How do you build a fast-growing, distributed organisation that balances both freedom and consistency and avoids the pitfalls of old-school ‘command and control’ leadership? In this episode, Helen sits down with Amrit Singh, Chief Operating Officer at the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), to explore exactly what it takes to lead with trust, delegate decision-making and thrive during ambitious, high-speed growth.

Together, they unpack:

⭐️ How the NIoT designed a flexible, regional model with no central “mothership” to attract the best talent nationwide and serve customers better.

⭐️ The reality of merging four distinct organisational cultures whilst launching a startup.

⭐️ Practical strategies for balancing consistency and local autonomy.

⭐️ Why transitioning out of a ‘command and control’ mindset is vital for agility, speed, and well-being.

⭐️What “brilliant failure” looks like in action.

⭐️ Why NIoT is investing in line manager training BEFORE senior leadership programmes.

⭐️ Honest insights into avoiding burnout especially for managers.

Amrit shares candid stories from the NIoT’s whirlwind first years, highlighting what’s worked (and what’s still work-in-progress) in building a distributed, genuinely people-centered organisation from the ground up. You’ll hear actionable advice for any leader who wants to loosen the reins without losing direction and foster a workplace where everyone can flourish.

Tune in for a lively, practical conversation about intentional culture design, making tough choices, and building a culture of trust.

About Amrit Singh

Amrit moved to education in 2020 after a career in financial services, notably as Finance Director for a €500m revenue division at Deutsche Bank. As Chief Operating Officer at the National Institute of Teaching he oversees Professional Services at an organisation that came into being in May 2022 and has just been registered as a Higher Education Institute with the Office for Students. A transformationalist at heart he is enjoying his most fulfilling job in his career to date as the Institute moves from fast-paced startup mode into a maturing organisation.

A brummie by birth, Amrit has lived around the UK in Birmingham, Tunbridge Wells and Chester and had a short stint working in Mumbai, India before moving to a village in South Staffordshire with his young family and cavapoo called Hugo. In his spare time Amrit enjoys a wide range of music and continues a 20-year battle to learn the guitar with his two young daughters now helping him play.

Learn more about the National Institute of Teaching: www.niot.org.uk

Explore the National Institute of Teaching’s research: https://niot.org.uk/research-projects

Connect with Amrit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrit-singh/

Links:

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