Culture, collaboration and empowerment

We interviewed Hodan Barltrop, Programme Director, Skills Alliance Enterprise on why she joined Skills Alliance Enterprise, and how the company has supported her professional development.

What is your current role at Skills Alliance?

As Programme Director overseeing workforce solutions, I lead strategic initiatives and drive operational excellence to deliver real and measurable value for our clients in the Life Sciences space. I work closely with stakeholders to design innovative and scalable solutions that address the ever-evolving challenges of workforce management.

At the heart of it, my role is about ensuring our clients have the right talent at the right time. By implementing streamlined workforce solutions, we empower these incredible organisations to focus on their bigger missions—whether that’s developing groundbreaking therapies or advancing patient care.

What initially attracted you to Skills Alliance and what was the deciding factor in your decision to join?

What initially drew me in was Skills’ innovative, forward-thinking approach to talent management. It felt like a place where fresh ideas weren’t just welcomed but celebrated, and I wanted to be a part of that. What sealed the deal for me, though, was the opportunity to support our growth into EMEA and help build something transformative through agility and innovation.

For me, it wasn’t just about joining a company, it was about being part of a mission to redefine what’s possible in workforce solutions. A space where I could drive meaningful change alongside a team of visionary thinkers felt like the perfect fit for where I wanted to take my career.

What aspects of your role do you find most rewarding, and how do they align with your personal or professional goals?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the ability to directly influence outcomes by designing tailored, effective solutions. Seeing the tangible impact of our efforts on our clients never gets old and I love that I can make a real difference—every day feels like a step toward something bigger.

This work aligns perfectly with my goals of driving positive change and delivering high-value workforce solutions. But it’s more than that, it’s about creating solutions that don’t just meet the needs of today but set our clients up for long-term success. There’s a sense of purpose in knowing that what we’re building together has a lasting impact and contributes to the long-term success of both the organization and its people.

What keeps you motivated and engaged at work, and what role does the company culture play in that?

I’ve always been driven by the idea that the work we do can have ripple effects beyond meeting rooms and knowing that what we do behind the scenes helps enable life-changing innovations is the best part of the job. There’s great satisfaction in seeing our clients thrive and when they succeed, it feels like we’ve all won.

Our company culture plays a huge role in this. It’s collaborative and innovative, fostering an environment where I feel empowered. There’s an openness here that makes it easy to share ideas and experiment with new approaches, and I personally thrive in this kind of setting. The fast-paced, dynamic nature of the work also keeps me on my toes—in the best way possible. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn, grow, and create.

How has the company supported your professional development, and what future opportunities are you excited about?

The company has been instrumental in supporting my personal and professional growth by providing opportunities to lead complex projects and take on responsibilities that challenge me.

I’m grateful to have been trusted with projects that require both strategic vision and operational precision, and each project feels like an opportunity to not only contribute but to really leave my mark.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about exploring new ways to innovate and enhance our offerings and continuing to build programs that support the people who make these life-changing innovations possible. I’m also excited to see how we adapt to future trends and in particular, how emerging technologies can optimise workforce solutions. The world is changing fast, and I’m excited to be part of a company that’s shaping the future of work.