Our Employee in the Spotlight series is a chance to highlight the impact our team members have on the success of Callen-Lenz. This week, we hear from Karen Richardson our new Learning and Development Partner in Human Resources.
Born and raised in Scotland, Karen began her career in a very different kind of spotlight, pursuing professional theatre after graduating from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Following several years on stage, life took a new turn after the birth of her daughter. What started as a part-time role at Pizza Express soon evolved into a 10-year career in training and development.
From there, she moved into the role of Learning and Development Partner at Hall & Woodhouse, a Dorset-based brewery and pub group, where she spent 14 years refining her passion: people development. It was during this time that she discovered her true calling, helping others grow, unlocking potential, and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
“Working with teams and leaders to help them thrive is where I’m happiest,” she shares. “Leadership carries an enormous responsibility, taking care of people, guiding them, supporting their growth. Not everyone naturally knows how to step into that role, and that’s where strong leadership development is essential. Without it, organisations risk having leaders who, despite the best intentions, do more harm than good.”
Now joining Callen-Lenz at an exciting time in our journey, she’s already making her mark in the People Team.
“The transition from beer to platforms has been made easy by the incredibly welcoming team at Callen-Lenz,” she says. “I’m truly excited to be here and look forward to supporting colleagues in reaching their goals and building meaningful careers.”
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