From college jobs to Events Manager to L&D Director, fun & varied!
I’ve performed roles in HR, Business Development, Event Management and Contact Centre Sales. I’ve been a Team Leader, Coaching Manager, Sales Trainer, L&D Manager, Head of L&D and am now the Learning & Development Director! I never knew what I wanted to do as a career and after I left college fell into an HR admin position at Prudential, a company I stayed at for 16 years. My career spanned many roles including business development, marketing and finally event management for large scale organisation-wide conferences and televised events. After being made redundant and as I started a family, I joined a contact centre selling car insurance and after five months became a coach. A Team Leader position followed I and finally became a Coach Manager where I really found my passion for developing people. A few years later, after another redundancy, I took a leap into Learning & Development within Domestic & General. Transferable skills really are magic! A third redundancy and I haven’t looked back as I joined First Central! A new career road map in front of me and here I am now as the Learning & Development Director with a heap of experience I love to share and a continuing passion for developing people.
I plan and execute the organisation’s overall Learning & Development s
I lead the Learning & Development team across multiple disciplines with an endless passion for developing people in their chosen careers to support productivity, skills enhancement and encourage lifelong learning. Identifying new tools to enhance human capital capabilities across the organisation and introduce new programmes and experiential learning modules to support changing strategic objectives, anticipating future skills gaps. Owner of the Talent & Succession planning for senior leaders across the Group and personally offer hands on coaching, mentoring and guidance to leaders as a recognised subject matter expert.
People development and personal growth is at the heart of what we do a
People, People, People. They’re what make us who we are. We get things done around here, together! We have very clear goals as an organisation and everyone pulls in the same direction. Our Execs are approachable and always on hand for guidance. Ideas are welcomed and we never sit still, always wanting to be better and share in the success. Development programmes are designed to meet the needs of the business and we continually develop the talents and skills of our colleagues supporting their personal growth which creates an atmosphere of learning and knowledge sharing. And it’s fun here. People matter. Talk to anyone, I’m positive they’ll say the same.
Bring positive energy and a willingness to listen
Development never stops so own it; be the driver of your own skills development. Take time to build relationships and networks. Be brave to use your voice. No question is a stupid question so speak up if you need to ask or want to understand. Stay curious: everyone is human regardless of their level. People are always on hand to help so be confident to ask for it! Culture is key and great teams make great things happen!
My personal progression and all the projects I have been lucky to deli
Being part of a small team of three to organise a professional cycle road race over 10 days across the UK which was televised on Channel 4. Presenting to local district councils and agreeing road safety. Booking street entertainment, hospitality, the Queens Guards parading through Holborn and the Red Devils flying over Portsmouth are just a few of the super fun projects I’ve been involved in which were exciting and rewardingly exhausting! In recent years, influencing a change in company values and the introduction of a leadership development programme supporting all levels of leaders from aspiring right up to our very own Chiefs. And then there’s my team of credible experts who’ve risen to the challenge over the past few years to really push the boundaries of personal development and are now equipped with many qualifications to work one to one or with teams offering bespoke team building or psychometric personality feedback. Lastly, raising a family as a single mum and moving through the ranks to Director Level. This went hand in hand with feelings of imposter syndrome and was also an achievement of which I am proud.
