As a talent acquisition partner, Katy Cannadine knows that supporting colleagues is crucial to ensuring they hit the ground running. Since joining Capita, she’s learned first-hand how important that support can be for her own career and in empowering others to succeed, no matter their background.
Katy spoke to us about progressing her career and building the networks that help others progress too.
I feel very privileged in the position I’m in as I get to make an impact on inclusivity in my day-to-day role. Our team is responsible for the successful onboarding of new employees into Capita and nurturing the internal talent we have within the business. While we don’t make a direct impact on our customers, Capita is the sum of its people and our team takes pride in finding and supporting talent into Capita. We work hard to create a diverse workforce that is inclusive and focused on bringing better outcomes to our customers and communities.
I engage with talent at all levels, within all communities. I’m passionate about supporting marginalised and under-represented groups, including the neurodivergent community and military community, both of which I am part of. I support candidates with interview preparation and make sure I understand not only what our hiring team is asking, but what our candidates are asking for too. I don’t just fill open vacancies, I look at how we can attract and retain people for longer periods, how we can engage different communities and build a diverse team.
I’m very fortunate that I work in a well-established team with professional, driven individuals that have a wealth of knowledge and experience that I can draw on. My manager is so supportive and my team have been there, during more difficult times, as a sounding board. When my husband was deployed last year with the military, they listened, tried to understand how it impacted me and offered invaluable support so I didn't feel so alone.
The sky’s the limit
I started at Capita in April 2022 as an associate talent acquisition partner. In October 2023, I went for a secondment role in learning and development. I was successful in interview so spent a few months learning from the head of learning and development – it was really interesting. I’ve since been promoted to talent acquisition partner and I feel like I'm flying now!
In 2023 I had a career coach through Capita, which was an incredible experience. I feel like I gained so much confidence and it’s helped me to see my career path more clearly. I’m really happy where I am at the moment. I’m part of some valuable and insightful projects and supporting with some super interesting hiring initiatives. I’d like to nurture and grow my skills and eventually take a management position at Capita when the time is right.
Making time for connection
I’m also a part of the Capita ENG Family Network. In 2022, I set up a neurodivergent chapter within the Family Network – creating a safe space for our members to discuss life with neurodivergence within the family. I felt that we needed to create an environment where we could openly discuss the effects of neurodiverse families, offer support to each other and build connections with each other at Capita. It was a fantastic initiative and every month we came together to discuss a whole range of subjects from schooling, diagnosis and family dynamics to everything in between.
I’m now in the middle of creating a Military Family Network within our Family Network ENG for anybody with family in the military – whether you’re a military spouse, a reservist, a veteran, a parent of the military or a cadet. I hope to create an opportunity for more connection at Capita.
I’ve always belonged, I just didn’t know it
Being a part of an ENG has helped me find my voice – and realise that I do belong, at Capita but also in the world. This is a far cry from my teenage self. As a neurodivergent individual, I’ve always felt different. When I joined Capita, I slowly began to start being myself. In my team, my voice is always heard and even though I think differently to everyone in my team, I feel that my voice, my ideas and my input is valued. I’m able to take on large projects, work on passion projects, get involved in interesting and inclusive conversations and network with people at all levels.
One of the most important projects I’ve worked on is in supporting military spouses into work at Capita. Although I work in Capita Technology & Software Solutions, I’ve been able to support military spouses into roles in other areas like Capita Public Service and Capita Experience. I’ve been supporting military spouses and veterans into work for several years, even before I worked at Capita. Now, I’m able to use my voice to educate the business and make change happen. And we’ve seen a huge rise in military spouses applying for jobs here, so I can see my impact.
As a carer, neurodivergent, parent and military spouse, life can feel hectic, and I used to feel that I couldn’t balance everything. Since I started my role at Capita and dropped the commute from my day, I can now carve time out to do things that make me happy. I take time out to do the things I love. I’ve just completed a foundation degree in creative writing, which is something I never thought I would be able to do. I get up before everybody in my house to ensure my wellbeing needs are met – and in this time I write. By getting up early, I feel that I’ve put my best foot forward for the day.
