Macmillan Meets...

Real People. Real Careers. Real Conversations.

Exploring the stories, insights and experiences of the people shaping the future of HR and People.

Macmillan Meets… Sophie McGrath - Organisational Development & Culture Consultant

From aspiring actress to transforming leadership across global organisations

Interviewed by Simon Cutner, Executive Director, Macmillan Davies

In this edition of Macmillan Meets, Simon Cutner sits down with Sophie McGrath, an experienced Talent, Leadership and Organisational Development leader whose career has taken her from Barclays and Standard Chartered to Warner Music Group, M&C Saatchi, ClearScore and Railpen.

From an early ambition to become an actress to leading global transformation programmes, Sophie shares the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, why curiosity has been the driving force behind her career, and why she believes organisations cannot transform unless their leaders do first.

Leadership Insight
“Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating the conditions where other people can succeed.”

– Sophie McGrath

A Career Built on Curiosity

When you were growing up, did you always imagine you'd end up working in HR?

Not at all—I didn't even know what HR was.

What I did know was that I loved people. I worked in pubs and customer-facing roles while I was studying, and I became fascinated by why people behaved so differently. I'd often find myself observing conversations and interactions, wondering what motivated people and why they responded differently to the same situations.

Looking back, I realise curiosity has always been the thread running through my career.

Many people say they ‘fell into HR’. Was that true for you?

Absolutely.

I studied Arts, Psychology and Business before completing a Master's in Arts Management. At the time I thought that background was quite unusual for someone working in HR, particularly within financial services.

Looking back now, I realise those subjects gave me exactly the foundations I've built my career on. Psychology helps you understand behaviour, the arts teach empathy and storytelling, and business provides commercial understanding.

My route into HR wasn't planned, but looking back it makes complete sense. After finishing my Master's, I joined a mortgage brokerage in an entry-level role. During the interview someone suggested I'd be well suited to recruitment. I said yes—and I've never looked back.

Leadership Insight
“Curiosity has always been the thread running through my career.”

– Sophie McGrath

When Everything Changed

Was there one opportunity that changed the direction of your career?

Without question.

Barclays offered me the opportunity to relocate to Dubai to support its Africa business. Just three weeks after arriving, I was told the office was closing and the operation would be relocating to South Africa.

At the time it felt like everything had been turned upside down.

Looking back, it became one of the defining moments of my career.

It taught me resilience, humility and how to keep showing up when you don't have all the answers.

That experience also transformed the way I viewed HR. Rather than seeing it as policies, processes and compliance, I began to understand the influence leaders have on culture, engagement and organisational performance.

That was the moment I realised HR wasn't simply about supporting change—it had the power to shape it.

Leadership Insight
“HR isn't simply about supporting change—it has the power to shape it.”

– Sophie McGrath

Leadership Lessons

What did your time at Barclays and Standard Chartered teach you about leadership?

Leadership isn't defined by the easy moments. It's revealed in the difficult ones.

I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some exceptional leaders, and what has stood out wasn't their numbers, their job title or expertise.

It was their humility.

The leaders I admired most genuinely wanted to hear the views of the most junior person in the room. They listened, challenged their assumptions and were prepared to shift their perspective based on what others had to say.

At the same time, they also understood that leadership isn't about pleasing everyone. When difficult decisions had to be made, they had the courage to make them—even when they weren't popular.

Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating the conditions where other people can succeed.

What separates exceptional leaders from everyone else?

Self-awareness.

The very best leaders understand themselves before trying to lead other people. They stay curious, actively seek feedback and never stop learning.

Culture Drives Performance

Organisations often talk about culture. What actually creates a great culture?

For me, healthy cultures are characterised by the absence of fear.

People need to feel psychologically and emotionally safe enough to contribute ideas, challenge thinking, make mistakes and continue learning.

The strongest cultures don't simply have great values on the wall. They create environments where people genuinely feel trusted.

Leadership shouldn't belong only to those with senior job titles. The best organisations encourage everyone to step forward, take ownership and make a positive difference.

Leadership Insight
“The healthiest cultures are characterised by the absence of fear.”

– Sophie McGrath

What's the biggest mistake organisations are making today?

Trying to transform organisations without transforming leadership.

Many organisations invest heavily in technology, structures and processes, but underestimate the behavioural change needed to make transformation successful.

