Anna Lane

1. What does your day-to-day role as a senior consultant look like?

I specialise in people change management; for example engaging people to ensure that a new HR or finance system, or broader transformational changes across an organisation are a success. Another focus is ensuring that the benefits of a programme are identified, measured and realised. One minute I could be developing a new change strategy for a client, and the next, I’m creating a communications plan to ensure that all stakeholders are involved and aware of how we’re going to deliver it.

2. What part of your role is most rewarding?

I’m a people person through and through, so developing good relationships with my clients is the best part of the job. It makes things much more enjoyable, and often results in a quicker turnaround time for work.

People don’t always understand what working in change management or benefits realisation means, so it’s important to explain to clients why it’s so essential. That shared understanding is extremely rewarding to me, and the feeling never tires.

3. What made you choose a career at Entec Si?

Two main things really stood out for me. Firstly, sharing the same values as a company has always been a priority for me in my career. I wanted to help make positive changes for people and their organisations and Entec Si allowed me to follow that passion.

Not only that, but as someone with a family I didn’t want to have to choose between my family life or my work life. A career at Entec Si has allowed me to be present in both aspects of my life and achieve true satisfaction in both.

4. What is your favourite memory of working at Entec Si?

There are two memories that spring to mind:

Developing our relationship with our charity partner Thrive – who offer therapeutic gardening programmes to people with health, social, or educational needs – has been so rewarding. We have spent lots of team days here weeding, digging and bonding.

A favourite memory has to be from the days during Covid when everyone was locked away and working from home, and we came together in support of Eman and Peter to create a compilation video of all the team singing ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. The team came together, had a bit of fun and it really put a smile on our faces in the process. Knowing you have a team around you that are going to pull together in the hard times is a fantastic feeling.

5. What has been your biggest career highlight?

That would have to be becoming a Prosci change practitioner, one of the world’s most popular change management certifications. From that I’ve been able to utilise the methodology into practice with a number of different clients, through a variety of different sectors, which have all achieved fantastic, long-lasting results. It’s definitely something I am extremely proud of.

6. Outside of work, what are your biggest passions in life?

I like to think I have lived my life to the fullest. A younger Anna would be telling you all about my skydives, travelling and diving experiences! My current chapter of life is a little less adrenaline-fueled and instead my passions are much closer to home. With a young family to care for, I love spending time making memories with my children and watching them grow up. However, on the rare occasion I do find myself with some child-free time you will certainly find me pottering around in the garden. Anything from wielding a hedge trimmer to getting creative with planting. Being able to sit back and enjoy the hard work you have put into something will never get old.

7. Have you got any advice for aspiring business consultants?

What people might not know is that it takes all sorts of attributes and skills to be a business change consultant. Personally, I come from a background in international development which is an entirely different sector. But the skills I have brought with me to this role have helped me to achieve great results for my clients and bring real value to the team. Just because your background doesn’t fit within the vague outlines of business consultancy, doesn’t mean your skills won’t be an asset to any team.