What we think

This year we’ve asked our clients to share helpful insights from their varied and successful careers. Today it’s the turn of Claire Wicks, People Director at CPM who tells us; how she’s built resilience and strength at work and how important it is to find a business that aligns with your personal values. Thank you Claire for your time!

So Claire, first could you tell us about your current role and the steps you took to get there?

I have been People Director for CPM UK for 2 years. I had a lot of opportunity to develop as a leader during my 11 years at Centrica and attended a number of programmes to support with this journey. I really embraced those chances and took some risks too. It gave me the confidence to move into a more stand-alone role as HR Director at Costa Express with high levels of autonomy to influence both the business and the people agenda. My subsequent move to Mothercare took me to new heights of resilience and courage and a new found admiration for the strength colleagues have in even the toughest of times. The last two years at CPM have been tough as I joined just before the first lockdown in 2020, but my time at Mothercare helped give me confidence to navigate through high degrees of ambiguity and remaining calm even when I’m really not feeling that way!

Where on your journey did you encounter Seven, and why do you choose to work with us?

Gabby is a calm and reassuring partner. She is always flexible and accommodating to constantly changing needs and is very loyal to her clients, which demonstrates how much she values these relationships. Gabby has helped us to find the right people for some very challenging roles and she really gets the importance of culture, but is always prepared to throw in a ‘wild card’ to test our thinking and stretch us.

Glad to hear that and really appreciate those words, thank you. 

Seven was established as a business in 2002. Where were you working in 2002 and what was your biggest learning from that role?

I was in my first HR role since graduating and supporting Ladbrokes call centre, which gave me an insight into the fast paced nature of that environment and the challenges of high turnover and high volume recruitment. It was a bit of a shock!

It sounds it! If you could go back in time to 2002, what career advice would you give yourself?

Always go to a company that aligns closely with your own values and allows you to bring your whole self to work. Be open about who you are and what’s important to you from the start.