Can you describe yourself in three words?
People often describe me as fun, bubbly and outgoing. From a work perspective I am also pragmatic, organised and thoughtful. I really value understanding people as individuals and taking their personal circumstances into account when supporting them.
You went to Robert Gordon University to study Human Resource Management. When did you realise this was the path you wanted to take?
In my final year of school, I was still unsure about what I wanted to do next. Thankfully my secondary school had a partnership with Kerr McGee (now Maersk Oil), which gave me the opportunity to complete a work experience placement there. After leaving school, they offered me a job, and I spent nearly two years with the company.
During that time, one of their Business Directors suggested I would be well suited to a career in Human Resources (HR). Although it wasn’t something I had previously considered, her encouragement led me to study at Robert Gordon University.
As part of my course, I completed a placement year with CNR International. With two coordinators having recently left the department, I was thrown in at the deep end from day one, gaining first-hand experience across all areas of HR, including recruitment, training and competency and employee relations. While it felt intense at the time, looking back I can see how invaluable that year was, and I’m extremely grateful for that opportunity.
After graduating, I joined a recruitment firm specialising in HR roles, which gave me a broader insight into the industry. While I don’t currently hold my CIPD qualification, the experience I’ve gained over the years means I could now achieve it though accreditation. This feels both exciting and a reminder of how far I’ve come in my career!
How did your career path lead you to your role at TauRx?
I joined TauRx shortly after having my first daughter seven years ago when I was looking for a part-time role. I was immediately drawn to the position because of the work the company does. Almost everyone you speak to has some kind of connection to Alzheimer’s disease, and the chance to be part of something so meaningful really stood out to me.
At the same time, I was ready for a change from the oil and gas industry, especially after the downturn. It felt like the right time to try something different, and this role offered the opportunity to apply my existing knowledge and experience in a new industry.
Tell us about your first role as HR Advisor, and your current position as People and Culture Advisor
My role has evolved naturally alongside the needs of the company. When I first joined, TauRx had a much smaller workforce, and the HR team consisted of just Lynn, our People and Culture (P&C) Director, and myself.
As the company has grown, so has our team and our function has since evolved into the P&C team we have today.
Over the past few years my counterpart Julie and I have taken on responsibility for the day-to-day support across the business, working closely with employees and line managers. We each look after different functions, which helps create the capacity for Lynn to focus on the strategic aspects of the business as part of the senior leadership team.
Although we’re a busy team, we stay closely connected. If someone needs help and their main contact isn’t available, any of us in the P&C team can step in and provide support.
What has been the main highlight of working at TauRx so far?
Seeing how far the company has come has been incredibly rewarding. When I first joined, we were right in the middle of the clinical trials, and there was a lot of uncertainty about what the future might hold. To now be at the stage where the trials are complete and the MHRA application has been submitted is incredible.
While I may only play a small part in the wider process, it feels very special to be part of the team that has helped bring TauRx to this point. I’m excited to see how we continue to develop and grow as a company.
What are the top priorities for your role at TauRx in the year ahead?
Our key priority within the P&C team is to keep the business running smoothly, while supporting both line managers and employees in the best way we can. Whether an issue is work related or more personal, our role is to provide support.
From an HR perspective, we're also preparing for a number of legislative changes expected next year when the new Employee Rights Bill is approved, introducing day one rights for employees and strengthening harassment rules. Once these are confirmed, we'll be updating the TauRx staff handbook and ensuring the appropriate processes are in place.
What is the best professional advice you can give, or you have been given?
Always treat others the way you would want to be treated. This closely reflects the P&C approach that when you lead with kindness, it is often met in return.
We all have difficult days, but it's important those moments don't influence how we speak to one another. At the end of the day, we're all human and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and understanding.
Tell us something about yourself that would be a surprise to most people
Outside of TauRx, you’ll often find me treading the boards at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen as part of the Lyric Musical Society. We put on a show at His Majesty's Theatre each year, and it's very much my passion, even with three young children at home and limited spare time.
My journey with musical theatre began at university when I joined the Aberdeen Student Show. That was my first experience performing at His Majesty’s Theatre and I loved it so much, I joined Lyric straight after graduating. I’ve now been involved for over 15 years. Although I haven’t been on stage since 2023, I’ve remained active on the committee and I’m excited to be returning this year for our June production of the Queen smash We Will Rock You.
Balancing rehearsals with work and family life isn't always easy. Every Tuesday before rehearsals, there’s that familiar moment when I wonder how I’ll manage it all. But once I’m there, I feel completely energised.
I think this passion influences who I am at work as well. Colleagues often describe me as upbeat and bubbly, and I believe my love for theatre plays a part in that. It’s become increasingly clear after the pandemic how important those small moments of human connection are. Whether it’s chatting face-to-face or taking time to support one another as people, not just colleagues.
While theatre and TauRx might seem like very different aspects of my life, they share something important: bringing people together towards a shared purpose. At lyric, we talk about our “Lyric family” and I feel that at TauRx too. We’re all working towards something meaningful together, and even on the busiest days, it’s reassuring to remember that we’re one team.
Cast members from the 2023 Lyric Musical Society production of Kinky Boots at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen.
