When Cecilia Brice joined Phenna Group in January 2024 as an HR Business Partner, she was looking for an opportunity that would offer variety, challenge and the chance to learn from experienced colleagues. More than two years later, she has built a rewarding career supporting the Group's Infrastructure Division and helping leaders and employees navigate growth and change.
Building a Career in People
Before joining Phenna Group, Cecilia built her career across a range of sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, energy and education. However, her people-focused approach was shaped much earlier, during more than 12 years in retail management, where she led large teams in fast-paced environments.
"Retail taught me how to manage diverse teams, navigate challenging situations and make decisions in fast-paced environments. Those skills have stayed with me throughout my HR career and continue to be incredibly valuable today."
A significant turning point came during maternity leave when Cecilia decided to complete her CIPD Level 5 qualification. The combination of formal HR training and practical leadership experience gave her the foundation to progress through a variety of HR roles and eventually into business partnering.
Joining Phenna Group
What attracted Cecilia to Phenna Group was the opportunity to work across a diverse range of businesses while learning from an experienced HR team.
"I could see there would be a lot of variety in the role and a great opportunity to learn quickly. Working alongside the Group HR team was a huge draw because of the knowledge and experience they bring."
Since joining the Group, Cecilia's role has evolved into a dedicated HR Business Partner position supporting the Infrastructure Division. Working closely with divisional leadership teams, she helps align people priorities with business objectives while supporting employee relations, organisational change, leadership development and continuous improvement initiatives.
Growing Through Experience
One of the aspects Cecilia enjoys most about her role is the opportunity to work with a wide range of businesses, each with its own culture, challenges and ways of operating.
Alongside her day-to-day HR responsibilities, Cecilia has also supported acquisition and integration activities across the Infrastructure Division, giving her valuable experience of organisational change and business growth.
"Having worked across multiple sectors throughout my career, I've developed the ability to quickly understand different operating styles, challenges and cultures. That experience helps me build trust with leaders and support them in a way that adds real value."
Like many careers, Cecilia's journey has not been without challenges. Supporting multiple businesses while maintaining a consistent approach has required resilience, adaptability and strong relationship-building skills. These experiences have helped her grow professionally and develop confidence in supporting leaders through periods of change.
Why Phenna?
For Cecilia, Phenna Group's culture has played a key role in her development.
"Through the trust and responsibility you're given, you can gain a huge amount of experience in a short space of time. It's a great environment for people who are proactive and open to learning."
Her advice to anyone looking to build their career within the Group is simple:
"Be proactive and take opportunities when they come up. It's a fast-paced environment, but you'll learn a huge amount. Building strong relationships and understanding how the business works will help you succeed."
A Different Route to HR
One thing many colleagues may not know is that Cecilia originally studied Knitwear Design and worked in the fashion industry, including roles in New York and London, before moving into HR.
It's a reminder that careers don't always follow a straight line and that diverse experiences often provide the strongest foundation for future success.
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