Employee case study:
Laura Hayward

The key to our success has been creating opportunities for people to grow, both personally and professionally. Whether it’s offering a foot in the door to those new to recruitment, expanding professional responsibilities, building and developing teams, or exploring new sectors, we’ve always prioritised opening doors for our colleagues. 

Equally important has been our commitment to training, mentoring, and supporting the team – this really is key. It is what has led to the incredible longevity within the Legal division. Many of our team members joined Sellick Partnership at entry level and have transitioned and progressed over the years, some have moved departments and others have moved internally between legal teams. Ultimately, the investment in our colleagues and listening to what they want and how they want to succeed has always been there – and it continues to pay off! 

Lastly, I believe in being bold and taking risks. Building teams, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones, and embracing new ideas have all played a part in our success. Over the past five years, we’ve made transformative changes – launching new teams, focusing on people development, and exploring different sectors. These bold moves have not only driven growth but also strengthened our foundation for future success. 

I joined the business in 2011 as a Resourcing Consultant [Resourcing Consultants typically assist the team they are a part of, screening candidates and supporting colleagues], starting out in a Legal team of just seven people. At the time, I was focused on building relationships with candidates, learning the ropes, and finding my footing in recruitment. 

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to grow alongside the business, taking on new challenges and responsibilities. Today, as Group Director, I’m responsible for over 30 employees across six extremely driven and high-performing teams. It’s been an amazing journey to see how the Legal division has evolved and expanded. 

I’ve had the privilege of building high-performing teams, developing individuals, and exploring new sectors. Watching our people grow and thrive has been one of the highlights of my career. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m excited about the future.  

For me, the success of our team comes down to two key factors: people and integrity. 

First and foremost, it’s the people I work with. Recruitment is all about people, and that applies not just to our candidates and clients but also to the colleagues we surround ourselves with. Working alongside like-minded, driven individuals has been absolutely crucial to the success of the team. Together, we’ve built strong relationships, developed new business, and shared a collective ambition to exceed targets and be the best at what we do. 

The second factor is integrity. We work in an incredibly competitive industry, but it’s never about winning at all costs. Our team prides itself on doing things the right way – acting with honesty and professionalism in every interaction. This approach has been fundamental to building trust with our clients and candidates, and it’s ultimately driven our long-term success. 

Taking on the Compliance team has been such a rewarding experience and has allowed me to broaden my scope within the business, taking on more responsibility in a critical area. Compliance is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring we uphold the highest standards for our clients, candidates and the wider business.  

My focus has been on identifying areas where we can continually improve processes and streamline workflows to make us even better. It’s a team that thrives on precision and innovation, and it’s been amazing to collaborate with such talented individuals who are passionate about their work. 

One of the highlights this year has been seeing the team’s hard work and dedication recognised with two major award wins – Support Services Team of the Year at the APSCo Awards for Excellence, and Most Effective Compliance Operation at the Recruiter Awards. These are two huge achievements that reflect the expertise within the team. 

What’s really struck me is the passion and drive they have to constantly improve, they’re never satisfied with standing still and it’s amazing to see!  

To me, leadership is an ever-evolving role. It’s not something that can necessarily be taught, but it’s definitely something you can learn and grow into. At its core, I believe great leadership starts with being authentic, upfront, transparent, and a strong communicator. Those words might sound like clichés, but they’re what I look for in leaders. 

A good leader also genuinely cares for their people. It’s about knowing when to push, when to pull back, and how to support your team through both the highs and the lows. With the world changing so rapidly, and the pressures on individuals – both personally and professionally – greater than ever, it’s crucial to be attuned to that. 

For me, leadership is about creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and inspired to succeed when the pressure is intense. It’s about being someone they trust, someone who understands the challenges they’re facing, and ultimately, someone they want to follow. 

Yes, I am, and it’s something that I am incredibly proud of! Developing this part of my role and enhancing our CSR offering as a business has been a real highlight for me. When the committee was formed and needed a Board sponsor, it was easy to put myself forward. CSR aligns so closely with my personal values, and I couldn’t wait to get involved. 

What really stood out to me at the start was the enthusiasm of our employees to contribute, but many didn’t have the access or tools to do so. My main objective as Board sponsor has been to make CSR more accessible across the business, and I’m thrilled to see how far we’ve come. Through initiatives like fundraising, donating, environmental projects, and volunteering sessions, we’ve made it easier for everyone to get involved. 

In just the last two years, we’ve gone from doing no volunteering at all to being on track to surpass our target of 200 hours in the community this year alone. It’s a real testament to the passion of our people and how much they value making a difference. 

Work is no longer just about being sat at a desk. Employees want to feel part of something bigger, to contribute to causes they care about, whether that’s charity work, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), or wellbeing initiatives. I’m proud to help create opportunities for our team to do just that. 

Honestly, I think the best way to stay approachable and transparent is to just be yourself – as wishy-washy as that might sound! Anything else would feel too forced (at least with time it would) and probably have the opposite effect. 

For me, communication is key. Being consistent and clear with your message goes a long way in building trust and keeping that open-door feeling with your team. I also believe that leadership is never a solo effort. Having great people around you – people you trust and can rely on – makes all the difference. 

All things considered, leadership is about showing up authentically, staying connected with your team, and creating an environment where they feel supported and heard. 

The future is incredibly exciting for the Legal teams, the Compliance team, and the wider business! Our focus will remain on growth – not just as a team physically in numbers, but also as individuals. We’re committed to working closely with our people to understand their goals and aspirations, and supporting them in achieving those.

I’m looking forward to continuing to build on the strong foundations we’ve created, exploring new opportunities, and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together. It’s all about creating an environment where our team thrives, and watching that success ripple out to our clients and candidates. 

The possibilities feel endless, and I can’t wait to see what is to come!