Today the Brecon Beacons has woken up under a blanket of crisp snow – bright, fresh and cold. It’s a shock to the system after the cosy comfort of festive hibernation. For the past few weeks many of us have lost track of what day it even was. Now, suddenly, we’re back to school runs, inboxes, meetings, diaries, duties and deadlines.
News
Experiential Learning and Development: A 2025 Reflection
As 2025 draws to a close and the holidays approach, we wanted to pause and reflect – and say thank you.
This year has been shaped by moments of connection, growth and genuine change. Across organisations, teams and early-career talent, we’ve seen what happens when people are given space to step away from the everyday and learn through experience.
Breakfast Serial Hensol Castle leadership event
Lessons in Teamwork, Values and Human Resilience
Last week, we hosted another energising Breakfast Serial event in partnership with the Vale Resort – set in the breathtaking surroundings of Hensol Castle. These mornings are designed to bring business leaders together for insight, connection and inspiration, and our November session did exactly that.
No Black Friday Here – Just Brilliant Brecon Beacons Days (Whatever the Weather)
No Black Friday Here, Just Brilliant Brecon Beacons Days (Whatever the Weather)
What’s the best way to beat the stress of stormy November days? Outdoor team building in winter.
November in the UK often brings sideways rain, grey skies and a sense that stress is coming at us from every angle – work pressure, festive demands, inbox overload, and the national obsession with Black Friday.
While everyone else is diving into discounts, we’re stepping outside.
Women in Leadership Confidence: How to Close the Confidence Gap
What would you do if you were 10% more confident today than you were yesterday?
That question, posed by our senior leadership coach Lynda Campbell in Call of the Wild’s webinar Rewriting the Rules – Breaking Free from Silent Confidence Killers, captures a truth that many of us recognise: women in leadership confidence often has less to do with ability and more to do with permission.
Top Five Qualities of a Great Leader
Insights from the Walking the Talk podcast with Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE
What are the five qualities of a great leader? It’s a question that underpins every leadership journey – and one explored in depth in the Walking the Talk podcast, hosted by Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE.
In a recent episode, our guest shared five defining leadership qualities that separate good leaders from great ones. These insights go beyond skills and strategy – they’re about the human side of leadership: how we connect, communicate, and inspire others.
Why the Best Conversations Happen Outdoors
Some conversations are never easy – whether it’s giving honest feedback, addressing conflict, or checking in on someone who isn’t quite themselves. But one thing we’ve learned, both through experience and research, is that where and how these conversations happen can make all the difference.
We’ve seen time and again – that stepping outside helps people open up. There’s something about the rhythm of walking, the fresh air, and the absence of four walls that softens the edges of even the most difficult discussions. Science agrees.
Leadership Lessons from Space Exploration: What Business Leaders Can Learn from Mars
What can business leaders learn from space exploration? At our recent Breakfast Serial at Hensol Castle, leaders from across Wales came together to hear from Sue Horne OBE, Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency. Interviewed by Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE, Sue shared her extraordinary journey – from her beginnings in Sheffield to shaping the UK’s role in global space missions with ESA, NASA and JAXA.
With experience leading UK contributions to missions such as Rosetta, Cassini-Huygens, Mars Express and ExoMars, Sue’s story is full of insights that resonate far beyond science. Recently awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her services to space exploration, she offered practical leadership lessons that can inspire any organisation.
Walking the Talk with Dr Barrie Kennard: Why Leadership Isn’t Complicated
Leadership Isn’t Complicated – It’s About People
In leadership circles, we’re often bombarded with models, acronyms, and theories. But according to Dr Barrie Kennard, leadership doesn’t have to be complicated.
“The one thing about leadership? It’s people. It’s how you relate to people.”
That’s the message from Barrie, Head of Professional Practice at Call of the Wild, whose career has taken him from BT to lecturing at Cardiff University and advising organisations worldwide.
Duke of Edinburgh Supporters Netwalking Day with Call of the Wild
Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a Duke of Edinburgh supporters netwalking day here in South Wales. The day brought together DofE supporters, business leaders, and partners for a unique mix of inspiration, connection, and time in nature.
