Episode 8

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Published on:

29th Jan 2026

Ep 8 - Turning Redundancy into a New Beginning

with Alec Pearson, Lizzie Cousins and Chelsea Dickinson.

In this episode, Alec Pearson speaks to Lizzie Cousins and Chelsea Dickinson from C&D Debt Recovery to uncover how a moment that could have stopped their careers instead sparked a bold new chapter.

After finding themselves redundant, Lizzie and Chelsea took a leap many think about but few commit to — building a business of their own. What follows is a grounded conversation about resilience, partnership and the practical realities of starting again.

In this conversation we explore:

  1. How redundancy became the catalyst for launching C&D Debt Recovery
  2. The early decisions, preparation and homework that set them up for success
  3. Why communication and shared values are the backbone of their partnership
  4. The leadership qualities they lean on most — honesty, integrity and confidence
  5. The balance between working in the business and building on it
  6. Strategy, growth and the importance of taking steady, sustainable steps
  7. What they’ve learned — and what they want others to know before making the leap

Whether you're considering a business of your own, navigating uncertainty or simply curious about the realities behind a start-up story, this episode offers encouragement, insight and practical takeaways.

You can find out more about C&D Debt Recovery at: https://candddebtrecovery.co.uk/

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About the Podcast

Beyond Leading
Beyond Leading is the leadership podcast for senior leaders and those building towards it — honest conversations about the real psychological and human experience of leading at the top. Hosted by executive coach and Non Executive Director Alec Pearson.
Most leadership content gives you frameworks and five-step plans. Beyond Leading goes somewhere different.


This is the podcast for senior leaders and those building toward that level, people who already know that leadership is harder and more human than any framework prepares you for.


Hosted by executive coach and Non Executive Director Alec Pearson, with regular contributions from fellow coaches Tiffany Barnard and Nick Sellers, Beyond Leading goes inside the real human experience of senior leadership. The pressure. The identity questions. The decisions that don't have clean answers. What's really going on beneath the surface when things get hard.


The conversations draw on SME business owners, corporate leaders and coaches who've been in the seat, people who'll talk honestly about what senior leadership cost them, what they got wrong, and what they'd do differently. No frameworks sold. No glossy success stories. Just the conversation senior leaders actually need.


We don't claim to have all the answers. What we do is ask the questions worth reflecting on, and give you the space to work out what they mean in your world.


If you're a senior leader, or someone building toward that level, this is your podcast.


Subscribe and join the conversation.


🎙 Let's go beyond leading — and everything in between.

About your hosts

Alec Pearson

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I'm Alec Pearson, Non-Executive Director, Board Advisor and Executive Coach, with over 30 years' experience across professional services, law, technology, manufacturing, transport and founder-led SME's.

I work with boards and senior leaders when decisions feel heavier than they used to, complexity is rising, and clarity really matters. My approach combines independent board-level thinking with a coaching lens: pragmatic, people-aware, and straight-talking.

Beyond Leading is the podcast I wish had existed earlier in my career. It's the honest conversation about what senior leadership actually demands, the pressure, the identity questions, and everything in between.

Tiffany Barnard

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I spent over 25 years leading teams and running a business in Tanzania, and those experiences shaped how I see leadership today. Now, I coach leaders around the world to communicate with impact, build trust, and lead in a way that feels true to them. The best part of my work is watching that moment when they realise what’s possible — and step into it. You can find me on LinkedIn if you’d like to connect.

Nick Sellers

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Even leaders need a helping hand to achieve their potential. I bring decades of corporate experience and a keen interest in people to my coaching and mentoring activities. And I really like to help those who want to grow and develop.
For more information, you can find me on LinkedIn and schedule a quick call.