What does it really take to make sure someone’s voice is heard?
In this episode of Inspiring Working Lives, Dan Taylor sits down with John Wheeler, CEO of Advocacy for All, for a conversation about leadership, but more importantly, people.
Jon talks through his journey in a very down-to-earth way — from growing up in the Cotswolds, to travelling, working in community roles, and slowly finding his way into advocacy and leadership without ever really having a straight plan. Along the way, he shares the moments that shaped him, the mistakes he’s learned from, and why curiosity has played such a big part in how he leads today.
They also get into what advocacy really means in practice — supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, navigating complex systems, and why listening properly is often harder (and more important) than it sounds.
At the heart of it, this is a conversation about trust, responsibility, and the idea that good leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about making space for other people’s voices.
Dan Taylor
Managing Director at Morgan Hunt
I am the Managing Director of Morgan Hunt and Pentagon Talent and have held this position since January 2017. Over that period, I have overseen a full-scale change programme that has led to a more defined offering to the businesses long standing clients, a full change of brand, a new CRM and several adoptions of new and innovative tech and the opening of a new business in Scotland. All this has contributed to returning this long-standing business to profit.
In 2023, Morgan Hunt was awarded the NORA award for best large recruitment business for Morgan Hunt’s online presence, The Financial Times listed Morgan Hunt as one of the top 30 British Recruitment Companies and The Recruiter Magazine will feature Morgan Hunt in their Fast 100 for 2023.
I have worked within staffing and recruitment for 28 years. I am a major supporter of APSCo, attending many events throughout the year. I am a firm advocate for greater professionalism within the recruitment industry.
Married with two daughters, outside work interests include playing the drums and supporting the Sussex Cricket Foundation by creating greater access to the sport of cricket within the City of Brighton and Hove.
Jon Wheeler
Chief Executive Officer at Advocacy for All
I am an experienced and pragmatic senior manager, passionately committed to promoting the rights, voices and choices of people who use health or social care services, those who face difficult issues and people with complex needs. I have an in-depth knowledge and wide range of experience in operational and staff management, strategic planning, quality assurance, risk management, business development, bid writing, presentations, recruitment and tender interviews.
I have 25 years’ experience in learning from and working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and client groups including people with a learning disability, mental health service users, people with dementia type illnesses, people with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, children and young people, youth justice and people in prisons and secure units.
