When I began my professional journey, I didn’t have a clear career path in mind – I was young, eager to learn, and open to where life might take me. After leaving full-time education, I started my career in the security industry, taking on a vetting role that would shape the next six and a half years of my career. In that time, I navigated various positions and took two maternity leaves, all while building a strong foundation in HR, risk management, and professional services.
Support for shifting priorities
Everything changed when I became a parent. With two children under the age of two and a demanding management role, I found myself at a crossroads. I loved my work, but the long hours and high pressure no longer aligned with my personal values. I needed a role that offered both professional fulfilment and flexibility to be present for my family.
That’s when I discovered Grant Thornton. I was approached about a vetting role, and after researching the firm, I felt a strong connection to its values and culture. My interview confirmed it and left me with a fantastic first impression – this was a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where I could explore new opportunities and continue learning. I took a leap of faith, leaving a permanent role to join Grant Thornton on a six-month fixed-term contract as an administrator. Seven years later, I’m still here!
The firm’s approach to work is built on trust and accountability and has been a game-changer for me as a full-time working parent. Being empowered to manage my time and adjust my hours and work from home as well as the office means I can be present for important family moments, like sports day and school assemblies, without compromising on the high standards expected in my role. Of course, there are times when work comes first, whether that means longer days or stepping up for a critical deadline – but that’s part of the mutual commitment that makes the model work.
Growing beyond vetting
After joining the People Services Vetting team in June 2018, I quickly progressed to Team Leader. But after a decade in vetting, I felt ready for a new challenge. I wanted to stay within the firm but explore a different path, one that would allow me to apply my transferable skills in a fresh context.
That opportunity came in November 2021 when I joined the Agile Talent team. We’re strategic partners within the firm, helping to shape the future of flexible talent through the Agile Talent Community (ATC), a central hub for our independent consultants. We play an important role in helping teams to scale quickly during peak periods, or bring in niche expertise to support our clients.
After ten years in the specialised vetting field, transitioning into a completely new team was a big change. It felt quite daunting to suddenly not have all the answers, but I was fortunate to already have relationships with many of my new team as I’d worked with some closely in my previous role. And, possibly most importantly, I had an incredible people manager who empowered me, supported me, and led by example.
Building something new
When I joined Agile Talent, the team was still in its early days, so stepping into an operational lead role gave me a real opportunity to help shape what the ATC would become.
My role was varied, giving me opportunities to lead projects, work closely with different teams, and have a real impact on the user experience. But before any of that, what really mattered was getting the basics right: building trust with my people manager and colleagues. That trust gave me the space to take on different types of initiatives and drive meaningful contributions to the growth of the ATC.
This is why I’d say that my greatest achievement at Grant Thornton isn’t a title or a project – it’s my personal growth. The firm’s openness, trust, and coaching culture has supported me through various stages of my life and helped me grow both personally and professionally, feeling confident to take new opportunities.
To other people considering a career change or new opportunity, my advice is to approach it with an open mindset and be ready to embrace new opportunities. Reflect on what matters to you – what you’ve enjoyed in past roles, what your strengths are, your transferable skills – and look for roles that align with those values. Having a strong network can also make a big difference, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
