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How to Create Measurable L&D Impact at Scale with Gavin McQuillan
When Gavin McQuillan took charge of Learning & Development across a major British banking group, he faced the massive challenge of supporting over 60,000 colleagues in a highly complex financial environment. Moving away from a fragmented, federated model, he led a major structural transformation to create a unified, commercially aligned L&D team focused on driving tangible business outcomes.
Adam Lacey sits down with Gavin McQuillan, Head of Learning & Development at a major British bank, to explore how learning functions can eliminate "content chaos" and deliver measurable commercial value.
Gavin shares his unexpected transition from a 30-year career in banking operations into L&D, breaking down his strategy built on three foundational pillars: impact, quality, and less. He highlights how curating learning materials, leveraging AI for search and discovery, and focusing on high-value human interactions allowed his team to reduce friction across the workforce.
They also discuss the design and rollout of an award-winning digital performance management programme that saved business leaders over 250,000 hours, along with essential career advice for L&D professionals looking to build commercial acumen and navigate continuous organisational change.
What you'll learn in this episode
- How to transform a federated L&D model into a cohesive, commercially aligned team serving 60,000 learners
- Why grounding L&D strategy in three core words, Impact, Quality, and Less, slashes content fatigue and improves engagement
- How to curate learning libraries using AI search and discovery tools to eliminate content chaos
- Case study: Designing a digital performance management programme that returned 250,000+ hours to business leaders
- Why understanding business value drives workforce adoption for new AI and change initiatives
- Critical advice for L&D professionals: building commerciality, developing comfort with change, and prioritising leadership capability
We're always keen to hear what's resonating or what you're seeing in your world.
Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/
Brigid McCormack - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigidmccormack/
More from The Assembly & Assemble You
Learning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work, plus the AI Confidence Method, a workforce AI change programme that measures what your people really think about AI and then changes it. https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xWSkk0
Privacy & Data
This podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
What is The Assembly?
The Assembly: Where L&D Minds Assemble
The future of workplace learning doesn’t live in theory — it lives in lived experience, fresh research, and honest conversations.
That’s what The Assembly delivers.
Hosted by Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and digital learning veteran, and Brigid McCormack, a newcomer to the world of L&D, this is your go-to space for rich, real talk on what’s driving L&D forward.
In each episode, you’ll find:
Richer insights that go beyond surface-level tips to unpack what really works in learning today
Expert perspectives from leaders shaping the L&D landscape
Access to new research on tech, methods, and innovations defining tomorrow’s learning culture
Practical strategies you can use right now to build essential skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability
Whether you’re designing programs, shaping strategy, or driving culture change — if learning is your thing, this is your podcast.
Formally known as L&D Challenges.