CAROLINE AWORTH

The book that changed everything

My route into HR started in a second-hand bookshop. I picked up an old textbook called Work Psychology and became fascinated by how people think, behave and interact at work. That single moment sparked something in me and led me to study Occupational Psychology at Masters level.

From there, a career in HR felt like the natural next step. What still interests me now is exactly what interested me then, people are endlessly fascinating. Every organisation is different. Every team dynamic is different. Every challenge brings something new. That’s why I’ve never found this career dull for even a second.

Experience that matters

HR is one of those professions where experience really counts. You can learn the theory, but the real expertise comes from working with people through all kinds of situations over time. I often say HR skills age like a fine wine. The more situations you work through, the better equipped you are to support clients with confidence and empathy.

Over the years, I’ve built broad experience across the full HR spectrum. I’ve supported businesses through growth, restructuring, appeals, wellbeing challenges, difficult conversations and crisis situations. I know that clients rarely come looking for HR support when everything feels easy. Usually, they need practical advice, calm guidance and someone they can trust to help them find the best way forward. That’s where I come in.

Working with all kinds of businesses

One of the best parts of my role is the variety. My client portfolio includes organisations across a wide range of industries and sectors. I work with charities, family-run businesses, SMEs and organisations in sectors including oil and gas.

Every business has its own culture, pressures and priorities. I enjoy getting to know what makes each organisation tick, so I can offer advice that works in the real world, not just on paper. No copy-and-paste solutions. No jargon. Just practical support tailored to the people involved.

Communication comes first

If there’s one thing I value most when building relationships with clients, it’s communication. Good communication in a human way. People don’t want cold, robotic HR advice. They want honest conversations. They want someone who listens properly, understands the bigger picture and explains things clearly.

Building trust matters to me. Once that trust is there, you can work through even the most difficult situations together. I recently supported a senior leader through a particularly complex appeal process. Time was limited, and the pressure was high, but by quickly building a strong working relationship, we were able to work collaboratively and deliver a thorough and effective outcome. That ability to build rapport quickly is something I really value in my work.

Supporting people through difficult moments

Some of the most challenging moments in HR are the deeply human ones. One experience that has stayed with me was supporting a team after the tragic loss of a colleague. Managing the emotional impact across the organisation was incredibly difficult, both professionally and personally.

Situations like that remind you that HR is about far more than policies and processes. It’s about people dealing with real life. Empathy is important, but knowing how to turn empathy into meaningful support takes experience, resilience and care. That experience shaped the way I work and reinforced how important it is to support both individuals and organisations with compassion and clarity.

Breaking the HR stereotype

One misconception I’d love to change is the idea that HR is just there to tell people off. Good HR should never feel like a barrier. For me, HR is about helping people and businesses work better together. It’s about solving problems early, supporting leaders, improving communication and helping organisations create environments where people can succeed.

Yes, sometimes there are difficult conversations. But there are also opportunities to improve culture, develop people, strengthen teams and support wellbeing. That broader impact is what makes the role so rewarding.