It’s played an enormous role in my professional development – perhaps unsurprisingly, as I joined as a graduate and have now worked here for the best part of a decade! But it’s not just a case of time served. Through that entire period, I’ve been lucky enough to work with and learn from really smart, capable, interesting people – both colleagues and clients – and to do varied work that has been consistently challenging and intellectually engaging. Personally, it’s been hugely formative too – as well as a lot of fun.

What have you learnt working in a fast-growing business and the changes this brings?

In a smaller business, you can more clearly trace the connection between what you’re doing and the performance of the company. It breeds an added sense of investment – building longstanding client relationships or winning new business palpably helps the company to grow.

It’s also served as an object lesson in the importance of workplace culture. So much about the business has changed from when I was the sixth or seventh employee in the company, when it was barely a year old, to where we are today. A lot of work has gone into ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the expense of what made the business succeed in the first place – the people, the environment, and the quality of work.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I considered sports journalism but didn’t go much further than a couple of bylines in the Essex Chronicle and some partisan match reports for our football club’s programme. Then as a student binge-watching the likes of The Sopranos, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Wire and The Shield, I thought about TV writing.

I didn’t envisage myself working in communications – like many people, I knew almost nothing about it as a career. Nor would I have expected to focus on financial services, as someone whose academic interests were in political history. It’s been a happy accident to end up where I am!

What advice would you give someone who is looking to work at Hawthorn?

No matter which sector or communications discipline you focus on, it’s beneficial to have a well-rounded understanding of the wider news agenda, as well as both the media and political landscapes. I advocate carving out time every day to solely focus on reading the news from a range of sources that work for you. What we do can often be fast-moving and quite intensive, and you can be so wrapped up in the detail of what you’re working on, that it’s deceptively easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Tell us about your hobbies / how do you like to spend your free time?

I love playing football – I’m regularly corralling colleagues into signing up for our office 5-aside games – and am a big Arsenal fan. Sports aside, I enjoy watching films, reading modern history, playing chess, and doing pub quizzes.

Following my first interview for a role at Hawthorn I immediately had a strong sense of the passion and ambition the agency had and its future direction. It was clear Hawthorn already had a great sustainability offering, headed up by Jamie Plotnek, that I could support and help grow – an opportunity that was too good to pass up. During the interview process I was provided with a consistent view of Hawthorn’s culture: entrepreneurial, hard working and friendly. Over the past six months of working here I have found this to be extremely accurate!

How do you explain what you do to your family and friends?

I help companies and organisations communicate to the public, media and their investors their sustainability commitments and how they are achieving them. From tackling their greenhouse gas emissions to ensuring they are a fair and supportive place to work, every client is trying to manage their risks and communicate their opportunities – and I help them tell their story on how they are doing this with accuracy and confidence.

Tell us about your hobbies / how do you like to spend your free time?

Most of my time not in the office is split between being out in nature or in the kitchen. I love nothing more than exploring London’s best nature spots with my one-year old daughter and I am a proud member of the London Wildlife Trust. To unwind I try and cook new and exciting things regularly, which is hopefully encouraging my daughter to become a lifelong adventurous eater.

What career advice would you give to your younger self?

You have always been passionate about sustainability, from Geography being your favourite subject at school to studying it for your undergrad. Corporate sustainability will explode in importance and you should be confident to dive straight into a sustainability-related job out of uni. Ultimately, don’t be afraid to follow your passion and make a life-long career out of it.

How important is sustainable work to you? How would you define it?

Sustainability is hugely important and is central to all my work. Every organisation should think about how they should manage their long-term impacts, from how they support their customers to the companies they may consider acquiring. By taking a sustainability communications approach to all our work we can ensure companies accurately tell their value creation story and can maintain their licence to operate for the long-term.

I was drawn to Hawthorn because of the people stories on the website! Having others share their experiences gave me an insight into what the job consisted of. I enjoyed seeing the mix of different personalities and what they enjoyed about working at Hawthorn. It made me realise that it was somewhere I could see myself.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What I enjoy most about my role is the variety. I get to work with different clients at the same time, each with their own unique needs. The people I work with also varies from team to team, which means you gain from a lot of different experiences. This keeps things interesting and allows me to learn a lot quickly, even at a relatively junior level.

Tell us about your hobbies / how do you like to spend your free time?

