Leading with Purpose: A Case Study and Q&A with KX Recruit’s Social Hub Lead for International Women’s Day 2024
Introduction
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8th March, stands as a global tribute to the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. In the world of recruitment and employment services, female leaders like Chloe Tarrant-Stanton embody resilience and determination. On International Women’s Day, we explore Chloe’s career journey, from her entry-level beginnings to managerial heights. The KX Recruit team is formed entirely of women, Chloe being the leader. Through her career, we see the power of ambition and perseverance, highlighting the importance of diversity and fairness in the workplace. Join us in celebrating Chloe’s success – a source of inspiration for women in the recruitment industry and beyond, and a reminder of the value of inclusive workplaces where everyone thrives.
Chloe’s Story
Chloe Tarrant-Stanton introduces herself as a proud native of Camden, having spent 30 years in a single-parent household and attending Parliament Hill School. Her current role is Social Hub Lead at KX Recruit, where she actively shapes the company’s future direction. Beyond her professional commitments, Chloe is a proud mother to her sassy 10-year-old, who also happens to be a student in Camden.
At KX Recruit, Chloe leads “a team of three formidable women” dedicated to supporting the residents of Camden and Islington in accessing job and training opportunities on and around the King’s Cross Estate. Her role involves building initial relationships with employers and crafting the broader strategic direction for the company. Through her leadership, Chloe ensures that the team remains focused on empowering individuals within the community, facilitating connections between job seekers and potential employers, and driving initiatives to further the company’s mission and impact.
Growing up in Camden, Chloe is proud of her roots and cultural identity. Camden’s diversity was enriching and made her childhood unique. However, the borough’s challenges, including gang issues and conflicts, some involving acquaintances, became a driving force which has influenced her career path towards supporting her community. Despite growing up in a council estate with financial difficulties, Chloe describes how this was never felt amongst her peers: this sense of unity motivates her to support others from Camden and Islington who face similar challenges.
“We were a community which made me feel like we are all the same.”
In school, Chloe reflects on enjoying learning and being naturally academic, albeit with a tendency to procrastinate until the last minute. Despite encountering medical struggles that occasionally kept her away from school, she remained committed to completing her coursework on time. Achieving 5 GCSEs came as a pleasant surprise to her despite the obstacles she faced, which she takes great pride in.
As a child, Chloe dreamed of becoming a vet due to her naturally caring nature, although she hesitated due to the thought of performing operations and the temptation to take all the animals home with her. In comparison to her childhood dream job, her current role exhibits a similar element of caring for others. Despite her busy schedule, Chloe strives to be kind and assist others whenever possible, shifting her focus from animals to people. This transition underscores her enduring commitment to compassion and support, aligning her childhood aspirations with her present-day endeavours in a different yet equally meaningful way.
“The element of caring for others is still there – I always strive to be kind and help someone even when I’m up against my own challenges and have a busy schedule – instead of animals, it’s people.”
While she faced pressure from school advising that university was necessary for meaningful careers, she questioned the rationale, especially coming from a family with no university background. Instead, she valued the advice to work hard toward her goals and to maintain positive relationships – “never burn bridges” – recognising the importance of perseverance and interpersonal connections in her journey. Chloe recalls minimal career advice or support from school, with just one career advice session throughout the entire year, which surprised her given the emphasis placed on education as a path to one’s dream job. However, during her work experience at The Metropolitan Police, chosen primarily for fun, she tapped into her Camden upbringing and observed flaws within the system, inspiring her to envision and help make change.
“The work experience at police station made me realise there are lots of things wrong with the system”
Chloe’s first job was as a market stall trader in Camden, where she worked at a small market on Plender Street and Queen Crescent Market. Initially starting on a shoe stall, her love for shoes led to unsustainable purchases with her pay. Transitioning to a fruit and vegetable stall, she stepped out of her comfort zone, learning to attract customers the old school method by shouting rhymes. Being the sole female worker on the market, Chloe encountered challenges, teaching her to assert herself and navigate diverse situations. Her job demanded long hours, from 6am to 6pm, regardless of weather conditions, reinforcing her resilience and work ethic from an early age.
Chloe’s career journey took her from the market stalls to her current role through diverse experiences. Initially, she found herself signing on at Kentish Town Job Centre and stumbled upon a leaflet advertising a new opening for Premier Inn. Her infectious smile landed her the job, and over eight years, she worked her way up from a Reception Team Member to the position of Deputy Hotel Manager. Chloe loved her time with Premier Inn, however, the challenging schedule didn’t support her responsibilities as a single mother, leading to her decision to leave the position.
