Putting People First: Navigating AI and Digital Transformation with Pat Carvalho, CEO of BMet

🎧 Episode Title:
Putting People First: Navigating AI and Digital Transformation with Pat Carvalho, CEO of BMet

🎙️ Podcast:
AI Works Podcast Hosted by Richard Foster-Fletcher and Kurt Hintz

🔍 Episode Overview How can leaders strategically implement AI and digital transformation to genuinely enhance staff skills, boost productivity, and improve student outcomes? In this episode, Pat Carvalho, CEO of Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet), joins Richard and Kurt to explore how thoughtful leadership can navigate AI adoption while keeping people and culture at the forefront.

Pat discusses:

• The critical importance of embedding AI within strong organisational values and culture, ensuring technology enhances rather than erodes workplace culture.
• BMet’s practical approach to AI adoption, balancing structured frameworks with safe spaces for experimentation and innovation.
• Real-world examples of successfully implementing digital tools, including Copilot and Teachmatic, to enhance teaching practices and staff productivity.
• The strategic role of internal digital change-makers in inspiring and supporting staff through digital transformation.
• How BMet fosters a nurturing, supportive environment to manage resistance and encourage staff buy-in around new technologies.
• Pat’s vision for systematically using AI to improve essential college operations like policy management, quality assurance, and coaching for managers.
• Her thoughtful reflections on AI’s impact on job security, emphasising adaptation, skill enhancement, and the enduring importance of human relationships in education.

This episode offers meaningful guidance for any leader navigating complex technological changes, ensuring people remain at the heart of every decision.

🧭 What We Cover
✔️ How BMet is embedding AI tools thoughtfully into the organisation’s teaching and operational frameworks, maintaining strong alignment with core values.
✔️ The role of internal digital champions and dedicated staff marketplaces in successfully driving digital adoption and skills development.
✔️ Practical insights into using Copilot and other AI tools to reduce workload, increase productivity, and enhance staff wellbeing.
✔️ Strategies for addressing and managing resistance and uncertainty around AI within teams and maintaining clear communication on job security.
✔️ Pat’s vision for leveraging AI systematically in operational areas like policy management, quality assurance, and coaching for middle managers, boosting overall organisational effectiveness.
✔️ Navigating innovation strategically, deciding when and how to invest in emerging technologies, and ensuring sustainable benefits for the organisation.

👤 About Our Guest Pat Carvalho is the CEO of Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet). A thoughtful, compassionate, and strategic leader, Pat places people and organisational culture firmly at the heart of digital and technological transformation. With her practical and considered approach, she helps teams adopt new technologies confidently, fostering innovation while maintaining the organisation’s core values and strong community relationships.

🔗 Links & Mentions

• Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet): https://www.bmet.ac.uk
• Pat Carvalho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patcarvalho/ 
• Richard Foster-Fletcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardfosterfletcher
• Kurt Hintz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-hintz

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