As Head of the Corporate Practice Group comprising approximately a third of the firm, people management was an important and often time-consuming part of my role. When Linda joined as the HR lead for our Practice Group, she quickly got to the heart of our issues identifying the value she and her team could bring to our business.  To her credit, she earnt my trust and confidence proving she could successfully lead many of our strategic people activities. Reassuringly, this allowed me to focus on leading the business through a tough economic climate. Her approachable and pragmatic style combined with astute and commercial advice, overcame our most sceptical of Partners, who actively sought her counsel. She was openly recognised and respected as an integral member of my leadership team.

Whatever the problem or situation, Linda always remained calm and positive. She expertly guided us through some significant people issues and was praised for implementing some tough business decisions in a way that did not detract from her empathy and support for our people. Her expertise helped us avoid a number of issues which had the potential to negatively impact our Brand.  She is one of the few HR leaders I consider as a “Trusted Advisor”.

Linda is a truly strategic leader and thinker.  She skilfully connects a whole range of issues to build a vision and flexible service model to deliver competitive advantage.  She is candid and transparent with the team, ensuring we play an active role shaping the ideas and are inspired to positively implement change.  Linda is impressive at juggling many priorities, delivering the operations of today and at the same time shaping the strategy for tomorrow.

Linda is a great sounding-board for my ideas. As my mentor, she shows a genuine interest in my development and success.  She is generous with her insights enabling me to see the bigger picture and offering different perspectives to help me work out my priorities.  Her advice is practical and she always gives me something to reflect and ponder which I really enjoy. Working together is a true partnership, with Linda openly listening to my feedback too!

I have known Linda for several years and regard her as a person of integrity, perceptiveness and positivity. Working with her to implement a complex cultural change programme she demonstrated not only much needed commercial focus but a great capacity for openness, curiosity and innovative thinking. You have to be resilient to thrive in uncertainty and complexity and this is one of Linda’s strengths. She is also highly self-aware and continues to be excited by learning for herself and for others. Even when things are tough we can find things to laugh about and her energy is infectious!

I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to work along-side Linda on a couple of very important and challenging business change projects. Throughout each of these, I’ve been inspired by her ability to seamlessly balance being tough and resilient yet emotionally connected and compassionate to those around her.  I use the term “work along-side” deliberately as that is Linda’s true style. She always seeks to work in a very collaborative and inclusive way, putting engagement at the heart of everything she does.

Through establishing the clarity of purpose, Linda is able to steer the change journey in accordance with the desired outcome. And at every step of the way will check her understanding to make sure she’s on track with stakeholders, irrespective of their position.  I always look forward to any opportunity of working with Linda, not least because of her fantastic work ethic, and commitment to put the customer first; but also because she is absolutely great fun to be around, with a fantastic sense of humour and real spirit for life.

Linda is an incredibly talented and focussed HR professional at the top of her game!  Partnering with her to support a transformational change programme, I saw first-hand how she works with others to drive the best outcome for the business.  A rare talent and a pleasure to work with.

I think the thing that has always stuck with me is that Linda sees opportunity where others see a problem. For me that meant working with her in an environment where I could learn and grow beyond my own expectations. Working as part of her team she enabled me to act as an ‘intrapreneur’ within the organisation. This was perfect for me and when the time was right to go out on my own and start my business, I had the skills and focus to make it a success. I don’t think I would have grown the company to where it is now, almost seven years later, had it not been for the three years I worked with her.