I’ve just moved to London with three friends, so a lot of my free time goes into making our flat feel like home and exploring the area. Living in East London is great—we’re really enjoying all the fantastic food spots we’ve found. It’s been a lot of fun hunting for artwork and furniture!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

The best advice I’ve received recently is to get really good at remembering people’s names. The person who gave me the advice was told the same thing at the start of their career, with the somewhat harsher caveat that it’s just plain self-involved not to! I’ve always found it tricky to match faces with names, but I have made it my mission to improve. It has made for a lot less stressful situations and awkward moments.

Is there a specific experience or influential figure that sparked your passion for political advisory work? What made it stand out to you?

Before joining Hawthorn, I worked in Parliament. It was there that I realised how crucial public affairs are in shaping policies and ensuring that stakeholders have a voice during political decisions and legislation. I also saw the significant impact that quality political advisory can have on a business, which inspired me to pursue a career in the field.

I started at Hawthorn as a summer intern, fresh out of university, which was probably the steepest learning curve I’ve been on so far. It shouldn’t be underestimated how difficult it is to go from an academic setting to a professional one, learning how an office works and wrapping your head around day to day tasks that are second nature to everyone else but completely foreign to you! That being said, my experience as an intern was fascinating. I quickly learnt the ropes, and I was surrounded by supportive people who made the transition easier. I clearly enjoyed the challenge as over two years later, I’m still here!

When starting your career, I found it’s more important than ever to make sure you continue to find time to do the things that make you, you. At a time when everything in your life is changing, ensuring you keep doing the things that keep you grounded really helps to keep you on the right track. For me, it’s cooking and baking – often, the most relaxing part of my day is cooking something fun for supper or trying to bake a new creation at the weekend. When I was a student, I worked in an ice cream shop where one part of my job was decorating the ice cream cakes, and while I tend to stay clear of the ice cream part now, I still love decorating cakes for the birthdays of my friends and family.

The advice I would give to someone starting their first job is to just go for it! What’s made me enjoy my time at Hawthorn so much and helped me get the absolute most out of it, is just jumping right in, being enthusiastic and making sure to say yes to the opportunities that come your way. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given is that if you’re scared to do something, just do it scared (cheesy, I know, but it works!). Most of the time you find that things are rarely as daunting as they seem, and this attitude has helped me to really make the most of my time at Hawthorn so far and is definitely something I’ll try to keep doing throughout my career.

Describe Hawthorn in three words?
Fast-paced, interesting, and dynamic.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
The variety! One day I might be meeting with deeptech experts at a university to forge connections between them and my client, and the next, I’m scriptwriting, landing top-tier media coverage or project managing a campaign. There’s always something new to learn, which keeps things exciting.

What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learnt in your time so far at Hawthorn?
One of the most memorable experiences was a trip to a client’s data centre in Northern Sweden – very near the Arctic Circle. I was there to support some on-site filming, and getting to see the hardware up close as the team deployed the same type of GPUs that ChatGPT was trained on really brought AI to life. Another highlight was our recent summer social event, the Great London Bake Off. It was incredibly fun to see the team collaborate but get competitive over baking, even if I ended up ruining my top with some questionable green icing!

Tell us about your hobbies / how do you like to spend your free time?
I love being in London and making the most of the variety it offers — whether that’s dining out, going to the theatre, or attending gigs. On weekends, you’ll often find me at a pub with friends, playing a few card games or strolling around Hampstead Heath while listening to a podcast for some quiet time. I’m a reluctant exerciser, in contrast to most of the Hawthorn team, but I do try and get to the gym at least on a semi-regular basis – it’s good to clear my head and take some time for myself. A less frequent but favourite hobby of mine is scuba diving. I was out in Malta earlier this year for a wedding and snuck off for a morning to dive at Um El-Faroud, a giant tanker wreck that’s now an artificial reef and diving site – you can swim through the old kitchen and still see hobs on the stove which is a little eerie, but very cool to see.

What career advice would you give to your younger self?
Always ask the question, and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. As a curious but often reserved person, I had the tendency to sit back in team meetings and listen. While valuable, it took me a lot of time to build the confidence to also ask questions directly and challenge the conversation. I wish I’d started that sooner!

Is there a particular experience, piece of tech, or person that sparked your interest in working in technology? What did you find intriguing about it? 
I don’t come from a technical background, but I find translating complex concepts into relatable stories exciting. Beyond the acronyms and jargon, there are so many fascinating stories to tell. The fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of technology means there’s always something new to learn, so it’s certainly never boring!

