I first came across Advena at a point in my career where I wasn’t actively looking for a move, but I knew I had more to give. There was something about the business – its direction, pace and potential – that stood out to me. I sent Kirsty a speculative note saying, in effect, I’ve got experience, energy and ideas. Shall we talk? Thankfully, she said yes. That was back in 2021, and it’s turned into one of the most rewarding chapters of my career.
Today, I’m Operations and Compliance Director. That means I’m responsible not just for the compliance side, but for helping to shape how we work across the business. I spend a lot of time thinking about systems, people, and where we’re headed next – and I still get a buzz from solving problems and seeing real progress take shape.
Getting started
When I joined, things were moving quickly. There was lots to learn and a lot of work to do. I enjoy that kind of environment; the challenge of bringing structure to complexity and finding ways to improve things.
I’m someone who likes to get on with it. I don’t wait to be asked. If something looks inefficient, I’ll say so. If something needs fixing, I’ll offer a solution. That approach has always served me well, and Advena has been a place where that kind of thinking is not just welcomed, but encouraged.
Stepping into leadership
I didn’t have a big long-term plan to become a director. I just saw where the gaps were and took ownership. Over time, that developed into a broader leadership role. There was a clear need for someone to bring structure and consistency to how we delivered quality and regulatory advice, and I felt ready to take that on.
Kirsty trusted me to make it happen, that trust made all the difference. I’ve always appreciated the openness we have – we don’t always agree, but we can have honest conversations, and that’s what moves things forward. It’s a big part of the culture here.
The support I’ve had from the team has made a huge difference too. People like Andrea and Jess backed me when I stepped into this role, and that kind of trust and encouragement is something I don’t take for granted. It says a lot about the people here and the kind of culture we’ve built.
Leading with people in mind
I’m a big believer in servant leadership. My job isn’t to sit above people telling them what to do – it’s to support them, give them clarity and help them get where they need to be. That sometimes means having difficult conversations. It often means asking a lot of questions. It always means listening properly and knowing when to push and when to hold back.
We’ve built a brilliant team and a supportive culture, and now we’re focused on creating even more opportunities for people to step up and shape what comes next.
What kind of people thrive here
You don’t need to come from a textbook background to succeed at Advena. But you do need to care about what you’re doing and be willing to own it. We value people who ask questions, bring ideas, and stay curious.
If I had to sum up Advena’s culture in three words, I’d say it’s supportive, customer-focused and fair. There’s a shared drive to do things properly and help each other get there. And we do that while having a laugh along the way – which, let’s be honest, helps.
I always say that growth works both ways. When people grow, the business grows. And if someone joins us and ends up leaving a few years later with more experience and more confidence, that’s still a success. Though obviously, we’d rather keep them.
Looking ahead
Advena is growing. We’ve got plans to keep improving how we work, how we support our people and how we deliver for our clients. There’s still work to do, but the direction is clear and the culture is strong.
If you want to be part of a business where your ideas are listened to, where you’re supported to grow, and where there’s real momentum behind the scenes, then this is a great place to be. Even if you don’t see a role advertised on our careers page, always get in touch if you have an idea about how you can bring value to Advena – we’d love to hear from you.
