We’re pulling back the curtain and putting Ellie, our incredible MD, in the hot seat! From work wisdom to guilty pleasures (and some surprising confessions!), get ready for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes peek at the woman steering the ship in Australia.
And can you believe… she finds public speaking nerve-racking? 😲
🎯 Quick-Fire Round!
Three words that describe you?
Chocaholic, Disney-lover, Shoe fanatic 👠🍫🧚
Go-to coffee order?
Coffee? Yuck! Tea or hot chocolate, please. ☕🍫
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I do not enjoy public speaking. Despite training people for a living, standing in front of a crowd is nerve-racking! 😬
If you weren’t in training, what would you be doing?
Hopefully lying on a beach somewhere sunny with a fruity cocktail and a book… Oh, you mean for work? I’d probably still be in the housing sector, hopefully somewhere sunny! 🌴📖🍹
💼 Let’s Talk Big Picture!
What inspired you to join Big Picture Training?
This might sound like a brown-nosing answer, but honestly? Our CEO and Founder, Jo Leckie!Having worked with Jo before and seeing what she was building at Big Picture, and the impact it was having, I just knew this was where I wanted to be. Doing it alongside someone who’s both a friend and a mentor? What could be better!
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
That light bulb moment in a training session, when someone’s face lights up because something just clicked. That moment of “I get it now!” makes it all worthwhile.
Sum up Big Picture Training in one sentence:
Training that’s practical, engaging, and fun!
One lesson you’ve learned as MD that you wish you knew earlier?
That I actually can be MD. You don’t need to know everything, you just need to surround yourself with great people and keep learning.
If Big Picture Training had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“We Built This City” by Starship, because we’re helping build knowledge and confidence in the housing sector, one training session at a time. Plus, we love a good sing-along at Big Picture!
🏡 Big Picture & the Housing Sector
How does Big Picture Training support the social housing industry?
We take complex, jargon-heavy policies and translate them into clear, practical training that people can actually use. Because when housing professionals understand what they’re doing, tenants get the best support possible.
Biggest challenge facing the sector, and how can training help?
The biggest challenge? Growing demand for housing, with limited resources.
Training equips people to navigate their roles more efficiently, leading to better outcomes for the communities they serve.
🎉 The Fun Stuff!
Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ted Lasso. My all-time fave, I’ve watched it more times than I can count. Believe!
Stranded on a desert island, what are you bringing?
An e-reader fully loaded with books, a never-ending stash of M&Ms, and a bottomless mojito. Not practical, but hey, I’m on holiday! 😉
Secret talent?
I can pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time. I know, what a skill!
✨ Final Thoughts
What’s next for you and Big Picture Training?
We’ve got exciting new courses in the works and plans to expand our reach even further. Watch this space!
Leave us with one piece of wisdom:
Life’s too short to do something you don’t love. If you want something, go make it happen!
That’s a wrap on our fun and fabulous interview with Ellie! 💫
We hope you’ve enjoyed this little peek behind the Big Picture curtain. Stay tuned for more team stories, behind-the-scenes goodness, and sector insights, right here on the Big Picture Training blog.