From Payroll Desk to Podcast Mic: How Sam Williams Gives Carlisle a Voice

Every colleague has a story, some are told over a brew in the break room, some are quietly lived on a shift at the station, and some have never been heard at all. Samantha Williams (Sam) our Head of Payroll decided to bring a change. Today her idea has a name, a microphone and a home on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

This is the story of Carlisle Connect!

A Numbers Person With a People Heart

Sam is Payroll Manager at Carlisle, and she heads up one of the most critical functions in the business. Making sure colleagues are paid accurately and on time is a responsibility she carries with real pride. Yet when she talks about her career, it is not the spreadsheets that light her up.

She says, “Heading up one of the most critical functions of the business, Payroll, has always reinforced the importance of putting our people first. While ensuring colleagues are paid accurately and on time is a responsibility I take great pride in, one of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been witnessing the passion, resilience and dedication of the people who make Carlisle what it is today.”

In a business as big as ours, sometimes things get overshadowed and Sam just wanted to change that, “We are a big company, but sometimes people feel unseen. I wanted to create a space where we celebrate each other’s stories, challenges, and wins.” she adds.

Where Big Ideas Get Their Chance

Her idea found its stage at Challenge Innovation! It began in 2025 when Carlisle Support Services asked the floor (Carlisle colleagues) a simple question, what does true innovation look like, and followed it with a bolder one. What if you had £50,000 to bring your best idea to life?

By 2026, under the leadership of our CEO Paul Evans and COO Adrian White, Challenge Innovation the idea first inspired by Dragon’s Den had grown into a high-stakes business incubator for the whole Carlisle family. More than 25 pitches poured in from every corner of the business, from Merseyrail to the Southbank and from the payroll desk to the command room. Ideas took in drones, BLE beacons, hands free patrol systems, virtual reality, and podcasts. A panel of respected industry figures and Carlisle’s senior leaders weighed up everyone, and by March 2025 five finalists took to the stage at the Innovation Lab in London.

Sam’s company-wide podcast was among the winners. It has been built around employee stories, personal challenges, and wellbeing topics, with inclusion and belonging at its heart. Carlisle backed it with £5,000 and cross functional support, so the project could move into early development straight away. Sam was not the only one; Jeff Higham’s ‘I Am Protecting’ rail security system and Ruth Ripley’s WalkSafe mobile application initiative also won backing, a clear sign that great ideas can come from anywhere.

Backing People With More Than Words

For our COO, Adrian White, support has to be real to be believed.

“If we are doing something out-of-the-box, they are not going to do it if they don’t know there is a substantial amount of capital available,” Adrian explains. “Thinking big is the prerequisite for improving service. This is about moving straight to ‘Instant Action,’ providing the money to bring a practical solution to life, moving beyond mere dialogue.”

Alona Saskele, Head of Operational Support at Carlisle and a major driving force behind it. For her, the £50,000 investment is the ultimate validation of the experts on the ground, and the emotional return on trust.

She puts in perfectly, “It is amazing to see something I first saw as an idea submission document for our first-ever Challenge innovation become a reality. The great effort put in from across the business to help Sam bring her idea to life is truly inspiring, and the first episode truly reflects our core value of ‘Sector-based experts.’ Can’t wait to see what’s coming next! ”

Press Play on Carlisle Connect

It is a proud moment to see Sam’s idea come to life. After all the planning, encouragement and hard work behind the scenes, Carlisle Connect, our internal podcast is now finally ready to be listened. Our host Sam Williams sits down our head of IT, Joe Stone, Operations Manager (Cleaning), Joanne Macbeth, and Regional Contract Manager (Cleaning) Steward Smith to talk about their journeys from temporary and entry level roles to leadership positions within Carlisle.

In the very first episode, our colleagues speak about overcoming self-doubt, embracing new opportunities as they arise and the power of supportive colleagues and mentors. It is an inspiring listen for anyone ready to take that next step in their career.

In Sam’s Own Words

Sam tells, “Carlisle Connect is created from a desire to shine a spotlight on those individuals and their stories. Every colleague has a unique journey, valuable experiences and insights that can inspire others. Through open and honest conversations, this podcast provides a platform to celebrate achievements, share lessons learned and showcase the incredible talent that exists across our organisation.”

“My hope is that Carlisle Connect helps strengthen connections between teams, encourages collaboration, and gives listeners a deeper understanding of the people behind our success.”

“Above all, it is about creating a sense of community, recognising the contributions of our colleagues, and bringing our values to life through the voices of those who live them every day.” she adds.

Setting the Bar High

Sam’s story is one chapter in something bigger! Challenge Innovation is about people driven ideas that sprout from the ground to improve safety, efficiency, and the customer experience, and about a company that believes the people closest to the work are closest to the best solutions. As Adrian puts it, “This is about empowering people to think big, challenge norms, and lead from wherever they stand.”

At Carlisle, we listen to the voices that stand in the rain, the heat, and the pressure of the station. We are not here to simply observe the industry. Our leadership is driven by a legacy to leave support services in a far better place for the future, and we trust the experts on the ground, the people who hold the true power to move this entire industry forward.

Look Out for Challenge Innovation 2027

Momentum is building and many more ideas are still taking shape. Keep an eye out for Challenge Innovation 2027, the stage where the magic happens. Sam had an idea, a company that believed in her and the courage to press record.

The next success story could be yours!

Listen to Carlisle Connect now at on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.