--- title: "Spark Generation Podcast, Series 1, Episode 2" date: 2020-09-16T09:40:00+01:00 author: Joanne Hennigan canonical_url: "https://kentplc.com/news-insights/spark-generation-podcast-episode-2" section: Blog --- 16 Sept 2020 Podcast # Spark Generation Podcast, Series 1, Episode 2 ![Website Spark Generation Kent 02]() ## From Kilkenny to Kathmandu: The life and times of a HR Director John Kavanagh, Group HR Director at Kentech, knows about company culture. Witnessing our business evolution over the last 36 years, he knows more than most about how we’ve shaped the culture that we hold dear today. One that he says carried us through 2020 and will accelerate us into the future. In this conversation Mandy Kennedy, Head of Learning and People Connections at Kentech, shares a conversation with John about why a combination of the Irish weather and a lost pair of wellington boots transformed his career path in a way he never expected, and his advice for the next generation entering the industry. **Welcome to Episode 2 of Spark Generation.** Share this story [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkentplc.com%2Fnews-insights%2Fspark-generation-podcast-episode-2) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://kentplc.com/news-insights/spark-generation-podcast-episode-2) [X](https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https://kentplc.com/news-insights/spark-generation-podcast-episode-2&text=Spark%20Generation%20Podcast,%20Series%201,%20Episode%202) Related Blogs ## You might also like [![John Gilley Building Culture Podcast Thumbnail 1]()](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/building-cultures-where-people-and-performance-thrive)Podcast [Building Cultures Where People and Performance Thrive ](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/building-cultures-where-people-and-performance-thrive)CEO John Gilley's discusses Kent's culture and his leadership philosophy on the Live Unbound podcast [Read article](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/building-cultures-where-people-and-performance-thrive) [![Energy Gang Podcast]()](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/energy-gang-podcast-john-gilley)Press Releases & Featured Stories [Energy Gang Podcast: CEO John Gilley talks about the future of the energy transition and data centres ](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/energy-gang-podcast-john-gilley)CEO John Gilley meets with Wood MacKenzie's Energy Gang Podcast at ADIPEC 2025 [Read article](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/energy-gang-podcast-john-gilley) [![Thumbnail0 1]()](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/engineering-a-sustainable-future)Podcast [Engineering a sustainable future - with purpose and principles ](https://kentplc.com/news-insights/engineering-a-sustainable-future)Emma Scott on how we are building a more responsible energy future - one grounded in honesty, action, and real-world impact. 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