Rachel: Let's start with your background. What initially led you to join CloserStill?

Caroline: Gosh, it’s been quite a journey. I started my career in retail after studying fashion and business management with a minor in psychology. Initially, I was focused on sales, but I quickly realized my passion was in developing people rather than just selling products. At Nordstrom, I was fortunate to have some incredible mentors who taught me the importance of internal growth and team development. That experience set the stage for my future roles, where I focused on managing specialized teams and helping them grow. After a stint at Bonobos in New York, which was both challenging and rewarding, I transitioned into a role that allowed me to focus even more on people development.

Rachel: That’s quite the shift! What was your experience like managing the flagship store for Bonobos in Manhattan?

Caroline: It was amazing, but it was also the most challenging experience of my career. New Yorkers have a unique way of working, and it was the first time I had to deal with psychological safety and vulnerability as a leader. I had to learn to be more transparent and open with my team, which was a huge growth opportunity for me. It was also where I really honed my skills in learning and development, creating career paths and competency frameworks from scratch, which eventually led me to focus entirely on people development.

Rachel: What brought you to London and ultimately to CloserStill?

Caroline: My husband’s job brought us to London after COVID, and I took on a remote role helping to build HR functions for a company that I had worked with previously in the U.S. However, being remote didn’t allow me to integrate fully into the company’s culture, so I decided to seek new opportunities in London. That’s when I came across CloserStill. Honestly, I didn’t fully understand what the company did at first—selling exhibitions was a new concept to me—but after speaking with Stephanie (HR Director), it became clear that there was a real hunger for learning and development here. Her passion for the company’s growth hooked me.

Rachel: What were your first impressions of CloserStill, and what do you see as your biggest challenges?

Caroline: My first impression was that there’s a lot of potential here. The company is global, and the scope for growth is immense. However, the biggest challenge is prioritising what to tackle first. There’s so much hunger for development, but I must be careful not to take on too much at once. Another challenge is building trust with the team and ensuring that I can provide the right support while setting boundaries.

Rachel: Are there any trends in Learning and Development (L&D) that you’re noticing, especially for the next 12 months?

Caroline: Interestingly, I’m seeing a resurgence of old-school themes like time management and basic workplace skills. The latest influx of the workforce is missing out on some of the foundational skills that previous generations picked up naturally. I think we’re going to see a combination of relearning these basics while also adapting to new ways of working, like hybrid environments. I’m a big fan of ‘nugget training’—short, impactful sessions that can be easily digested and applied.

Rachel: How do you envision working with the wider workforce at CloserStill? How can employees get involved in L&D initiatives?

Caroline: I 100% want the employees to be very involved. Collaboration is key, especially since I don’t come from an exhibitions background. I need their expertise to help shape the training programmes. If someone has a skill they think would benefit others, I want them to approach me. This is about leveraging internal talent and making sure everyone feels recognised for their unique contributions.

Rachel: Can you give us a sneak peek of what’s coming up in terms of training?

Caroline: The next big focus is on transition to management. We’re aiming to launch a programme in September for new managers, covering everything from effective communication to performance management and leading with empathy. We’ll also be rolling out psychological safety training and working on global onboarding to ensure consistency across all regions. The goal is to have a robust management training programme in place before the end of the year.

Rachel: Switching gears a bit, what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Caroline: Outside of work, most of my time is spent with my daughter, Tinsley, who is involved in everything, and my husband of course. I’m also a big fan of exploring new places, whether it’s a secret dinner in London, a pub crawl, or traveling around Europe. I love adventure and try to visit around seven new countries a year.

Rachel: You’ve had such a diverse and unique career path. What advice would you give to others at CloserStill regarding their careers?

Caroline: My biggest piece of advice is to go for what you want, even if you don’t feel fully qualified. Especially for women, there’s often a tendency to hold back if we don’t meet every single requirement. But it’s important to focus on your skill set, not just your job title, and to be confident in what you bring to the table. Don’t be afraid to push for what you want and go after it relentlessly.