Employee stories: From Business Consultant to Head of Columbus Academy

My journey into learning and development wasn’t something I had necessarily planned. I’d always enjoyed training people throughout different roles, but over time that enjoyment became a real passion.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, like so many people, my working life changed. Projects were put on hold, which gave me an unexpected opportunity to spend more time learning through the Columbus Academy. I immersed myself in trainer-led and on-demand courses, and it made me realise just how much potential the Academy had.

I started sharing ideas about what we could do differently and how I’d love to be involved. Eventually, that led me to what really felt like my dream role.

Today, our ambition for the Academy goes much further than onboarding new colleagues. We want to create learning that supports people throughout their careers, whether that’s developing skills for a particular role, growing into something new or simply becoming more confident in what they do.

The Academy is there for everyone, from graduates starting their careers to experienced consultants and colleagues working in internal roles. Courses such as change management, presentation techniques and personal leadership can support people across Columbus, alongside more specialist training for particular areas.

For me, learning isn’t just about completing a course. It’s about taking what you’ve learnt, exploring new ideas and using that knowledge to make a difference for your team, Columbus and our customers.

Curiosity plays a big part in that. I think it’s one of the ways we give ourselves an edge. At Columbus, people are given the opportunity to take time to learn and explore new areas. Being curious has always been really important to me, both personally and professionally.

One of the things I value most about Columbus is feeling that I’m part of where we’re going.

Columbus gives you a platform to grow, but you also get to be part of the wider journey of the business. You’re not on the outside looking in. I can see how I’m contributing to our growth and feel part of a wider team.

That sense of belonging is really important to me. I want people to feel that they can grow here, stay curious and explore where their interests might take them.

My own journey at Columbus has shown me how much can change when you’re given the space and opportunity to learn.