In this edition of ImpactExperts Question Time, we’re thrilled to feature Paul Higgins, a dedicated advocate for building stronger communities and creating pathways for personal and professional growth. With a background spanning roles in education, sports, and social impact measurement, Paul has consistently demonstrated his commitment to fostering connections and empowering others.
From transforming a local running group into a thriving intergenerational hub to bridging the gap between education and employment, Paul’s work has left a lasting imprint on countless lives. His belief in the power of collaboration and human connection drives his efforts to create environments where individuals can discover their value and achieve their potential.
Join us as Paul shares the milestones, lessons, and inspirations that have shaped his journey, offering insights into how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and impactful future.
What is the biggest thing you have done to create or improve social impact?
For me, social impact is about the profound effect actions have on people and communities. One of my most meaningful contributions came while working with Sector Skills Councils and academies to address the skills gap in the UK. That experience inspired me to establish a community initiative affiliated with England Athletics, focusing on bringing people together through sports.
What started as a small idea has grown into a vibrant hub for the local community. Members, aged 18 to 90, gather weekly for activities tailored to their needs. We run in small groups, then come together afterward for conversations over drinks. It’s more than just sport—it’s about fostering connections, building confidence, and creating a safe, supportive environment where people feel valued.
The impact goes beyond physical activity. For example, I helped an 87-year-old member, who had a stroke, reach his goal of earning 100 medals. The self-belief and resilience he gained through our community not only helped him achieve this but also played a key role in his recovery.
This initiative has become a “gift that keeps on giving,” strengthening individual identities, promoting mental resilience, and inspiring people to support local and national charities. For me, it’s a testament to the power of collective effort and what can happen when we empower others to be the best that they can be.
How would you improve the UK for everyone?
One key change I would make is to help individuals value their self-worth and recognise the opportunities available to them. This starts at the educational level by creating stronger links between schools, the economy, and local businesses – taking inspiration from European models like Austria, where 84% of apprenticeship completers are employed. (Source: CEDEFOP)
In practice, I’ve worked to bridge the gap between education and employers. As a governor at a secondary school, I partnered with local businesses to run programs introducing students to industries they’d never considered. I asked teachers to identify students who showed promise and wanted to progress. Then, I worked with employers to organise site tours and create connections between students’ interests and potential career paths.
This wasn’t just about job placements – it was about empowering young people to see their value and inspiring them to turn curiosity into passion. One of my proudest moments was helping students refine their CVs and secure apprenticeships. For many, it was their first step toward a meaningful career and a brighter future.
Improving the UK means giving everyone the tools and confidence to succeed. By fostering pride in personal growth and creating accessible pathways between education and employment, we can create a more inclusive and thriving society. Everyone has value; sometimes, they just need a chance to see it.
What is your biggest work lesson? And why?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of combining human dialogue with technology in training and development. While working as a Senior Account Manager at the Fire Service College, I saw how impactful it is to strike this balance. Before this role, much of my focus had been on educational technology – student portals, online platforms, elearning and course design. But at the Fire Service College, I learned how vital personal interaction is in ensuring real learning takes place.
I remember speaking with an instructor who explained how he assessed whether someone was competent. He said something that has stayed with me: “If my family’s house were on fire tomorrow, I’d only sign off someone I truly trusted to save them.” That perspective made me realise how training goes beyond tools and techniques – it’s about empowering people with the confidence and skills to make a real difference.
This experience taught me that while technology plays an important role in enabling scale and efficiency, it’s the human connection – teamwork, dialogue, and shared problem solving – that has the most lasting impact. It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since.
Can you share some key milestones or proudest moments in your career?
A highlight was a five-year program I worked on with a social value organisation. I collaborated with them to develop the training platform that underpins their operations. This organisation helps measure, report, and amplify their social value, empowering them to make a tangible difference.
Seeing the results has been incredibly rewarding – to date, their members and clients together have delivered £38 billion in social value. Being part of something that creates such a significant and measurable impact has been a truly fulfilling chapter in my career.
What is your most embarrassing moment at work?
One of my most embarrassing moments happened during a project for a luxury yacht manufacturer. I had been working on a digital transformation contract with them and was so proud of the work my team and I had done. When the London Boat Show came around, I decided to take my wife and young family along to see the results firsthand.
The operations director kindly gave us a VIP tour of one of the yachts, and I was explaining the work we’d done while navigating the crowds. At some point, I realised my five-year-old daughter had wandered off. Panic set in as I frantically searched for her, worried she might have gone somewhere off-limits. Eventually, I found her sitting on a sun lounger in one of the staged areas, as if she were modelling the yacht lifestyle.
It was both a relief and a moment that made me laugh in hindsight, but at the time, I was mortified. Losing your child on a luxury yacht in front of a key client isn’t exactly a proud parenting moment! Still, the client found the story endearing, and it’s one we chuckle about to this day.
What is the thing that brings you the most #workkjoy?
What brings me the most work joy is creating spaces where people can connect and collaborate. Through my work, I’ve often organised industry webinar user groups, bringing like-minded professionals together to share ideas and solve common challenges in a friendly, supportive environment.
I love seeing how empowering these sessions can be – whether it’s someone discovering a new idea or simply feeling less isolated in their work. My approach is simple: I encourage everyone to take away at least one thing they didn’t know before, and to do it with a smile.
For me, it’s about breaking down barriers, fostering connections, and making work just a little less serious. When people leave feeling inspired and supported, that’s when I feel the most accomplished.
What is one of your pet hates? Why?
I’d say acronym overload is a bit of a pet hate. We’ve all been in those meetings where someone is throwing out acronyms left, right, and centre, and you can see people quietly nodding along – but you just know a few of them are thinking, What does that even mean?
What I’ve realised is that breaking things down isn’t just helpful; it actually makes everyone feel included. It’s those small adjustments that create better conversations and outcomes. Plus, who really has time for decoding acronyms anyway?
Who or what inspires you to continue pushing the boundaries of ethical and impact driven business practices?
I’m constantly inspired by the people I meet who are deeply committed to making a difference. One encounter that stands out is with Geoff Thompson, the CEO of Youth Charter. Geoff’s a former five-time world karate champion who’s channelled his energy into delivering social and human initiatives, particularly around equality, diversity, and inclusion.
We met over pizza at an outlet mall – two neighbours from Kent chatting about how we could help young people in tough situations. Here’s this towering figure, both physically and in terms of achievements, talking so humbly and passionately about creating opportunities for others. That conversation stayed with me. It wasn’t just his vision for impact; it was his approach – so down-to-earth, relatable, and determined.
Moments like that remind me why I love what I do. They fuel my drive to keep pushing boundaries in ethical business, knowing that every step we take can contribute to a positive, sustainable future.
What is your favourite quote that you would like us to include? And please explain why.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
This quote really resonates with me because it’s the driving force behind my work. I’ve been in the training and learning industry for many years, and what fuels me is helping people grow and reach their full potential. It’s not just about making a sale or completing a task – it’s about understanding what drives the people I work with and helping them achieve their goals in a meaningful way.
When I talk to people about training or development, I come alive. And if I can help someone find a solution that helps them grow, that’s what makes the job worthwhile. It’s not always about success, but about making a genuine impact on someone’s journey. That’s the passion that keeps me going.
For me, this quote captures everything. It’s not about the work itself – it’s about loving the work so much that it doesn’t feel like work. And when you can bring that joy and passion to what you do, you break down barriers and create connections that lead to real change.
