Ardent Talks

Leading the Way: An International Women’s Day Special

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

In this special International Women’s Day episode, we bring together senior leaders Helen Boyle (Head of Utilities), Kate Ramscar (Head of People & Culture), Viki James (Managing Director of Consents Management) and Gillian Lang (Head of Scotland) for an open panel discussion on women in leadership.

The conversation explores representation in traditionally male-dominated industries, the importance of allyship in the workplace, and how leaders navigate challenges such as imposter syndrome. The panel also reflects on building confidence, supporting career progression and creating inclusive environments where every voice is heard.

Together, they share honest insights on how organisations can drive equality through culture, opportunity and leadership.

Consents Management: Lessons from the Front Line

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Join us for the latest episode of Ardent Talks, hosted by Pascal Talbot, Assistant Project Manager, with guests Dr. Jim Doyle and Matthew Anderson from the Consents Management team. They share their career journeys, surprising aspects of the consenting process, the importance of communication, and how teamwork, adaptability, and asking the right questions are key to success. The conversation highlights the challenges, proudest moments, and the growing opportunities in consent management across sectors such as carbon capture, hydrogen, and renewable energy.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communications: Evolving to Meet the Moment

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Join us for the latest episode of Ardent Talks, featuring Robbie Laird, Director of Stakeholder Engagement & Communications, and Tom Hacker, Head of Stakeholder Engagement & Communications. This episode delves into how our work has grown from traditional planning support into a more strategic, people-focused service, now reflected in our name: Stakeholder Engagement & Communications.

Ep2: Ardent at 200: A Journey of Growth, People, and Culture

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Join us for a special episode of Ardent Talks, hosted by Jon Stott, Group Managing Director, with guests Richard Caten, CEO, and Kate Ramscar, Head of People & Culture. This episode marks a major milestone as we welcome the 200th member of our team. We reflect on Ardent’s journey so far, celebrate the people who have shaped our success and explore the vital role of People & Culture in driving our future.

EP1: Celebrating 100 DCOs: Looking Back on the Evolution of the DCO Regime Since 2008

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In this special episode hosted by Jon Stott, Group Managing Director at Ardent, we celebrate Ardent's journey to 100 Development Consent Orders (DCOs), reflecting on the evolution of the DCO regime since its introduction in 2008. Jon is joined by Ardent experts; Viki James (Managing Director of Consents Management), Tom Hacker (Head of Planning and Engagement) and Peter Gibbard (Head of Strategic Growth and Renewables). The discussion covers key changes in regulatory practices and consent management, the significant growing importance of stakeholder engagement, and the unique challenges faced in the booming renewable energy sector. As the DCO process continues to adapt, our experts share insights on best practices, sector trends, and the role of innovative technology in driving meaningful community engagement and regulatory efficiency for major infrastructure projects across the UK.