Last week was a big one. One of those rare weeks where you have to stop, breathe deeply, and properly take stock.

I was absolutely honoured to receive the Judges Award at the unLTD Business Awards, and in the very same week, I also qualified as a Solution Focused Practitioner. A business award and a professional qualification in one week feels slightly surreal – but I’m incredibly proud.

Whilst these two moments are separate, together they represent the same theme: growth – personal growth, professional development, and the continued evolution of Benchmark as a people consultancy.

This Time Last Year: Confidence, Burnout, and Perspective

This time last year, I couldn’t even bring myself to submit an application for the unLTD Business Awards.

I had collapsed in October, was in therapy, and my confidence was almost non-existent. I didn’t trust my judgement, felt like I’d failed, and was completely disconnected from the version of myself I wanted and needed to be.

Looking back now, it’s interesting. I still attended the awards last year. There are photos of me smiling with friends, but like so many people in business, I was struggling quietly behind the scenes.

Despite feeling so unwell, Benchmark Recruit was still performing well. Clients were supported, relationships nurtured, and the work continued, even when I couldn’t recognise my own resilience at the time.

Professional Development and Qualifying as a Solution-Focused Practitioner

Despite all my intentions going into 2025, the year hasn’t been straightforward.

Alongside rebuilding my confidence, I committed to significant professional development. Running a business whilst studying to qualify as a Solution Focused Practitioner was intense. I take my hat off to anybody else juggling study and work. It’s demanding, overwhelming at times, but deeply rewarding.

This qualification allows me to formally support individuals and organisations not only with careers and recruitment, but also with coaching, wellbeing, confidence, and navigating change, using a structured, forward-focused, and evidence-based approach.

It strengthens the work we do through Benchmark Pathways, supporting people in a way that feels ethical, human, and genuinely impactful.

How Benchmark Has Evolved into a People Consultancy

Over the past year, Benchmark has evolved naturally, and beautifully, if I do say so myself, into a people consultancy supporting businesses and individuals across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

Benchmark’s services now include:

• Recruitment consultancy across Sheffield and South Yorkshire
• 1:1 coaching
• 1:1 solution-focused therapy sessions
• Group sessions and workshops tailored to business needs
• Fractional Head of People support
• Fractional coaching and training

I feel incredibly lucky to balance my passions — working strategically with businesses to strengthen their teams, while also supporting individuals on a 1:1 basis to build confidence, resilience, and clarity.

What Winning the Judges Award Represents

Winning the Judges Award isn’t about a single achievement.

For me, it represents resilience, growth, and values-led leadership. It reflects a year of patience, self-compassion, and honesty – learning when to slow down, ask for help, and trust myself again.

To receive this recognition in the same week as qualifying felt deeply symbolic. A quiet confirmation that the work I’ve been doing, both internally and professionally, genuinely matters.

Gratitude, Community, and Support

None of this happens in isolation.

I’ve been supported, encouraged, and believed in by an extraordinary group of people – my partner, friends, family, clients, and peers across the business community. They have gently reminded me of who I am on the days I’ve temporarily forgotten. I am endlessly grateful.

Looking Ahead to 2026

I don’t feel the need to make bold declarations about the year ahead.

What I do know is that I’ve laid strong foundations in 2025 to make 2026 even better. I’ve never felt more grounded, clear or energised, and I’m confident in the future direction of Benchmark.

At an end-of-year peer session last year, we were asked to summarise the year in one word. I chose two:

Community and Friendship.

They’re my words for this year, too.