Are there any pieces of tech, or aspects of technology that you’re especially curious to see how it will develop in the future? Why? 
As a tech enthusiast and optimist, I’m excited about how advancements in technology can impact our lives – from the impact of healthcare and the personalisation of medical treatments to the future of transport with developments in eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology, for example, offering a more connected world. These innovations have the potential to significantly impact our lives and the way we live them. I’m also intrigued by how technologies like AI, especially in cybersecurity, will develop. It quickens the pace of both attack and defence and at the end of it all, reputation is always on the line.

I found Hawthorn on my university careers page a few years ago, and two things really stood out at the time: the opportunity to experience different businesses and organisations at once, and the variety of the company team itself. I didn’t know the industry or what a typical day might be like, but I’d enjoyed working in a diverse, international cohort during my master’s course, and I was sold on the chance to work again with such a range of people and backgrounds. Since I joined in 2021, our team has grown and so has the variety of people to connect with and learn from.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The best thing about working in this industry is the easy access to interesting and entrepreneurial people. Regular face time with clients and journalists in different sectors has created so many unique opportunities to grill them on genuinely interesting topics – new applications for AI; cultural transformation in the Middle East; the mechanics of the energy transition. Being able to initiate and witness these sorts of casual interviews almost every day is a privilege, and I really like that conversations and connection are the real currency in our line of work.

At Hawthorn specifically, I appreciate the value that’s placed on autonomy. There’s naturally a big emphasis on collaboration – but equally, always room to think independently, take ownership of projects and push your own approach if it has merit. 

What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learnt in your time so far at Hawthorn?

One key lesson has been the importance of reflecting on success. I think others would likely agree that it’s easy to get caught up with the next ambition when something goes well, without considering what worked or just feeling good for a while about the result.

At Hawthorn, time is dedicated to talking in person about our achievements and sharing lessons and tips when things go well. Recognition is always gratifying after a challenging effort. I think the learning has been to allow some time for this part and not brush it off so quickly.

What’s been your proudest achievement at Hawthorn so far, and how did it come about?

I really enjoy helping clients promote work that challenges their industry status quo in some way. One example was supporting a university with the launch of a first-of-its-kind research programme, aiming to completely reinvigorate the traditional approach to domestic violence detection and prevention in the UK. It was a very important and, in some ways, complex piece of news to pitch to journalists, who we found were just as invested in the news and keen to do it justice in their coverage.

Are there any new skills you’re trying to learn?

As some will know very well, I’ve been studying a bit of Spanish since last summer, which has reminded me how humbling the learning process can be. One of our assignments was to spark a spontaneous conversation with staff at our local Zara about clothing sizes which still makes me cringe. But it’s helpful to practise with a few Spanish speakers in the office (thanks Zoe), and hopefully one day it all pays off.

There were numerous ‘jobs’ I wanted to pursue when I was younger, mostly to do with sports or being outside. Growing up in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but farms and fields, there was a point when I thought I would pursue a career in agriculture.

But, I’ve always had an interest in the news and current affairs and would always try and keep up with the news during secondary school, so always thought a career in journalism would fit the bill…

So, it seems quite natural that I find myself in public relations. It suits me in terms of my interests and provides the variation I realised I needed once I left university.

How does working in your first job feel? Has it met your expectations?

I left university in a bit of limbo where I fancied going travelling but we were still in the Covid-19 era where travelling was severely limited. So going into a full-time job wasn’t what I had originally anticipated.

I was quite naive about the workplace. It’s a whole new level of organisation and staying on top of a lot of moving parts. It doesn’t quite compare to writing a 16,000 word dissertation…I enjoy the flexibility of not having to attend the office five days a week and the ability to change your working environment so freely.

How have you overcome the challenges that you have faced in your role?

I’m quite good at putting things into perspective. If I have a bad day in the office or get irritated by something, I remind myself that I’m lucky to be in the position I am in and that this job is “PR, not ER”! You suddenly begin to realise you have to work with people you wouldn’t naturally choose to work with, and I think adjusting to this takes longer than you realise. I always believe it is important to remember though that the variation in who you work with is essential to building your experience and provides life lessons for future jobs.

What career advice would you give to your younger self?

Never doubt yourself! There have been too many occasions where I have been told by schoolteachers, sports coaches and even my own parents that I wouldn’t be able to achieve x, y, or z. Sometimes they are right, but if you believe you can achieve something, back yourself and pursue whatever you have set out to do!

