Where Personal Growth Aligns With Organisational Change

When Strata Solicitors was acquired by Gallagher Bassett in 2017, the business entered a period of growth and transition. Looking back, that moment also marked a turning point in my own career as my role, responsibilities, and perspective expanded alongside the organisation.
At the time, I was working as Office and HR Manager. HR has always been a passion of mine, as it provides a strong foundation in people management, communication, and culture. Those early years shaped how I approach leadership today and reinforced the importance of strong support structures within a business.

As Strata evolved within the wider Gallagher Bassett organisation, the needs of the business began to change. Expansion brought greater scale and complexity, along with an increased need for strong central support. I was offered the opportunity to step into a Business Manager role, leading two support teams, which felt closely aligned to the direction the business itself was heading.
Today, I manage two teams: an Administration team that supports all areas of the business, and a Claims Administration team that supports Strata's Recovery teams.

My focus is on ensuring that the central support structure of the business is strong, so every department can perform its best. A key part of this is creating an environment where people feel supported, safe, and valued.

My role sits at the centre of the business, requiring close collaboration with Managers across Strata and teams from Gallagher Bassett, including IT, Facilities, and HR. These relationships have become increasingly important as the business has grown, allowing Strata to stay aligned, responsive, and well supported as part of a larger organisation.

Working in operations has taught me the importance of adaptability, effective communication, and time management, particularly when supporting multiple teams with competing priorities. As a manager, the skills that have guided me most throughout my career are listening, empathy, and leading by example.

I believe strongly in empowering my teams and recognise the impact that time, trust, and positive feedback can have. I am passionate about career progression.

We place a strong emphasis on onboarding and development, with every new team member assigned a mentor and given regular feedback. Over the years, I have been proud to see many team members progress into new roles within the firm.

I focus on continuous improvement by regularly reviewing our processes, sharing knowledge openly, and recognising achievements. To me, a job well done comes down to clarity and consistency. When expectations are clear and people understand what they are working towards and why, it enables my colleagues to deliver clients the best possible service.

Looking ahead, I'm focused on learning, strengthening relationships between Strata and Gallagher Bassett, and nurturing the next generation of future leaders within my teams.

In many ways, my own career growth has mirrored Strata's journey, shaped by change, trust, and a commitment to building strong foundations with people. I am excited for what the future holds.