In our latest interview in our ‘FuturExec: The Academy - Spotlight on...’ series, we speak to Sophie Spencer, HR Business Partner at Pearson. Sophie is a long-standing member of our FuturExec: The Academy programme. Here, Leanne Boddy speaks to Sophie about what inspired her to work within HR, the core skills you need to have to progress in HR and her career aspirations.
What made you decide to pursue a career in the field of HR?
As soon as I had the opportunity to learn more about HR through my roles in Talent Acquisition, it was an obvious career choice for me which was driven by my passion for understanding individuals and my background in psychology. For me, the diversity of the role is one of its greatest appeals—no two days are ever the same! Working in HR provides the unique opportunity to shape business success while directly contributing to employee well-being and the creation of a positive working environment.
I've always been fascinated by team and interpersonal dynamics, and HR allows me to practically apply this interest. It’s incredibly rewarding to facilitate programs that promote performance, talent development, and employee engagement. Additionally, I love problem-solving, and working in HR offers countless opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders to address various business challenges. My goal is always to ensure business success and to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work. Working in HR provides me with the perfect platform to achieve this.
What are some of the core skills you feel HR professionals need in order to really add help organisations progress?
In my view the list here is endless and HR professionals need to wear many hats. However, I think effective communication, especially active listening, is critical to be able to understand and address employee and business concerns. An analytical mindset and the ability to use data for strategic decision making is also key. Also, as the work landscape is changing so rapidly, the adaptability of the HR function will continue to be critical, specifically when navigating the adoption of new technologies in the workplace such as AI tools.
How do you feel being a participant on Macmillan Davies’ FuturExec: The Academy has helped your career over the last 12 months?
Participating in Macmillan Davies’ FuturExec: The Academy has significantly boosted my career over the past 12 months. While I was still in Talent Acquisition, the program provided me with insights from other HR professionals on topics that I hadn't had much exposure to before. The discussions allowed me to explore these areas more deeply and to network with other HR professionals, broadening my understanding and connections in the field. I was able to input on the areas I knew well and learn about the HR topics where I had less exposure such as employee engagement and ER. I always came away from sessions feeling inspired and with ideas to share with my wider HR team. This allowed me to expand my horizons in my Talent Acquisition role which, contributed to me being able to take the step from a specialist TA role to a role as an HRBP.
What are your career ambitions?
Right now, it’s all about learning! So as a first step, I aim to develop my strategic capabilities in my HRBP role at Pearson, focusing on aligning people objectives with business strategy within my business area. My longer-term goal is to aim for roles with broader responsibilities and increasingly senior stakeholders. In the future, I would also love to manage a team and strengthen my management skills. I am passionate about talent development and early careers, so I would want to continue to work in organisations that value employees as their greatest asset. I enjoy finding opportunities that allow me to foster growth for all employees while benefiting the business, so would want to ensure any role I move into would involve plenty of this!
What is the best piece of career advice you have received?
This is simple, take advantage of every learning opportunity, take some calculated risks in your career and always believe in yourself and your ability! I think the key is always being open to new experiences and acknowledging the fact that you could make mistakes when you are pushing your boundaries. If you take accountability for your own progress and always try and be better than you were yesterday, you can’t go far wrong – cheesy but true!
Find out more
To find out more about our programme, please click here.
If you would like to nominate anyone from your HR team to join The Academy or find out how you can support the programme by speaking at future events, please get in touch using the details below:
Leanne Boddy
07506 755 660lboddy@mdhr.co.uk
