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As we gear up to observe International Women’s Day on the 8 March, 2024, the spotlight is on ‘Fostering Inclusivity’. This year’s theme invites us to applaud the varied accomplishments of women whilst championing a world that espouses gender parity across all domains. To mark the occasion, UKAS interviews Operations Director, Lynsey Poyner, as we explore Lynsey’s career, and the demand for a more inclusive and equitable future, where every woman’s voice carries weight and is valued.
A career in quality
Lynsey plunged into the certification sector at the tender age of 20, fresh from university. Despite being uncertain about her career trajectory, she was clear about her interest in business administration and initially accepted a role at a Certification Body due to its favourable location!
On commencing her journey, she soon unearthed a fervour for the work. As a highly methodical and process-oriented person, Lynsey felt a strong connection with the realm of quality assurance, coupled with the gratification of securing a successful outcome for stakeholders from a customer service standpoint.
Lynsey recounts, “I realised quite early in my career that this was a domain I wanted to be involved in. I ended up writing to our CEO, expressing my desire to contribute more to the organisation. This bold (if unorthodox) step paid off, paving the way for many another opportunities.”
Lynsey fondly remembers the support she received in the early stages of her career, attributing her confidence to the nurturing environment that enabled her to grab and create opportunities for personal growth.
A nurturing beginning
Lynsey clarifies that although the certification industry might be perceived as predominantly male, her experience as a young and ambitious female was not often thwarted. “During my time in certification, many of the directors and senior management staff were women, making the industry feel far from restrictive for me as a woman.”
Lynsey stepped into a leadership role when she transitioned into an operational management role, with a regional management aspect. At this stage, Lynsey was just 26 and was managing a team comprising 80% men over the age of 50. Lynsey was a stark contrast to their former manager.
“I was a pure operations manager, and initially, this was more of a stumbling block than my gender,” Lynsey explains. “However, being a woman, and that too, at a young age, did present a secondary challenge. It took some time to earn their trust.”
Lynsey believes in letting her work speak for itself rather than striving to establish her credibility. Her ability to face these challenges with confidence, knowing that she would prove her worth through her performance, stems from the nurturing and supportive environment and strong female role models she had. Soon enough, Lynsey won her team over, developing successful relationships and learning valuable lessons about resilience and not taking rejection and resistance personally.
Invaluable female leadership
Leadership forms a vital aspect of Lynsey’s role. “I perceive my leadership style as collaborative. I prefer to include everyone in the journey rather than being dictatorial. The key to this approach is communication – understanding the perspectives of the team members and finding common ground,” she says.
At UKAS, Lynsey relies on the expertise of our competent section heads and operations managers. She values their opinions, and while she does not need to delve into every minute detail of their specific domains, she believes it is crucial to have enough knowledge to make informed decisions.
“Communication is key in instilling trust in my decision-making, ensuring I am well-informed to make those decisions,” Lynsey emphasises.
She is decisive, maintaining a balance between careful deliberation and action. She aspires to be as collaborative as possible, understanding that leadership can be less about actions and more about the manner of execution. “It’s about letting people understand who you are as a person and what is important to you,” she adds.
In her capacity as Operations Director, Lynsey prioritises completing assessment days to achieve the business plan goals. However, she believes that customer service should not be compromised for the sake of efficiency.
“In my role, it’s crucial to get those assessment days done. There is always a customer waiting for an outcome, and sometimes vital business outcomes may hinge on those decisions,” she explains.
Since joining UKAS, Lynsey has focused on understanding the end-to-end process, identifying problem areas, and finding solutions. As a leader, a significant part of her role involves bringing the wider team on board and helping them understand any changes that might have been implemented.
Work-life balance
When asked about managing her demanding career and personal life, Lynsey, a stepmother of two older children and mother to a three-year-old boy, says,
“I have always been very career-oriented, and I try to model that approach for all the children in our family. I believe it’s beneficial for a child to see a parent excel and build a good life for themselves and their families through drive and determination.”
Lynsey and her husband have mastered the art of balancing childcare and ensuring the children never miss out on anything, despite having two working parents. They share an equal relationship and meticulously plan their schedules to facilitate this.
On International Women’s Day
Lynsey believes International Women’s Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everyone’s achievements. She recognises the privilege of having had a career with organisations that nurtured and empowered her. She takes pride in being a female leader, and enjoys surprising others with her role.
“I’ve never found the fact that I am a woman to be a hindrance in my career. However, I do recognise that much of that is because I have been fortunate enough to have had a career with organisations that have nurtured me,” Lynsey says.
Advice to young women
Lynsey encourages young women considering a career in the quality sector to focus on their skills as individuals, not their gender.
“There are no limits anymore. Always focus on your skills as a person, not a gender. If you always advocate for your skills and what you can bring to the table, that will stand you in good stead,” she advises.