High Potential Programme (HIPO): Hayley Jennings

What was the process like and what were you looking to take away from the training?

In the beginning I was curious to see how it would work, and what I would get out of it, especially with the pandemic. A lot of the programme was discussion-based learning, which I really enjoy.

The senior management team spent a lot of time with us throughout the process. I really valued this time, with many of the stories feeling relatable. One session stood out to me: we spoke about what kind of leader we wanted to be, and that you don’t need to shout the loudest to lead. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ for management, and you can see that in practice with how my team is set up for example.

We were also paired with mentors during the process. I’m still in contact with mine even after the programme. While HIPO sessions were one a month, I met with my mentor bi-weekly throughout the process. Together we would discuss any challenges I was facing at the time, focusing on people and relationship management, as well as the journey and skills required to becoming a leader. We would also talk about their experience, including the path they took to becoming a CEO.

How has the HIPO programme impacted your personal development and your career within SRG?

It set me up well for a promotion actually. The point of the programme was to help us focus our progression towards leadership with the behaviours and skills required to set out on this path. It also meant we got an insight into the day-to-day running of the senior team, and other teams too – notably the finance and M&A teams, which normally I would not come across in that kind of detail.

Fully understanding the value of teams you aren’t directly working with gives you a new appreciation of your colleagues and it helps you to understand how the business as a whole works together to achieve its goals and targets.

HIPO also gave me a strong focus in a very isolating time. As the nationwide lockdown came into effect, I think a lot of people would agree that the days became quite monotonous. The HIPO programme and the other participants in my group became a brilliant disruptor during this period. In a time of uncertainty, it helped anchor me in my professional purpose, and remind me of what I’m working towards in my career.

What do you feel is your greatest career achievement to date?

I would say competing the HIPO programme and getting promoted to Renewals Manager in January of this year.

If you could give some advice to your 18-year-old self, what would you say?

I would tell myself to own the fact that I am not the loudest in the room and to see it as a strength. It is all about confidence in who you are, there is no one set path to success, and I would have liked to have realised that fact earlier.

Could you summarise working for SRG in three words?

Supportive
Challenging
Encouraging