Meet our People Development Lead: Cath Hempsall

Hi Cath! Congrats on becoming our new People Development Lead. You're known for your enthusiasm and energy, so it's great to have you in this role. You joined Brathay in 2019 — what brought you here?

I joined Brathay to project manage the Changing Culture Programme, an Arts Council England funded programme. It was one of 17 projects across the country to improve diversity in arts leadership and we recruited 19 participants to undertake a 2 year Diploma of Higher Education in Social Enterprise Leadership. This was supported with in-sector work placements, 121 mentoring sessions, 8 residentials focusing on self-awareness, self-management, leadership and business skills and a 5 day inspirational visit to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

Obviously running a programme like this during the Covid-19 pandemic posed some unexpected problems, but I’m really proud of our participants and it’s great to see them continuing to thrive in the arts sector in Cumbria and beyond.

We know being in the outdoors is important to you. What’s your favourite way to unwind outside of work?

Being out in nature, either on my own or with friends, hits the spot. It’s nice to mix it up in terms of the activity to keep it fresh, but there’s definitely cycling somewhere in there. People say we’re really lucky to live where we do — it’s not luck, it’s great life choices!

Brathay works with all sorts of organisations. But, is there common challenge you see them facing in today’s world?

Recruiting and retaining an appropriately skilled workforce continues to be a big challenge for the organisations we work with. There’s a recognition in the most future focused organisations that their people are their greatest asset and that investing heavily in them reaps massive rewards in business innovation, positive work culture and productivity.

We’re seeing a big move towards de-segregating apprenticeship and graduate groups and drawing them together in early careers programmes. There is a recognition that traditional routes to leadership roles in organisations don’t necessarily produce the best business outcomes.

Through our Early Careers Programmes, you’ve made a big impact on young professionals over the years. Is there a particular moment of someone’s development that stands out to you?

I think as facilitators we live for that lightbulb moment when a provocative or curious question sets off a new chain of thinking for a participant. For many of our young professionals who haven’t necessarily 'succeeded' in other education settings, that feeling of growing confidence that comes with skill mastery and positive reinforcement is huge.

I’m particularly proud of two of our alumni from Changing Cultures Programme, Josh and Josh, who used the business plan they wrote for one of the university modules to start their business Horizon Studios in Barrow. Now we commission them to work with our young people in the community — a great circular success!

And finally, if you were deserted on an island, what one thing could you not live without?

I’ll look forward to some quality fiction washing up on the shores occasionally — of course if that desert island had a library, it would be very hard to be rescued!

Looking to focus on the future of your organisation? Invest in your people through Early Careers Programmes or Executive Leadership Development Programmes.