People stories

What drew you to working at Hawthorn?
Several factors, but particularly the opportunity to collaborate with new people, clients and sectors while drawing on my tech expertise. I’ve always been keen on seizing new opportunities, and being part of Hawthorn has allowed me to leverage my tech sector experience while broadening my own horizons. As I got to know the team more, the fast-paced, consultative style of work also really appealed.

Describe Hawthorn in three words?
Fast-paced, interesting, and dynamic.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
The variety! One day I might be meeting with deeptech experts at a university to forge connections between them and my client, and the next, I’m scriptwriting, landing top-tier media coverage or project managing a campaign. There’s always something new to learn, which keeps things exciting.

What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learnt in your time so far at Hawthorn?
One of the most memorable experiences was a trip to a client’s data centre in Northern Sweden – very near the Arctic Circle. I was there to support some on-site filming, and getting to see the hardware up close as the team deployed the same type of GPUs that ChatGPT was trained on really brought AI to life. Another highlight was our recent summer social event, the Great London Bake Off. It was incredibly fun to see the team collaborate but get competitive over baking, even if I ended up ruining my top with some questionable green icing!

Tell us about your hobbies / how do you like to spend your free time?
I love being in London and making the most of the variety it offers — whether that’s dining out, going to the theatre, or attending gigs. On weekends, you’ll often find me at a pub with friends, playing a few card games or strolling around Hampstead Heath while listening to a podcast for some quiet time. I’m a reluctant exerciser, in contrast to most of the Hawthorn team, but I do try and get to the gym at least on a semi-regular basis – it’s good to clear my head and take some time for myself. A less frequent but favourite hobby of mine is scuba diving. I was out in Malta earlier this year for a wedding and snuck off for a morning to dive at Um El-Faroud, a giant tanker wreck that’s now an artificial reef and diving site – you can swim through the old kitchen and still see hobs on the stove which is a little eerie, but very cool to see.

What career advice would you give to your younger self?
Always ask the question, and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. As a curious but often reserved person, I had the tendency to sit back in team meetings and listen. While valuable, it took me a lot of time to build the confidence to also ask questions directly and challenge the conversation. I wish I’d started that sooner!

Is there a particular experience, piece of tech, or person that sparked your interest in working in technology? What did you find intriguing about it? 
I don’t come from a technical background, but I find translating complex concepts into relatable stories exciting. Beyond the acronyms and jargon, there are so many fascinating stories to tell. The fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of technology means there’s always something new to learn, so it’s certainly never boring!

Are there any pieces of tech, or aspects of technology that you’re especially curious to see how it will develop in the future? Why? 
As a tech enthusiast and optimist, I’m excited about how advancements in technology can impact our lives – from the impact of healthcare and the personalisation of medical treatments to the future of transport with developments in eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology, for example, offering a more connected world. These innovations have the potential to significantly impact our lives and the way we live them. I’m also intrigued by how technologies like AI, especially in cybersecurity, will develop. It quickens the pace of both attack and defence and at the end of it all, reputation is always on the line.