As an avid traveller, I knew I wanted to use the time off to get away. Unfortunately, my sabbatical year landed in 2020 when, as we all know, travel was somewhat non-existent. Hawthorn kindly allowed me to push it into 2021. Although my original plans of travelling across America for a month were curtailed by the still-in-place US border restrictions, I was lucky enough to spend time in Mauritius and Seville. I also went with a friend to a retreat in the UK, where we practiced yoga, had lots of fresh air, and created some (questionable) pottery.

Overall, the sabbatical was a brilliant opportunity to take a month to have some adventures, explore, rest, play, and reconnect. The kind of work we do and the nature of the 24/7 news cycle means we work at an incredibly fast pace. This excitement is part of what I love about the job, but on the flip side, it can be pretty hard to fully switch off. After a month away, I came back feeling energized, inspired, and ready to take on the world!

What makes working at Hawthorn unique? How have you managed the continual change that you’ve experienced being part of a fast-growing business?
I joined Hawthorn back in 2015 as an intern fresh out of uni. At the time, there were eight or so staff members, all working in a tiny room with a single conference call line and a meeting room that we shared with another company (occasionally leading to awkward moments as a result). It was hard work, scrappy, and a lot of fun. Fast-forward to today and Hawthorn has nearly 10x the number of people working here and is one of the most exciting consultancies in London, working with some vast and industry-defining clients.

We’ve certainly been through some fundamental shifts through that time, and I’ve learned a lot about the nuts and bolts of being part of a fast-growing business – something I’ve drawn on when working with entrepreneurs and business leaders. It hasn’t always been easy, but ultimately, navigating the difficult moments is where I’ve learned the most, and I’d much rather be challenged than bored.

As the business has evolved, it’s been essential to maintain a “go with the flow” attitude, embracing the opportunities that come from constant change and not being too precious to pitch in wherever needed. At the same time, you must stay true to the values and core beliefs that define a company. In Hawthorn’s case, these are ambition, an entrepreneurial spirit, intellectual curiosity, and a focus on impact over process – all of which hold as true today as they did in 2015.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to work at Hawthorn?
Enjoy the opportunity to learn about some diverse sectors and issues (I’ve worked on everything from cosmetic surgery to private equity to luxury fashion) and ask as many questions as possible. Working in strategic communications, we have the opportunity to see behind the curtain at the highest levels of a business, and we get to know about the stories defining the news agenda before they break – something which is appealing to anyone with a sense of curiosity about the way the world works.

Don’t forget to have a sense of humour! Our work is strategic, fast-paced, and frequently has far-reaching impacts, but the nature of communications means there are often some very funny moments along the way. Be passionate about the work you do, but don’t take yourself too seriously – have fun with it!

What has been your most memorable experience with Hawthorn?
I’ve had the opportunity to travel widely with Hawthorn: to South East Asia, the U.S., the Middle East, Africa, and across Europe. Those trips are always special and a real opportunity to learn, particularly when you’re working with local teams from very different cultures.

I’m also hugely proud of some high-impact projects we’ve done that have contributed to tackling the gender imbalance in UK entrepreneurship. I’m hugely passionate about gender equality, and it’s been brilliant to play a small role in supporting more women to start and scale businesses. 

I’m fascinated by the link between reputation and a company or individual’s success, and the impactful role communication plays. From my early interactions with Hawthorn, I got the impression that this is very much within the company’s sweet spot, and I was instantly drawn to it. I was (and still am) impressed by our people and the opportunity to learn from them all.

Here at Hawthorn, we don’t only have people who have been part of the communications industry for most of their careers, but also people who have crossed over from other professions. These include former journalists (print, broadcast, and radio), bankers, barristers, as well as those who have worked in UK Parliament. Why would I miss an opportunity to work with such a diverse and talented pool?

What makes working at Hawthorn unique?
There are two things that really stand out for me. One is the approach we take to addressing our clients’ needs i.e., we refrain from jumping in with recommendations but thoroughly assess scenarios before advising our clients. Second, is the encouragement to build our own networks. On a personal level, working at Hawthorn has pushed my boundaries, presenting new opportunities for me to grow both in my role and as a human.

Describe Hawthorn in three words?
Energetic, hard-working, and inspiring.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
This is something a woman I admire very much said to me a little over a year ago. She said “Don’t look at being from another country as a negative, or a flaw. You have what most of us don’t: experience working in different markets, with people of different cultures.”

This advice gave me hope and strength.

