Kirsty's Story

Kirsty joined us in 2025 as an Executive Coach and Development Specialist. Since joining she has had a huge impact on the business, working hard to coach and support our employees to do and be their best.

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What first attracted you to join Carrington West?

I’d admired Carrington West from afar for years, watching the company grow from the early days into the successful organisation it is today. It was always clear that the culture, people first ethos and strong leadership were the heartbeat of success. So, when the opportunity to join came up, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I wanted to be part of it. What you see online is genuinely what you get, the reality absolutely matches the reputation.

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What was your career journey like before joining the company?

I began my recruitment career in 2007 as a trainee consultant and progressed into management roles over the years. As a recruitment manager, I found myself increasingly passionate about developing others – celebrating their wins, helping them grow, and guiding them through challenges. Completing my Level 5 in Operations Management in 2024 reinforced what I already felt, that my true passion lies in helping people succeed.

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Before recruitment, I worked as a customer service trainer, so moving into L&D felt like the perfect blend of everything I love doing. And as a working mum of two, supporting others in finding their confidence, balance and success really resonate with me on a personal level.

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What does a typical day look like for you as an Executive Coach & Development Specialist?

No two days are ever the same! I deliver training sessions for new starters and existing team members, and I make myself fully available for coaching whenever it’s needed, which is something people at Carrington West make great use of. I offer real-time coaching by listening in and shadowing calls, and support individuals as situations arise. And equally important, I provide emotional support when people need a confidence boost, a sounding board, or just someone in their corner.

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How do you support the business through your role?

My role has taken a significant amount of day-to-day training pressure away from managers, allowing them to focus on strategic leadership. I work across both shared services and sales to ensure the whole business receives consistent, high-quality training tailored to its needs. One of the biggest impacts has been reducing time to productivity through a structured and intentional training plan.

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What part of your work do you find most rewarding?

Nothing beats hearing “I tried what you taught me and it worked!” Those moments make everything worthwhile. Knowing I’ve contributed positively to someone’s confidence, performance or mindset is incredibly rewarding – it’s exactly what motivates me.

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How do you measure the success of your coaching and development initiatives?

I truly believe feedback is a gift, and I actively encourage it at all levels. It helps me refine content, identify gaps, and continually improve. Success shows up in many ways – faster time to productivity, improved ratios in permanent recruitment, or simply the increasing number of colleagues who seek out coaching and development support. People only come back if they feel it’s valuable!

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How would you describe the learning and development culture at Carrington West?

I’ve always believed that you can learn something no matter how long you’ve been in a role and Carrington West embodies that mindset. The L&D culture was strong long before I arrived, and over the past year it’s only strengthened further. It’s refreshing to be in a business where development is genuinely encouraged, embraced and celebrated.

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What sets Carrington West apart?

It’s hard to choose just one thing, but the culture is truly exceptional. The people, the shared drive to succeed, the supportive environment, and the commitment to personal growth all set it apart. It’s rare to find a business that balances high performance with genuine care so well.

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How does the business support you in continuing your own professional growth?

I’m planning to begin my Level 7 in Executive Coaching in 2026, and Carrington West is supporting me through the preparation and requirements. The directors are always recommending books, sharing resources and encouraging me to attend external events and webinars to keep developing. As a working mum of two, having this level of support and flexibility makes a huge difference. It allows me to grow professionally without compromising what’s important at home.

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What motivates you most about your work here?

I love the autonomy I have and the trust the senior leadership team places in me. I’m driven by doing meaningful work but even more so by helping others achieve their goals. Seeing someone succeed and knowing I played even a small part in their journey is the best motivation. Cheesy, but absolutely true!

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What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Carrington West?

Don’t wait, now is the perfect time to join. We have exciting, realistic growth plans for the coming years and the journey ahead is something you’ll want to be part of. What you see online is genuinely what you get, backed by multiple prestigious awards. After nearly 20 years in recruitment, I know what a great agency looks like, what it should look like, and Carrington West truly is one of the best.

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​	Kirsty (centre) with other high performers from around the business, celebrating their success in 2025 at our High Performer's Private Dining Experience.	​

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