Mergers, mission and the power of saying no

When everything is changing, what keeps you moving in the right direction?

In this mini episode, Rachael Franklin, Chief Engagement Officer at Breast Cancer Now, sits down with Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai to share a candid look at her decade-long journey helping shape one of the UK’s leading charities, from navigating complex mergers to building a unified organisation with a clear mission.

She reflects on the realities behind large-scale change, including the challenges no one fully anticipates and the leadership mindset needed to keep moving forward. 

From influencing without authority to making tough prioritisation decisions, this episode offers practical insight into modern leadership.

Together, they cover:
- Introduction to Rachael Franklin and her journey
- Building strategy and influencing without authority
- Reaching a turning point after years of change
- The reality of mergers and why they take longer than expected
- Navigating complexity and organisational change
- Defining your North Star during times of change
- Strategy, long-term thinking and leading through uncertainty
- The challenge of prioritisation and what not to do
- Scaling impact and the role of digital transformation

Watch the full mini episode for a deeper dive into Rachael’s leadership journey and the future of Breast Cancer Now.

Subscribe to the podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78ASRJjPQjcijfeFxyiafX?si=41269ee0af1a468d
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-with-purpose/id1836126863
Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ad0874f0-68de-4c21-a3e2-e08dfe71597a/leaders-with-purpose

Connect with us: 
Rachael Franklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-franklin-65aa4220/
Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/
Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/
manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/