Are there any quotes you live and work by?
“You don’t need more time; you need more focus.
Fewer projects. Fewer commitments. Fewer obligations. Fewer responsibilities.
Carefully choose what you commit to, then go all in.“
— Shane Parrish, curator for the popular Farnam Street Blog

What advice would you give to someone looking to work in another country?
Don’t be afraid to respectfully point out the parts of conversations you don’t understand because of cultural differences. Believe me, your colleagues will appreciate the reminder and take you along. It’s also important to keep an open mind and value the local culture.

Coming from journalism, I was drawn to communications as a way of helping businesses cut through the weeds of business as usual and corporate jargon. Good communications uncover what the engaging stories are that will get people behind a vision.

How would you describe Hawthorn in three words?

Scrupulous, enterprising, bold.

How do you explain what you do to your family and friends?

It’s a constant work in progress, and things can get thrown out of sync by a client crisis, but having a partner and colleagues who are supportive, and understanding is a big help.

My friends, family and (often clients) think my job is about making sure a business is featured in the Financial Times, or a CEO is interviewed on the BBC Today Programme. But really, it’s about ensuring that our client’s message is heard by the people who need to hear it in a way that supports their business objectives. To do this I help clients communicate who they are and why they’re doing what they’re doing in an authentic way.

Why is mentoring important to you?

I owe a lot to my mentors – I’m still in regular contact with my school philosophy teacher, who introduced me to the ideas and theories I went on to study in my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

I’ve found that the act of mentoring, where experienced individuals guide and support others in their journey, is a powerful tool for inclusion and equity. In my career, the knowledge, skills, and wisdom that my mentors have bestowed on me, using their experience to help me fulfil my potential, has been invaluable. My mentors have not only helped me to navigate challenges, but they’ve also inspired me to reach new heights.

Tell a bit about your role as a mentor?

After experiencing the positive impact of my own mentors, I’ve always had a strong desire to pay it forward and assist others. This is especially relevant within our industry and the broader professional services sector, which can often seem inaccessible due to the variable and elusive nature of our day-to-day work.

After experiencing the positive impact of my own mentors, I’ve always had a strong desire to pay it forward and assist others.

Hawthorn provided me with the opportunity to become a mentor through its partnership with Career Ready, a charity our company collaborates with to offer career skills, training, and guidance to local sixth formers. The dynamic, startup-like atmosphere at Hawthorn enables us to seize opportunities to genuinely assist charities and clients in need of immediate support during critical times. For instance, I personally brought my 17-year-old mentee into our workplace, offering her invaluable exposure to the office environment and introducing her to my colleagues’ networks—an experience I hope will open doors for her as she explores her career prospects.

As a mentor, I find great fulfilment in actively contributing to the growth and success of others, witnessing their progress and accomplishments. Sharing knowledge and guiding mentees not only enhances their skills but also reinforces my own expertise. While I hope that my mentee has gained fresh insights and perspectives from my guidance, I have also experienced significant personal and professional growth through the process of mentoring her.

The initial months of the pandemic come to mind. I’d been at Hawthorn less than a year and there was a ton of positive momentum. Then overnight, everything was up in the air. As a Senior Director, people look to you in times of uncertainty for your experience. But at the start of the pandemic, we were all in the same boat. As a leadership team, we tried lots of things that were unfamiliar. Some worked, lots failed. We regrouped, tried things differently, made some progress, took some steps back. It was exhausting. But when things clicked, it was exciting. I remember a client signing off on a new scope a few weeks into lockdown, at a time when everything was up and in the air and we thought nobody was going to put pen to paper on new projects. It was great to get validation that we were doing things right!

What advice would you give someone who is looking to work at Hawthorn?

Jump in with both feet. For someone in the early stages of their career, there are incredible opportunities to learn and try out new things. For more senior folk, the learning never stops! This and access to a network that’s second to none, are part of what makes Hawthorn great.

How do you balance the sometimes 24/7 nature of working in public relations and the 24/7 reality of being a father of two children?

It’s a constant work in progress, and things can get thrown out of sync by a client crisis, but having a partner and colleagues who are supportive, and understanding is a big help.

While there’s always flex in the working day, anything outside is usually set in stone at least a month out. This means I’ve missed my share of post work pints but am yet to be fined for not picking my kids up on time (yes, they really do fine you!).

How has a growing family impacted your philosophy, approach, and view of work?

Having a growing family has shown me the importance of trust. Early on in my career, and really right up until the time my first son was born, I was often the first one in and the last one out of the office. I remember calling a client on the morning my son was scheduled to be born to check in on a project. Being a mother of two herself, she told me to hang up and go and look after my wife!

