As a Talent Acquisition Manager at HMRC, I look after the recruitment of specialist permanent roles and contingent workers across some genuinely hard‑to‑fill areas. My focus is making sure HMRC has the right people in place to deliver what really matters. I lead and develop a great team of recruiters and work closely with our onboarding colleagues, overseeing the whole hiring journey from start to finish. That means keeping things up to date, compliant and competitive, while still moving at pace. Working within clear governance and resourcing standards, I’m always balancing speed, quality and assurance — but never at the expense of the human side of recruitment. I’m a big advocate for a candidate‑centred, inclusive approach that reflects HMRC’s values and commitment to fair and accessible hiring.

I joined HMRC later on in my career, and one of the things that really stood out to me is how inclusive and genuinely supportive the organisation is. I work with a really diverse group of people who share strong values and who always give their best, even when the work is tough or complex. The role itself keeps things interesting — some days are fast‑paced and full‑on, while others give me the space to slow down and think things through, depending on what I’m working on. What I appreciate most, though, is the encouragement around personal development. If you’re keen to progress or try something new, there’s a huge range of training and development opportunities available, not just within my area but right across HMRC.

Focus less on chasing big titles or headline achievements, and more on doing the small things well, consistently. Build strong relationships, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to learn as you go — every role, even the tough ones, teaches you something useful. Treat people well, whether they’re candidates, colleagues or stakeholders, because quality and integrity always matter more than speed alone. If you’re willing to put the effort in, stay adaptable, and keep developing yourself, opportunities tend to follow.

This is a tricky one, because for me it’s never really been about one big standout achievement — it’s the small wins over time that add up and really matter. That said, a few moments stand out across the different industries I’ve worked in. I ran a successful recruitment business for over 20 years and achieved Investors in People accreditation, which I’m particularly proud of. Earlier in my career, I was recognised as a top‑four Audi salesperson in the UK, an award based not just on sales numbers but on quality of service. And right at the start, during my time in the Royal Navy, I was awarded the Captain’s Prize as top recruit in Specialised Communications Training.