Julia Smith is a business psychologist, consultant and coach who is now leveraging 29 years of HR experience in her own company, People Science Consulting. Working with senior management teams and business individuals, Julia is an expert in nurturing relationships, reinforcing teams and finding out what makes people tick. Julia told us about the intersection between HR and psychology, her love of dog walking and the habit of getting distracted by distractions. 

With 14 years of HR experience under her belt, Debra Gardner is passionate about people, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Now the Chief People Officer for LSL Property Services plc, Debra regularly uses her expertise (and abundance of to-do lists) to solve challenges and make sure her colleagues work somewhere they feel they belong. Debra told us about her love for people, prioritising family time and why beekeeping helps her headspace.

Jane Imrie is a freelance comms and content consultant with a knack for weaving compelling stories. With a background in marketing, journalism and PR, Jane knows that a great story won’t necessarily resonate unless told in the right way, to the right people. For our latest Studio Series, she tells us about her monumental pivot into the world of marketing, how flexibility helps her stay productive, and what she’d like to change in the world.

From the red carpets of Monaco to motor dealerships in Newcastle, Christian Cerisola’s career in PR has taken him far and wide, allowing him to meet people from all walks of life. Now settled comfortably in the North East, Christian is highly sought after by agencies seeking his PR prowess in the digital climate. He told us about his star-studded career in comms, why listening is such a vital skill to have, and the exciting possibility of setting up his own agency.

Dale Parr is a seasoned data strategist who is bringing cutting-edge strategies to the fashion industry. With his own sneaker store and vast experience in investment banking, fashion production, brand ownership and data analysis, Dale is more than equipped for the ever-evolving landscapes that these industries present. He told us about his multifaceted expertise, his favourite method for staying focused, and how he balances time across work and family.

Ruby Guyler is the founder of Lasso - a business offering friendly marketing services to anyone in need of a creative helping hand. From removing the rigidity of traditional marketing agencies to taking away the pressures of 9-5 working life, Ruby wants freelancing to be as flexible and freeing as it says on the tin - both for herself and her clients. She told us about the ups and downs of freelancing, her daily routines, and the change she’d like to see in the world.

The world of finance is volatile - that we can all agree on. A man who perhaps knows this better than most is Gary Fawcett, a Chartered Wealth Manager and Branch Principal at Raymond James, Monument. Gary’s interest in economic trends goes hand in hand with his desire to support people with financial advice, and it’s one of the reasons he set up his office in the first place. Gary spoke to us about the enjoyment he gets from the human side of finance, the importance of family, and how he tries not to let time escape him.

After almost 20 years in the property industry, Stuart Nickloes decided it was time to put the ‘human’ back into homebuying. He’s now the Managing Director of Bricks & Mortar, an independent estate agency in Newcastle upon Tyne that embraces the personal side of property. Stuart told us about his career leading up to Bricks & Mortar, his daily routines and what he attributes to his success.

Laura Brewis is the Founder and Project Director at We Make Culture CIC, a Sunderland-based social enterprise that is opening doors into creative industries for young people. Laura explains the growth that stems from art, music and culture, her own pathway into the industry, and how work-life balance and productivity don’t look the same for everyone.

Ivan and Nadine Hollingsworth decided to ditch the security of their office jobs and launch their own business, Centric Consultants. It paid off. Now, they are helping other businesses avoid rampant ‘culture-washing’ and build team relationships that are based on trust, kindness and psychological safety. The pair spoke to Pattern about the need for meaningful connection in the workplace, the ingredients for a sustainable work culture, and how they complement each other as business and life partners.

Kate Harland is shaping the future at one of the North East’s most iconic institutions. As a Marketing lecturer, it’s the knowledge that she gets to impact new generations each year that makes her love what she does. That, and reimagining her childhood games of playing teacher and taking registers. We spoke to Kate about her passion for academia, the rituals that help her work, and how she stays focused as an easily distracted person.

Julia Morrison has a fascination for people - what makes them tick, what holds them back, and their various ways of thinking. Her leadership coaching business, Morrison & Mann, gives her the opportunity to help leaders unpick problems and get to solutions by shifting their thinking. We spoke to Julia about her flair for helping others, how she stays grounded, and some of the sacrifices she’s made on her journey to becoming a leadership coach.

Ashleigh King is a creative entrepreneur and podcaster who runs Flamingo Heights, a creative studio specialising in podcasting. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2020, Ashleigh no longer feels like she has to make herself fit in with those around her. Instead, she’s surrounding herself with the things that make her thrive: colour, creativity, and a ‘flock’ who bring out the best in each other. She spoke to Pattern about her path to podcasting, running her own business and being completely, utterly, herself.

Meet Alexis Forsyth - senior copywriter by day, lifestyle blogger by night. For Alexis, writing for a living has always been the dream, and it’s something she’s achieved through dedication, passion, and a sprinkling of life’s twists and turns. Alexis spoke to Pattern about her varied career as a writer, how she’s showcasing the best of Newcastle through her blog Newcastle Sparkles, and the methods she has to stay focused and set boundaries.

David Stimson is a UKCP-registered therapist who has found his calling supporting children, adolescents and adults with complex trauma. The skills he has developed over the years have also led to him to work alongside leaders and organisations, providing executive coaching to help them achieve the highest level of organisational culture and well-being. We spoke to David about his fascinating profession, how he’s impacting people’s lives, and his take on self-development and making sacrifices.

Juggling six jobs probably isn’t most people’s idea of a dream career, but it certainly works for Jonny Chambers. From radio broadcasting and managing theatre shows to running his own creative agency (and more!), Jonny has gained a multitude of skills along the way. The creative entrepreneur spoke to Pattern about his less-than-standard career path and the steps he takes to manage his jam- packed schedule.

For the last 14 years, Michelle Simpson has successfully run a specialist recruitment business in the North East. Her years of experience have taught her the importance of creating meaningful relationships with customers, as well as having a team that makes work enjoyable and light-hearted. Michelle spoke to Pattern about her career in the recruitment industry and the rituals she’s adopted to strike a work-life balance.

Helped along by her flair for creativity and the support of her entrepreneurial family, Lauren Regan decided it was time to make her own mark on the North East following the pandemic. That’s why she set up MOLE - a creative consultancy helping non-profits, SMEs and entrepreneurs in the region. Lauren spoke to Pattern about her varied career path, the importance of different perspectives, and the highlights of running her own business.

Professor Katy Shaw has travelled the world, seeing all the sights before eventually returning to her home city of Newcastle upon Tyne. As AHRC Director of Creative Communities and Director of Cultural Partnerships at Northumbria University, Katy is passionate about relocating the creative industries to the North and educating the next generation. Katy spoke to Pattern about her career, travels and what ‘settling down’ looks like for her.

Paul Milner and Scott Savin, co-founders of architecture firm ALT STUDIOS, have devoted a good chunk of their lives to unconventional design. Despite some sacrifices, their paths have led them to be curious, experimental and passionate about choosing the unexpected. The pair talks to Pattern about their mission to exceed design expectations and the change they’d like to see in the world.