Getting back into work once your life has changed so seismically is a challenge, and for a while I defaulted back to working all hours, trying to adjust to my ‘new job’ as a dad and keep all the plates spinning professionally. All that happened is I became miserable and sick.

One day I decided that I couldn’t be the person who was always in the office all the time, nor did I need to be! I’d built a stellar team who got on with things and who I could trust. What I needed to focus my energy on was giving them direction and being the best version of myself when I was with them. Once I accepted that, things fell into place. Trust in the people you work with is absolutely key.

What career advice would you give to your younger self?

Keep making those connections. I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths professionally with some exceptional people in my career who have gone on to achieve amazing things in media, business, and politics. The concept of making connections and ‘who you know’ were alien to me early on in my career, but as I got more senior, I’ve seen the value of them. There are definitely more than a handful of people I wish I’d worked a bit harder at keeping in touch with.

What makes working at Hawthorn unique?

Despite the huge changes that the organisation has undergone, Hawthorn has maintained some of the qualities that I enjoyed when I first joined. No matter what level, from intern to CEO, everyone is encouraged to be creative and contribute their ideas and perspectives. Influencing the strategy and building relationships with clients, journalists or other stakeholders isn’t reserved for the most senior team members – Hawthorn encourages everyone to develop connections and take ownership of tasks and responsibilities.

What has been your most memorable experience with Hawthorn?

I’ve been lucky enough to travel with clients. These obviously stand out as great memories with Hawthorn, whether it’s Didcot or Sao Paolo. My first experience was as an analyst, and I travelled solo to Zambia to see a client. It was daunting but shows how younger people in the organisation are trusted and empowered to be independent and own client relationships.

Another, more recent highlight was visiting our client, Suzano, in Brazil last year. Visiting their offices, factories and farms, and spending time with the communications team and members of the executive committee, including the CEO, really helped us get under the skin of the company and better understand its people and culture. As we started working with Suzano during lockdown, separated by a global quarantine and thousands of miles, building that client relationship in person was invaluable.

Tell us about your hobbies / how do you like to spend your free time?

I love making the most of everything that makes London special. Discovering new restaurants, going to gigs, sitting in pub gardens, visiting markets and parks. When I need to clear my head, I’m doing anything active and outdoorsy whether that’s running, hiking, playing netball and cycling (which came in handy during our Hawthorn team cycle from Pisa to Rome last year).

Why did you decide to become a mental health first aider in the workplace? Why is it important?

Many of us spend more time with our colleagues than our friends and family. Yet talking about our health is still often a taboo. This goes for our physical health, but especially for our mental health. If someone is physically ill it’s generally easy to see what’s wrong, but it isn’t so easy for mental health and many people don’t feel able to speak up when they are struggling.

Our industry is dynamic and fast paced and that’s what attracts many to the sector, but it can also be demanding and comes with its fair share of pressure. Understanding this from first-hand experience is what inspired me to become a Mental Health First Aider and volunteer myself, as a first port of call for anyone who wants to talk about any issues however large or small.

What have you learned about yourself?

Being a mental health First Aider doesn’t mean I’ve always found having challenging conversations easy. Like many people, I felt unsure how to approach a friend, family member or colleague who didn’t seem themselves or was going through a tough time. One of the reasons I wanted to become a Mental Health First Aider was to learn how to approach topics that felt outside my comfort zone.

I now feel much more confident simply asking someone how they are, and I understand that it can be ok to probe. It’s been so valuable, and I don’t just use this in my official role as a Mental Health First Aider, but in everyday situations with my friends and family.

My role is unique at Hawthorn because I’m in charge of operations in the UK and overseas. I enjoy the challenge of helping the business make the transition from a start-up to an SME operating internationally. This spans everything from ensuring the right employee support structures are in place, establishing our brand overseas, putting in place the right infrastructure to deliver our vision, ensuring it is sustainable and remaining true to our core values. This is an ongoing and exciting challenge and I’m continuously learning.  

What advice would you give someone looking to work at Hawthorn?

I’ve been really struck by how entrepreneurial Hawthorn is. It’s key to our success and is very empowering.

I think anyone looking to join us needs to be confident in their abilities to plough their own furrow and build their own niche. It requires quite a bit of mettle, however once it’s done, there’s no limit to what you can achieve in Hawthorn.

What are the unique strengths you believe you bring to the workplace as a female leader?

