‘It’s the individual behind the CV that really matters’

Tell us about your route into HR. Was it a career you planned from the beginning?

Not at all. I left school and initially tried A-levels, but I quickly realised that path wasn’t for me at the time. I was fortunate to find an employer who really believed in supporting people and investing in their development. Throughout my career, I studied alongside work, completing a couple of degrees and then later a master’s degree. It wasn’t a straight-line journey, but that’s what makes it meaningful. I’ve always believed in investing in myself, and that continuous learning has enabled me to build the career I have today.

Why are you so passionate about HR?

For me, every business is built on its people. Whatever industry you’re in, it’s the people who make the difference. I’m passionate about creating an environment where colleagues can thrive, leaders feel confident to lead and the business has the right people, skills and capability to deliver its strategy.

Your role covers multiple jurisdictions. What does that involve?

I lead the People Team function across the Praxis Group, from the British Virgin Islands to Hong Kong and everywhere in between. Working globally gives you a real appreciation for different cultures, experiences and perspectives. Every jurisdiction has its own employment laws and ways of working, but what remains constant is the importance of people. The diversity and inclusivity that come from operating internationally are incredibly valuable and help strengthen the business.

AI is becoming increasingly common in recruitment. How do you view its role?

We use an applicant tracking system to manage our recruitment process, but we don’t use AI to screen or select candidates. As a global organisation, we recruit across a number of jurisdictions and cultures, where communication styles, language and ways of expressing experience can vary significantly. Whilst AI has many benefits, we believe there is still real value in experienced recruitment professionals reviewing every application to ensure candidates are assessed fairly and consistently.

AI undoubtedly has an important role to play in enhancing and supporting business processes, and we continue to explore where it can add value. However, recruitment is ultimately about people. It’s about understanding potential, building relationships and recognising qualities that can’t always be captured on a CV or interpreted by technology alone.

We also encourage candidates to be authentic throughout the recruitment process. We want to understand who they are, what motivates them and what they can bring to Praxis. It’s the individual behind the CV that really matters.

Praxis recently launched PraxisFirst. What inspired the programme?

PraxisFirst is very close to my heart. I’ve been lucky throughout my career to work for organisations that invested in their people, and Praxis shares that philosophy. We wanted to create opportunities for young people starting out in their careers, acknowledging that not everyone leaves school or university and immediately finds the perfect role.

The programme is designed to be much more than a qualification pathway. It’s a two-year academy experience that combines learning, coaching, mentoring and career development. We’ve invested in a dedicated Learning and Development team to support participants throughout their journey and help them build confidence as well as professional skills.

Who is the programme aimed at?

It’s aimed at individuals looking to begin a professional career within the financial services industry. This may include school or college leavers, graduates, career changers or those looking to take the first step into the sector. Initially, we’ll be inviting around 10 to 12 participants from Guernsey and Jersey before we look to expand the programme further across the Group.

What makes the programme different?

The biggest difference is the level of support. This isn’t simply about enrolling someone on a course and hoping they succeed. We want to understand how each individual learns and provide the right framework around them.

I’ve always used the analogy of learning to drive. Some people pass their test first time, while others need a few more attempts. It doesn’t make one person better than another, they simply learn at different paces. I think learning and development is much the same. Everyone develops differently, so it’s important that we create an environment where colleagues feel supported, encouraged and confident to keep learning. If someone needs additional support along the way, we want to be there to help.

What attracted you to life in Guernsey?

My partner is from Guernsey, so I already had a connection to the island and spent quite a lot of time here before making the move. That gave me the opportunity to really get to know Guernsey and I could see myself building a life here. It felt like a very natural place to call home.

I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors, so having the coast and cliff paths on my doorstep has been a real bonus. It feels very different from the Peak District where I grew up, but in many ways, it offers that same opportunity to switch off, get outside and appreciate the surroundings. Guernsey has been a fantastic place to settle into, and everyone has made me feel incredibly welcome.

Ultimately, what do you hope PraxisFirst will achieve?

I want participants to look back and feel that the programme genuinely helped shape their career and future. Whether that’s through qualifications, coaching, career opportunities or simply the confidence to succeed, we want to help people build long, rewarding careers.

If they finish the programme feeling supported, valued and excited about their future, then we’ll have achieved exactly what we set out to do.