, my name is Craig Lockins and I'm the UK CEO at Verian.
0:42.3	We employ around 350 people and this is my duvet flip.
0:46.3	When you're doing one thing and you go, I'm going to pivot, repurpose, refocus,
0:52.3	how can one adapt? I consciously made the decision that I would leave that role
0:58.4	and move to a different organisation. I wanted a different experience. I wanted to challenge myself.
1:04.5	It's okay to be uncomfortable. There are days that turn out bad, but that's okay because tomorrow is
1:09.7	another day. Every new day has new
1:11.5	potential. And there might be some more stuff that goes wrong, but also there are days when
1:15.3	you get up and you have no idea about the brilliant thing that is a fact happened. Human beings are
1:20.2	incredible in their ability to be resilient, to learn to progress. I always say never waste a crisis.
	...

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