President-Elect 2023 - Meet the Candidates: Jimmy Petruzzi

I have authored several books and resource manuals, and in my work as a radio broadcaster over many years, I have researched topics and
background information for items to be featured on the programme plan.

I rehearse shows, write and sometimes memorise scripts, liaise with other members of the production and technical teams, introduce and host programmes, interview guests in the studio by telephone or on-location, meet with the production crew to assess or review a broadcast, and plan the next show.

In my lecturer role I plan delivery of schemes of work and lesson plans, and individual learning plans to support learner progress and timely achievement. I undertake ongoing high quality formative and summative assessment of learners' work, both in class and through regular out-of-class activity to monitor progress.

I initiate and respond to new curriculum developments and plan resources as appropriate. I reflect on my own practice, including teaching, learning and assessment, and review and implement ways in which the learning experience can be improved.

I complete and submit all paperwork relevant to the role in a timely manner, including exam entries and accredited achievements, and attend all meetings and appropriate staff and curriculum development activities as required.

I am a life-long learner of modalities, applying principles from the arts, martial arts, sport and business into my delivery.

I've been a world-renowned performance coach for over 20 years, working around the world with many top businesses, entrepreneurs, corporations, professional football teams and individuals at national and international level in the English premiership and worldwide.

I work with international and Olympic athletes, and top professional sports people, and as a consultant with sports organisations, businesses and associations, helping them achieve peak performance in all aspects of their lives.

Over the past 20 years, I have worked with thousands of people worldwide, and am a sought-after and highly regarded speaker for
conferences and seminars internationally.

I am from a ethnic minority and I'm passionate about promoting inclusivity and diversity.

I would like to promote a diverse representation of the society, in terms of age, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and national origin, which brings diverse viewpoints and perspectives.

Having an inclusive culture makes people feel valued and proud of their culture. Diversity in the workplace statistics show that having an inclusive culture and reflecting a variety of backgrounds and experiences encourages others to embrace non-discriminatory practices and policies.

All members feel included when they feel 'safe' to voice their concerns and opinions without fear of victimisation.

The freedom of expression without fear also empowers people to not just listen to but also actively embrace diverse viewpoints.

I truly want everyone to feel included, taking into account any barriers and preferences, and embracing different people from different backgrounds and generations, with sometimes vastly different perspectives.

Through my leadership commitment to inclusivity and diversity, I would work to achieve the following:

• Strengthening anti-discriminatory policies
• Eliminate bias in the evaluation process and promotion opportunities
• Segment employee engagement surveys by minority groups
• Use independent groups to conduct focus groups
• Acknowledge and honour multiple religious and cultural practices
• Introduce a policy for honouring a variety of cultural and religious practices
• Foster a company culture where every voice is welcome, heard, and respected
• Invite diversity of discussions

I would promote inclusivity and diversity by having a safe space for people to practice their beliefs, and would promote inclusion or cultural diversity by holding regular culture days to let the members of different communities have the opportunity to speak about their culture.

I would build a fairer and more inclusive environment regardless of our identity, background or circumstance.

We all deserve the opportunity to develop our skills and talents to our full potential, working in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, being
fairly rewarded and recognised for our work and having a meaningful voice on matters that affect us.

Inclusion is where people's differences are valued and used to enable everyone to thrive at work. An inclusive working environment is one in which everyone feels that they belong without having to conform, that their contribution matters and where they are able to perform to their full potential, no matter their background, identity or circumstances.

An inclusive workplace has fair policies and practices in place and enables a diverse range of people to work together effectively.

It's by recognising difference that we can acknowledge the benefit of having a range of perspectives in decision-making, and by ensuring the workforce is representative of the organisation's members.

Differences include visible and non-visible factors, for instance, personal characteristics such as background, culture, personality, work-style, accent, and language.

It's important to recognise that a 'one-size-fits all' approach to managing people does not achieve fairness and equality of opportunity for everyone.

People have different personal needs, values and beliefs. Good people management practice needs to be consistently fair but also flexible and inclusive to support both individual and business needs.

I advocate psychology for all, giving everyone a voice, and every member a voice, building a vibrant member collective from creative people from all walks of life who share a similar mindset – a passion for psychology.

We each share the same passion for connecting with likeminded members and growing relationships.

We invite members to our exclusive member events programme to join us through the power of talks, all designed to empower and inspire.

Our members are at the heart of everything we do. At our core we represent:

• British values
• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
• And primary ethical principles of respect, competence, responsibility, and integrity

I would involve the members in decision making about their area and the services within it, ensuring they are well networked and supportive, where members look out for each other, with community-centred approaches.

I'm a Committee member, Communications Officer, and Co-Chair Elect of the North West of England Branch, where I work to maintain a unique brand voice, developing and executing marketing and public relations campaigns and social media management, identifying target audiences and executing strategies to engage others.

Events play a huge part in the success of an organisation. I manage and plan the events Psychology in the City (for members only) and Psychology in the Community (open to nonmembers).

I organise the promotion, ensuring the target audience is engaged and the message of the event is marketed properly.

As a Committee Member and Communications Officer of the North West of England Branch, I organise events and edit the Branch bulletin.