Chloe at Premier Inn
The Recruitment Account Manager role at KX Recruit came to Chloe’s attention through her manager at Premier Inn, who pointed out the opportunity. Intrigued by the prospect, Chloe decided to explore further. Chloe was initially drawn to the Recruitment Account Manager role at KX Recruit due to the abundance of transferable skills she identified in the job description and the more manageable hours it offered, aligning better with her responsibilities as a single parent. Chloe spent 4.5 years in the Recruitment Account Manager decision, before the Social Hub Lead opportunity became available.
For Chloe, the decision to apply for the Social Hub Lead role at KX Recruit stemmed from her innate desire to give back to the community and her proficiency in the social value sector. She recognized the opportunity to make a tangible difference by creating employment opportunities for her community, aligning perfectly with her values and aspirations.
“I never had a career plan, but I knew giving back to the community and being in the social value sector is something I’m good at. What better way to help the community move forward than to be in the role and help create employment opportunities for my community?”
Acknowledgements from the team at KX Recruit
“An extraordinary leader, she not only leads by example but also by heart. With an incredibly bright mind and a soul deeply connected to the community’s heartbeat, she inspires us to reach new heights while never losing sight of the ground we stand on.”
“Although I’m new to the team, Chloe has made me feel so included and she has made it very clear that there are so many opportunities here for me and that she’s fully behind me no matter what. She’s been incredibly supportive and friendly and I can’t wait to work more with her.”
“Chloe is an amazing female leader who inspires and supports me. It’s not just about the professional guidance she provides, ultimately she is a friend who really cares about her team and understands our needs as people, reminding us that the people you see in leadership positions are human too. I don’t think she realises how much we value all that she does for us.”
International Women’s Day Q&A
Is there a particular female figure that inspires you?
“My mum – by far the strongest woman, and further to that the strongest person that I’ve met in my life – always be kind, work hard and stay humble. Showed me when the odds are stacked against you that there is always a way to get through and a light at the end of the tunnel. I can always achieve anything I put my mind to.”
What do you think makes a great leader?
“Empathy and understanding that your team are humans with their own lives. Leading with legacy in mind – should always think about the pipeline talent – what development can I help my team with for their own career progression. Clear direction – what is our purpose and our mission, and mapping out a clear path to get there.”
Describe the pros and cons of being a woman in a management role?
“Some of the pros would be that women often excel in communication and empathy which can foster a positive work environment. Another pro is being a role model and inspiring other women to pursue a leadership role in their careers. In terms of cons, I’d say facing gender bias and stereotypes and also work life balance challenges, especially if you are a parent. I think juggling work life and home life can be a bit tricky sometimes.”
Describe what it is like being a woman leader in the recruitment industry?
“Being a female leader in our industry is very rewarding – I think being a woman of colour in a leadership role is already breaking generational stereotypes! It’s inspired me to explore mentoring young women and using my position to support the future generation of female leaders.”
Looking back, what are the most valuable skills that you’ve developed throughout your career? How have your experiences contributed to the role you are in now?
“I definitely developed resilience skills in my early career working on the market stall. It’s not for the faint-hearted to be outdoors from 6am to 6pm no matter the weather. It was also a very male-orientated environment which helped me to navigate through certain situations as the only girl on the market. I think over the years through various job roles I’ve really developed my empathy skills and conflict management which I think are invaluable skills to attain when it comes to being a leader and in any customer-facing role regardless of your position.” and “All of my work experience in some way, shape or form has contributed to who I am today, whether that’s my first job on the market stall or the work experiences I did with the Metropolitan Police, they’ve all played a part in shaping who I am as a person and as a leader.”
Speaking of our industry, how important is gender equality in workplaces?
“It’s important for a number of reasons. It can lead to increased productivity and economic growth: when women have access to education, employment opportunities or leadership roles, they can contribute their skills, talents and perspectives to drive creativity and business success overall. In addition, I think if more companies prioritise gender equality then they are more likely to attract and retain top talent. The labour market has changed and I feel that it’s not just the hours or the salary that attract somebody to a role – it’s more about the company culture, diversity and inclusion being a core part of that.”
Do you have any advice for aspiring women who are worried to take the next step in their career?
“Don’t be afraid to go for what you want. Whether that’s pursuing your dream job or putting yourself forward for that important promotion – don’t stand in your own way. In my opinion, there is no job that a man can do that a woman can’t do, and vice versa!”
Any other comments?
“Over time there have been some great improvements in terms of promoting gender equality but I think there is still a long way to go – something that is close to my heart is women supporting women and being our own cheerleaders. Go to those networking events, mingle with other female leaders, reach out and ask for those mentoring opportunities – you may be pleasantly surprised. Happy International Women’s Day everybody!”