Overcoming Hidden Barriers: A Bold New Look at Leadership
It’s a familiar story: you’re talented, capable, and driven, but something’s holding you back. You might think it’s a lack of ability or some hidden flaw, but what if the real culprit is something far more subtle? What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your potential, but the way you’ve been taught to show up?
The Importance of Alternative Career Paths: After A-Level and GCSE Results
For many, the weeks following A-Level and GCSE results are filled with excitement, relief, and often, a little bit of anxiety. The traditional narrative has long been a straight line from school to university, but for today’s students in the UK, the career landscape is more dynamic and diverse than ever. We believe that understanding the importance of alternative career paths is the first step to building a resilient and successful future.
Actively Preparing for High Churn: Are You Building Loyalty or a Revolving Door?
We’ve been speaking with individuals who’ve recently joined entry-level roles in new sectors, and a pattern is emerging. It’s one that might make leaders feel uncomfortable, because while companies talk about retention, some onboarding processes seem to scream, “We know you won’t stay, so let’s just get you up to speed and ready for replacement.”. We’re missing opportunities to prevent employee churn in onboarding.
ILM Level 5 Leadership & Management Qualification Review | Develop Leaders in Wales
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?
Strong leadership builds strong communities. It’s the difference between a team that thrives and one that simply survives. But what does it take to become a truly impactful leader in Wales? It starts with the right foundation, with Leadership and management qualifications in Wales.
The Best Leadership Development Programmes UK for 2025: Experiential Growth in the Bannau Brycheiniog
In the dynamic landscape of 2025, the demand for truly impactful leadership development programmes UK-wide has never been higher. Organisations are seeking more than just theoretical knowledge; they need leaders who are agile, empathetic, resilient, and equipped to navigate an increasingly complex world. At Call of the Wild, with over 27 years of pioneering experiential development from the awe-inspiring Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), we redefine what effective leadership training looks like.
Unforgettable Team Building Activities UK for 2025: Boost Cohesion & Performance in the Bannau Brycheiniog & Beyond
In today’s fast-paced, often hybrid, world, fostering strong, cohesive teams is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity for any thriving UK business. As we head into 2025, the demand for unforgettable team building activities UK-wide is soaring, with organisations recognising the profound impact these experiences have on morale, communication, and overall performance.
Why Now’s the Time to Plan Your Christmas Work Do
Talking about Christmas in July might sound mad (especially when the school summer holidays are only just starting!) but now is exactly the right time to plan a Christmas work do that the team will actually remember.
Toolbox Talk: Heat Stress – How to Recognise and Reduce the Risks
What is Heat Stress?
Heat stress occurs when the body struggles to regulate its internal temperature. It’s not just about high air temperature – factors like work rate, humidity, and clothing also contribute. If unmanaged, it can cause serious health issues or even death.
Timeless Leadership Lessons from the Shipping Forecast at 100
As we celebrate 100 years of the Shipping Forecast, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the leadership lessons from the Shipping Forecast – a quietly iconic broadcast that’s guided generations through uncertain waters. Just as sailors have relied on its clarity and calm, leaders today can learn from its enduring strength.
We’re Rated GOOD! Call of the Wild Celebrates First Ofsted Success
We’re absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news — Call of the Wild has been officially rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in our first ever inspection!
This exciting recognition celebrates the outstanding quality, impact, and learner-centred approach of our flagship Level 6 Career Development Professional Apprenticeship — a programme that is not only transforming careers, but shaping the future of our workforce and leadership.
Team Development Day in the Bannau Brycheiniog
A Winning Experience with Purpose: LexisNexis Risk Solutions Team Join Us in the Bannau Brycheiniog
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the Strategic Planning team from LexisNexis Risk Solutions for a very special team development day in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. The team had placed the winning bid for this experience at the recent Business Beats Cancer Cymru fundraiser — a fantastic evening that brings the business community together to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
Leadership lessons from Antarctica
Our very first Call of the Wild x Hensol Castle Quarterly Networking ‘Breakfast Serial’ took place last Friday morning — and what a way to kick things off with some leadership lessons from Antarctica!
Why Time and Space Matter in Difficult Conversations
Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of life—especially at work. But do you give yourself time and space for difficult conversations? Whether you’re providing feedback, managing conflict, supporting someone through change, or addressing performance, the way we approach these moments can shape relationships, trust, and outcomes.