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What inspired you to pursue a career with Barden?
Like a lot of people, I re-evaluated many things on the back of the pandemic and wanted to move away from hospitality but utilise my skills and mindset with the right company. Making the right move was key to me, and when I originally came across Barden’s job advert, it really stood out to me as something different. This was only cemented further when I met Johnny, Ed and Elaine. It was clear from the outset that Barden strives to do things differently whilst effortlessly maintaining the human factor in all areas, which was a refreshing experience. I joined the team in October 2021, and everything I felt from the outside has shown to be true. We have evolved our advisory services to be able to support professionals and clients alike to make informed strategic decisions – there’s simply nothing better than aiding the team to help people find their right people.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
It’s not necessarily a specific lesson, but I think the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability. Throughout my career, I’ve encountered various challenges and changes, and being able to adapt to new situations has been crucial. Ed and I frequently reference the ‘pass’ in a restaurant; it’s a hectic pivotal position between the front and back of the house. If you’re in charge there, then you will be managing both sides of the kitchen and ensuring a smooth flow, which doesn’t always go easily. I’ve worked in various industries with their own ‘passes’ to be maintained, and it has made me more resilient and expanded my skillset also, which I believe has led to my own professional growth and success to date.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Listen to your gut and be clear about your reasons for a change.
Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
Our Talent Monitors. We established these last year in Barden after noticing a trend in the wider market. There was a lot of outdated commentary that usually coincided with the release of an annual salary survey. We currently have 20+ talent monitors live on the website for various sectors, from recently qualified accountants to supply chain and procurement professionals. These Talent Monitors are updated quarterly and offer Hiring Managers and professionals real-time snapshots of salaries, talent availability and trends quarter by quarter. I’m incredibly proud of these Talent Monitors and, more importantly, the team who put a tremendous amount of work into them in the background, allowing them to be the reputable source of information that they are.
What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
I couldn’t pick any one element; it would be a lot of our Talent Advisory work as a whole. We are very data-driven here in Barden, combining Barden data, LI Insights, CSO and third-party proprietary data. We’re producing reports on talent availability, gender balance on external talent pools, bespoke salary benchmarking, peer-to-peer analysis and lots more aiding executive decision-making on all things talent attraction and retention. We also support the wider team with other advisory work around employer branding, employer audits, and bespoke project delivery – essentially anything and everything talent-related that our clients need external expertise on.
What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
Anyone who knows me or has been around me for a while would say that there isn’t much that might surprise them about me. I have that mindset (some might say delusion) that I can take a stab at anything—even when the skillset is not in my remit! I’ve built and demolished furniture, panelled hallways and rooms, painted, and done a bit of landscaping. Does it take me longer than a professional? Absolutely, but it’s always great fun!
If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
Ability to learn a new language quickly. I’m not the worst but I’m certainly far from the best at it. I have a basic handle on Italian and German, but I wouldn’t mind a magic wand being waved to give me some more fluency. Pity languages don’t fall under my delusion of taking a stab at anything!
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
I would love to sit on the pit wall of an F1 team (any one of the top 4 would be great, just for a bit more excitement) for the day, listening to all the communication channels. Ideally, I would like to be part of the strategy team, but I can accept that I would be the last person to be offering any strategy on that day – unless we’re in Monaco, where it may be a bit easier to hedge a bet given the track! Everyone is aware of the drivers and team principles of these high-performing teams, but I think that the wider group of analysts, engineers and mechanics etc, behind them don’t always get the recognition owed. There is nothing that happens on the track that doesn’t come from their expertise. I think it would be a real eye-opener, plus if I could drive an F1 car afterwards, that would be an added bonus!
What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
Professionally I want to continue to develop and build on my skillset. Personally, aside from completing my long list of tasks around the house, travel a bit more this year and experience some new cultures!
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
What’s for you won’t pass you. I’ve heard this from my parents since I was very young, and I have rolled my eyes to it a lot also! As I’ve grown and experienced the world with its various challenges and accomplishments, it has cemented in me as a true and accurate statement to live by. That’s not to say that I’m expecting to win the lotto by just thinking about it, but if you commit and work towards something, it will be yours if it’s truly right for you.