Technology can enable change. Leadership determines whether change actually happens.

The Future of Leadership

How do you think AI will change leadership over the next few years?

I think AI will elevate the importance of leadership rather than reduce it.

Leaders will spend less time managing information and processes, and much more time building capability, judgement and confidence.

The more AI develops, the more valuable human qualities become. The future belongs to leaders who can combine technology with empathy, creativity and trust.

AI may change how organisations work, but it won't replace the need for leaders who can inspire people, build belief and navigate uncertainty.

Leadership Insight
“Technology can enable change. Leadership determines whether change actually happens.”

– Sophie McGrath

After building a successful consultancy, why are you looking to return to a permanent role?

I've loved building my consultancy, but at this pivotal time, I don't want to advise organisations about the AI-enabled organisation and future of work from the outside.

I want to help build it from the inside.

We're entering one of the biggest periods of workplace transformation we've ever seen, and I want to work alongside leadership teams over the long term, helping create lasting change.

There's something incredibly rewarding about seeing ideas become capability, capability become culture and culture become business performance.

Lessons Learned

What's the professional achievement you're most proud of?

Leading the people integration during Standard Chartered's acquisition of Barclays ABSA.

It was one of the largest and most complex transformations I'd worked on and gave me a front-row seat to how organisations navigate change at scale.

More importantly, it taught me that integration isn't won through plans and processes—it's won through leadership, trust and understanding the very different experiences people have during change.

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome?

Yes, I prefer to call it self-doubt, which is a healthy and necessary part of our journey to transforming ourselves.

I've learned that's not something to fear. It's a sign that we're growing.

What's the best career advice you've ever received?

Stay curious longer than you think you need to.

It's simple advice, but it's transformed the way I approach both leadership and life.

Leadership Insight
“Stay curious longer than you think you need to.”

– Sophie McGrath

Quick Fire

• Tea or coffee? Tea
• Office or home? Office
• Book or podcast? Book
• Early bird or night owl? Early bird
• Leadership book? Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
• Favourite place? South Africa
• Dinner with anyone? Nelson Mandela
• Three words colleagues use to describe you? Energetic. Truthful. Fun.

Looking Ahead

If we sat here again in five years' time, what would you hope we'd be talking about?

I'd hope we'd be talking about organisations that are healthier, more adaptive and more human than they are today.

I'd love to have played a part in helping organisations navigate one of the biggest workplace transformations of our generation and proving that leadership and culture aren't "soft" topics—they're fundamental to business performance.

I'd also hope we'd be talking about HR as one of the most strategic functions in any organisation, helping businesses embrace AI, changing workforce expectations and new organisational models without losing sight of what makes organisations successful in the first place—their people.

Final Thought
“I'd love to have helped organisations navigate one of the biggest workplace transformations of our generation.”

– Sophie McGrath

About Sophie

Sophie McGrath is currently exploring senior permanent opportunities across Leadership, Talent, Organisational Development and People and Culture, where she can help organisations build stronger leaders, healthier cultures and deliver lasting organisational change.

If Sophie's experience and approach resonate with you, and you'd like to discuss how she could support your organisation, please contact Simon Cutner, Executive Director at Macmillan Davies, who would be delighted to make an introduction.

Interested in featuring in Macmillan Meets?

Every HR and People leader has a story worth telling.

Macmillan Meets is our interview series, shining a spotlight on inspiring professionals from across the HR and People community. Through relaxed conversations, we explore career journeys, leadership lessons, personal experiences and the ideas shaping the future of our profession.

Whether you're a Chief People Officer, HR Director, People Leader, Reward Specialist, Talent Professional, DE&I Expert, L&D Leader or simply have an interesting career story to share, we'd love to hear from you.

If you'd like to feature in a future edition of Macmillan Meets, or would like to nominate someone in your network, please contact Simon Cutner, Executive Director at Macmillan Davies.

Thank you to Sophie for taking the time to share her story and insights with us.

Get in touch

If you would like to discuss the interview above, feature in a future edition of Macmillan Meets, or discuss senior HR and People opportunities, please contact Simon Cutner directly.

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Macmillan Meets

Real People. Real Careers. Real Conversations.

A regular feature from Macmillan Davies, celebrating the people behind the HR profession, sharing career journeys, leadership insights and the experiences shaping the future of work.