Paul Brothwood

Music has always fascinated me, particularly the stories behind influential recordings. Meeting artists and discussing music reinforces why I enjoy exploring pieces like The Jubalaires' Noah , a recording that helped shape later musical styles.  Paul Brothwood has always enjoyed exploring the stories behind influential music. One recording that continues to fascinate me is The Jubalaires' 1946 performance of "Noah", a remarkable blend of gospel, rhythm and spoken-word delivery that many historians regard as an important influence on the development of rap music. My interest in music goes beyond listening. Over the years I have enjoyed meeting artists and exploring the history behind recordings that have influenced later generations, including The Jubalaires' Noah . The Jubalaires — Noah [ Bassic Remix ] brings a fresh edge to a 1940s classic. Known for rich harmonies and storytelling, The Jubalaires combined gospel with fast-paced vocals, an approach that feels l...

Paul Brothwood, Chartered Environmentalist and operations leader, has lived with Type 1 Diabetes since childhood. Paul Brothwood believes some of the most valuable project management lessons begin long before we enter the workplace. Living with Type 1 diabetes from the age of three taught me planning, risk management, communication and resilience, skills that have shaped my career as an Operations Manager and Chartered Environmentalist. At the age of three, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and everything seemed to change. Suddenly, life presented me with a complex and demanding project: managing a disease that does not take breaks and can be both unpredictable and, frankly, deadly. While most children were playing and learning, I was learning about blood sugars, injections, and counting each bite of food. I didn’t let it overwhelm me; instead, I took control early on to ensure that diabetes would never get in the way of the life I desired. Managing Type 1 diabetes is a demanding d...

Paul Brothwood began his career through HSBC's Graduate Management Trainee Programme and later held senior management roles within the bank. Watching HSBC's strategic transformation has been particularly interesting because it reflects many of the leadership and operational challenges facing global organisations today. This article shares my perspective on the bank's restructuring and what other businesses can learn from it. When I joined HSBC, the focus was on seamless global integration—connecting markets in the East and West under one unified strategy. I had the privilege of working within this framework, where the goal was to leverage HSBC’s massive global presence. However, the challenges facing the banking sector today—regulatory complexity, geopolitical tensions, and the rise of regionalism—are clearly pushing HSBC towards a more localised approach This restructuring signals a deeper recognition that the banking environment is more fragmented now than it was during m...

Paul Brothwood believes some of the most enduring leadership lessons come from unexpected places. The Bushido Code, the ethical principles that guided Japan's samurai, continues to influence modern leadership, decision-making and organisational culture. This article explores whether those values still have a place in today's small businesses. Travelling through Thailand reinforced my interest in Japanese culture, leadership and the timeless principles of the Bushido Code. Although developed centuries ago, values such as integrity, respect and discipline continue to offer useful lessons for modern organisations. My interest in Japanese culture and leadership has grown through years of travel across Asia. Visiting Thailand gave me time to reflect on how the Bushido Code still influences modern thinking about leadership, discipline and personal responsibility. Bushido emphasises values like integrity, discipline, and loyalty — qualities that resonate with me as I guide our company...

Paul Brothwood discussing leadership, sustainability and operational performance Paul Brothwood believes successful business transformation should strengthen health and safety rather than compromise it. Throughout my career I have seen that organisations achieve the best results when operational improvement, leadership and workforce safety are planned together instead of being treated as separate priorities. Business process re-engineering is often associated with efficiency, productivity and cost reduction. However, lasting success comes from redesigning processes that also improve safety, environmental performance and employee wellbeing. That approach has shaped my work across construction, utilities and operational leadership. Health and safety are now central to construction, but it can still be seen as just a compliance exercise—"Have we ticked all the boxes?" "Is everyone up to date on the latest regulations?" While this approach is important, I think we'r...

Paul Brothwood comparing two very different motorcycles, the Suzuki Hayabusa and Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST, through the lens of long-distance riding and ownership experience. Paul Brothwood has travelled thousands of miles across Europe and the USA by motorcycle, riding everything from high-performance sports bikes to luxury touring machines. This article compares two icons of motorcycling, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and the Suzuki Hayabusa 25th Anniversary, and explains why each offers a completely different riding experience. I’ve spent a lot of time around motorcycles, and when it comes to iconic bikes, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and the Suzuki 25th Anniversary Hayabusa are in a league of their own. These two machines represent the best of two very different worlds — long-distance cruising versus high-speed performance. But as different as they are, each bike has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a closer look at what makes them stand out — and where they ...

Paul Brothwood believes the construction industry will be stronger when it attracts and retains more women in technical, operational and leadership roles. Throughout my career I have seen how diverse teams improve collaboration, decision-making and innovation, while helping organisations build a stronger pipeline of future talent. I believe diversity is a strength. It brings fresh ideas and solutions, which are essential in a sector that values problem-solving. To achieve this, we've changed our recruitment processes to encourage gender diversity and inclusivity. Reviewing our recruitment practices One of the first steps we took was to redesign our recruitment process to make it more accessible and appealing to women. Historically, job descriptions in construction have used language that may not attract female candidates. To address this, we revised all job postings to use gender-neutral language and focused on skills, attitude, and potential rather than experience in a traditional...