My skills of strategic and empathetic leadership and of highly effective industriousness have all contributed to my professional success. As a female leader, I hope to model the rewards which balancing a successful career with bringing up a family can bring.  My children and family are exceptionally important to me. At times keeping everything going smoothly can be challenging, particularly if you are the primary carer holding a senior professional position. However, the sense of fulfilment, both on a personal level, and as a role-model and mentor, is immense.

Who has inspired you the most throughout your career? What have they taught you?

I’ve been inspired by many women and men throughout my career, but one person that stands out is Lord Deighton. His successful career has spanned the commercial and public service worlds, serving at one point as Chief Executive of the 2012 London Olympics. I worked with him closely in my previous role as Chief Operating Officer of King’s College Wimbledon, running the UK schools and setting up schools round the world. His leadership style really impressed me. He was a hands-off leader who set very high standards which you felt inspired to meet – at the same time providing clear direction and tremendous support and counsel. He empowered me as a female leader and gave me confidence to achieve more than I could have imagined. Two invaluable lessons I learnt from him were to listen carefully, and to be on top of your brief.

Are there any quotes you live and work by?

My personal philosophy has three tenets: work hard, support others and lead by example.  

What are your hobbies, and how do you spend your free time?

Walking the dog- and with my family, travelling, when time allows! I am Maltese so always find myself heading back to the Mediterranean. I’m really interested in current affairs, so I spend a lot of my free time reading about and listening to podcasts on the latest developments in business, society, and politics. I also enjoy swimming, reading fiction and watching as many films as I can.

I moved to London eight years ago from Mumbai, not quite knowing whether it was going to be a summer fling or a life-long love affair. I was told London would be a hard place to find work, but I’m a bit of a hustler and applied for around 50 jobs in my first three weeks. As luck would have it – and I believe luck has a role to play – I ended up with an interview at Centaur Media and landed my first job.

Workwise, I fitted in from day one. But the work itself is never the hard part when you move to a different part of the world, it’s getting used to all the fluffy human stuff that takes time, effort, thought, and (in my case) a therapist.

When you first arrive in a culture it’s very tempting to change so you can fit in better.

Salonee Gadgil Director, Head of Digital

What advice would you give to someone looking to move to work in another country?

When you first arrive in a culture it’s very tempting to change so you can fit in better. It’s a bit like going back to middle school where you feel like you must dress, sound, act, eat like those around you. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with trying to embrace the new culture you have chosen to move to, but don’t lose all of yourself in the process. Your background and the fact you come with a different cultural perspective is an asset to your new workplace.

What drew you to working at Hawthorn?

Intrigue. Hawthorn is a quirky place, and I mean this as a compliment. Early in the interview process, it became apparent to me that it is full of very intelligent people with strange niche interests, colorful backgrounds, and atypical career paths. I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in, and exactly how my role would evolve, but I knew for sure it wouldn’t be boring.

How do you explain what you do to your family and friends?

The honest answer is I don’t try too hard to explain what I do. Most of my family and friends think I’m a writer, which is true; and that I write for corporates and brands, which is also true. But they think I am only a writer, which is not true. I started my career as a copywriter and then worked in journalism before I moved to communications, so words are at the center of my craft and where I get a lot of my creative satisfaction from. In a funny kind of way, I am attached to being defined as ‘a writer’, and a little make-belief never hurt anyone.

For the first three decades of my career, I worked for one bank. Although I had a fantastic time there, doing many different things in multiple jobs, I always wondered if I could succeed doing something completely different elsewhere. Banking is, quite rightly, a heavily regulated industry, but I wanted something a little more creative and fast-flowing, where I could have a more immediate impact. Having really enjoyed leadership and communications-type roles, somehow, I beat a path to Hawthorn’s door.

Starting afresh has been a complete re-boot – I’m challenged daily, learn from much younger colleagues with completely new skills to me, and as we build the business, I find myself getting to grips with a much more entrepreneurial approach. I also help and advise wonderful clients in a wide range of industries and have had some incredible experiences along the way, whether that be visiting the world’s largest eucalyptus farm in Brazil, witnessing 3D nano printing at Nottingham University or discussing the merits of wild swimming with a renowned neurosurgeon while sitting in a freezing stream in the Cairngorms. Moving from a large multinational of over 80,000 people to a fast-growing business with less than 80 people has been the most reinvigorating thing I’ve done in my career.

I knew I wanted to join within about ten seconds of arriving for my interview.

Steve Atkinson Partner

What drew you to Hawthorn?