When organising events I manage the whole process from the planning stage, right through to running the event and carrying out the post and increasing confidence amongst team members, including relaxation and anxiety management techniques.

Radio Broadcasting

• Working with Salford City Radio (August 2018 to present date) on research topics and background information for items to be featured on the programme, including planning and rehearsing shows, writing and sometimes memorising scripts, liaising with other members of the production
• and technical teams, and introducing/hosting programmes.
• Interviewing guests in the studio, by telephone or on location.
• 'Driving' the desk and operating some of the technical equipment for recording and playback, using computers to cue up and play music and jingles.
• Keeping the programme running to schedule, responding positively and quickly to problems or changes and improvising where necessary.

Working as a lecturer

• Planning and implementing an effective training curriculum.
• Preparing hard copy training materials such as module summaries, videos, and presentations.
• Developing monitoring systems to ensure that all employees are performing job responsibilities according to training.

The role is primarily hands-on and often involves working as part of a team. As the BPS North of England Bulletin editor, my responsibilities include assisting in producing the biannual bulletin, fact-checking writers' articles and optimising written pieces to increase user engagement.

I proofread, restructure and edit articles by content writers, including assisting in planning, coordinating, writing and editing content for the publication.

My other leadship and organisational experience comes from my work within sport coaching, radio broadcasting and working as a lecturer.

Sport Coaching

• Mental Skills Education Coordinator for Australasian Soccer Academy (February 2020 to present date).
• Bury 1st team Football Conditioning Coach (October 2005 to November 2006).
• Youth Team and School of Excellence Performance Director (July 2003 to 2006).
• Fitness trainer for Bury Football Club, Youth Team under 16s to under 19s. Duties include overseeing physical development of School of Excellence
• under 9s to 16s.
• Delivering Youth Football Scholar Education programme to football scholars, along with football fitness, and psychology knowledge.
• Designing and implementing strength training and conditioning programs in-season, off-season, and pre-season for all school-sanctioned male and female athletic programs in a manner that reflects research-driven practices and our country's Long-Term Athletic/Fitness Development Model.
• Working in cooperation with the sports medicine or athletic training staff in the rehabilitation and strengthening of injured athletes.
• Facilitating a collaborative relationship among sport coaches, sports medicine staff, and the strength and conditioning staff.
• Working with Borough Football Club (August 2018 to present date) by enhancing team spirit, building cohesion, establishing and honing team strategies, goals and tactics.

How long have you known the candidate?

Four years.

When have you worked with the candidate or come into contact with them?

I met Jim in November 2018, when he joined the North West of England Branch (NWB) committee as a current committee member running as Secretary.

I am a graduate member with a MSc Organisational Psychology (University of Manchester), in my 3rd year of my full-time PhD in Applied Psychology
at the University of Salford and lecture there part-time.

I have known Jim for four years. We then met during our monthly meetings and committee events, work well together and I consider Jim my friend.

I have worked with him, cohosting BPS NWB events (Psychology in the Community and City).

I wrote an article for the North of England Bulletin, which he co-edited. It was a positive experience as he motivated and encouraged me to improve
my writing.

He interviewed me on the radio to promote the university TEDx event. He is an incredible facilitator and was a highly enjoyable experience.

Why do you think the candidate would make a great President-Elect and President?

Jim would make a great President-Elect as he is a brilliant organiser.

Jim started taking over the organising of the Psychology in the Community and City events and managed to bring in exciting speakers and increase the community engagement.

Jim then took this further by being Communications Officer. He then took on the Co-Editorship of BPS North of England Bulletin, where he represented the NW, and his co-editor represented the North East.

He was always eager to step in and help with any activity and he is great at multi-tasking. Jim then stood for BPS NWB Chair Elect in 2021, where he co-chaired with Mia Pal.

Jim is one of the most optimistic, passionate, approachable, energetic, and collaborative people that I know.

He is a full-time lecturer, NLP trainer, author, high performance coach and radio broadcaster for Salford City Radio.

As a toastmaster, he is incredible speaker, and his talks/presentations/events are incredibly interesting, dynamic, and engaging.

He is such a positive team member and great leader as well. He will go out of his way to assist his friends and colleagues and he has so much wisdom and experience to share.

He has many creative ideas as well as the energy to carry them out.

I believe knowing Jim as well as I do that, he can take the society to a new level, bringing, ideas, approachability, communication, and transformational leadership into the BPS.

I believe that Jim is the perfect person to uplift the BPS and bring a return in engagement, collaboration, excitement and help with a new surge in membership!

How long have you known the candidate?

Three years.

When have you worked with the candidate or come into contact with them?

I've had the privilege of Co-Charing with Jimmy the NW Branch since 2020.

Why do you think the candidate would make a great President-Elect and President?

Jimmy is deeply aware of how important change is in the current social and psychological environment while at the same time he values members' voices as vital in helping the society reshaping its vision as a collective body representing the psychological profession.

Having worked with Jimmy for three years, I have witnessed his passion and commitment to acknowledge and address the challenges which confront our society and his focus on always improving our visibility both internally and outside our members networks.

I wholeheartedly believe Jimmy will make a great President-Elect as he cares passionately about the future of our society and he is committed to offering his time and energy in serving the society and its members.