We’re delighted to welcome Jane Smith to MacIntyre as our new Director of People. Jane joined us on 13 April in a newly created role that brings together teams with a significant impact on colleagues across the organisation. The role has been designed to strengthen capacity and enable our operational directors to focus on their priorities, supporting delivery of MacIntyre’s future strategic plans.
We caught up with Jane to find out more about her background, what attracted her to MacIntyre, and her plans for the role.
What attracted you to MacIntyre?
I am genuinely excited to be here. I was drawn to MacIntyre because of its DNA and clear purpose, and the opportunity to help ensure we have the colleagues, skills and leadership we need, not just for today, but for the future too.
What really stood out to me was the opportunity to build on what is already working well, strengthen the people agenda, and help close the gaps that can make things harder over time, whether that’s workforce planning, growing capability, talent and succession, engagement, or simply making it easier for everyone to do their best work.
Most importantly, all of that matters because it helps create the conditions for MacIntyre to support people to live gloriously ordinary lives now and long into the future.
Can you tell us about your career and experience?
I’ve spent my career working in people and organisational roles across a range of large, complex and purpose-driven organisations, often at executive level. A consistent thread throughout my career has been a focus on building capability in organisations where colleagues are critical to delivering the mission.
I’ve always been particularly drawn to environments that are complex and evolving, where there is an opportunity to bring teams together, strengthen leadership and management, and ensure the organisation is set up for long-term success.
Some of the most defining experiences in my career have come from working across very different cultures and contexts, including time spent living and working in Asia. That has really shaped my perspective on leadership - particularly the importance of context, environment and non-verbal communication in how people experience work and connect with each other.
What will you be focusing on in your first few months?
My initial focus is on listening and understanding. That means spending time with colleagues across MacIntyre, visiting and talking to people and really understanding what helps people succeed and what can sometimes get in the way.
From there, it’s about building a clear picture of what we should protect, where we can strengthen further and where we need to prepare for the future. I’m particularly interested in how we continue to build capability, grow skills and leadership, and ensure our systems and ways of working genuinely enable people to do their best work.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe my style as collaborative, practical and focused on impact. I’m interested in outcomes, but also in how we get there - working with people in a way that is open, down to earth and low ego.
It’s important to me that people feel able to contribute, challenge and help shape the direction, and that we create an environment where everyone can do their best work.
What does success look like to you in this role?
For me, success is about colleagues feeling engaged, confident and fulfilled in their roles and equipped not just for today but for the future.
If we can create an environment where people feel supported, where leadership is strong, and where the organisation is set up to sustain itself over time, then that will enable MacIntyre to continue delivering on its mission in the years ahead.
And finally, a bit about you…
Outside work, I love to travel and have been fortunate to live and work across Asia and Eastern Europe, which has had a lasting influence on me. I’m particularly interested in Eastern philosophies: the idea of collective wellbeing and the connection between mind and body, including Ayurvedic principles.
I enjoy spending time outdoors and being in nature, which helps me reset and recharge. I’m also really interested in technology and how it can improve lives, although I equally value switching off and having a proper tech detox when I can.
And a slightly less well-known fact: this is actually my third time living in Milton Keynes. It’s somewhere my family and I have chosen to come back to because we genuinely love it as a place to call home.