I knew I wanted to join within about ten seconds of arriving for my interview. A younger member of the team teased me for wearing a suit and tie, and I liked the fact that we’re not too deferential or hierarchical and that everyone can voice their opinion.

We’re also extremely well connected and have a host of people with different backgrounds and experiences. If I want an insightful opinion on Scottish devolution, or someone fluent in Mandarin, or access to a leader in a particular academic or business field, chances are that we can do that. Someone described us as both book-smart and street-smart, and that’s not too far from the truth.

As someone over 50, I’m now more interested in doing work that keeps me relevant and creative. Hawthorn is a young, vibrant, and outgoing place and offers plenty of opportunities to do this.

What advice would you give someone contemplating a career change?

You regret the things you don’t do, not the things you do. In hindsight, I should have moved earlier and taken more of a risk. I was jaded, cynical, and faking it more than I wanted to – if this resonates, it’s probably time for a change.

Carving out the time and energy to decide what to do next is never easy but talk to as many people as possible and make sure you leave each meeting with two new contacts. It was my network, not headhunters, which led me to my new career.

What career advice would you give your younger self?

It takes time to hit your stride. I started out following a traditional banking ‘left brain’ path of science, economics, and numbers, yet ended up spending the best parts of my career using more of the ‘right side’ of my brain, reading, writing, and speaking for a living. I didn’t see that coming at all, and becoming a Partner in a communications consultancy certainly wasn’t in my life plan! So don’t stress too much in your early 20s – it doesn’t matter if you don’t get it right immediately after school or university. Use this time to explore, learn and understand who you really are and what you enjoy. I only really discovered I loved leading people and teams in my late 20s and early 30s. I also found my love for reading and words around then as well, having not enjoyed it at school at all.

You have more time than you think – especially as careers are going to last 50 years or more, and jobs you’ll do later in your career may not even exist yet. Do as many different things as you can to gain experience, understand what motivates you and what lights your fire. Ultimately, doing what you enjoy will lead to success and fulfilment.

If you’d told me two years ago, I’d be joining a communications consultancy I would have laughed at you and said no chance! But 18 months ago, I quit my job, because it was no longer right for me. I was burnt out and something needed to change.

Shortly afterwards, I was contacted by an old colleague (and friend) who had recently taken the step from the corporate world to a communications consultancy and was loving it. He thought I would too, would add value to the business and so introduced me to the CEO. I got offered this exciting (and scary) opportunity to do something really quite different and help build out a new part of the business at Hawthorn based on my expertise. I thought I should give it a go.

I quickly discovered I’d joined an impressive, dynamic, entrepreneurial, and fun company with a truly positive culture that focuses on empowerment, creativity, collaboration, big ideas, and fun (again!).

I’m a big believer in personal growth – we should never stop learning (and unlearning) – it’s what keeps things interesting and provides new opportunities.

Sarah-Jane Wakefield Senior Director, Head of Employee Communication and Engagement

What do you love most about your job?

It’s a cliché – but for me it’s the people. I work with or interact with everyone at Hawthorn during the week. We’re a diligent, supportive, collaborative bunch and I never stop being amazed by their creativity and ideas. I also love the empowerment and trust you are given and the real variety – no client is the same and no one day is the same.

How is wellbeing supported at Hawthorn?

I come from a generation where wellbeing wasn’t something that was talked about in the workplace (or really anywhere). However, due to my own personal experiences with burnout, mental health, and now the menopause, wellbeing at work really matters to me.

It’s also important that it matters to my employer. Here at Hawthorn, it really does. I’ve been given the support and a platform to help drive and shape the change I want to see as part of our ongoing review of the support we provide to our people.

I’ve become a Mental Health First Aider, Menopause Champion and have collaborated with the senior leaders to introduce wide-ranging support for the key moments or unexpected challenges in people’s lives covering physical, social, mental, and financial wellbeing.

Are there any new skills you’re trying to learn?

I’m a big believer in personal growth – we should never stop learning (and unlearning) – it’s what keeps things interesting and provides new opportunities. It’s also become clear that the jobs we’ll all be doing in the future don’t even exist yet.

Currently, I’m exploring Artificial Intelligence’s impact on our profession and increasing my understanding of neurodiversity to support colleagues effectively.

What career advice would you give to your younger self?

There’s lots, but a few things stand out:

• Be brave, curious and seize unexpected opportunities for growth.
• Embrace challenges, step out of your comfort zone, and keep learning to experience new things.
• Embrace change for career-building opportunities and unexpected outcomes.