Team Phoenix Talks: Kristy Hill

Kristy Hill, our Customer Success Accessibility Lead, has had a remarkable journey transitioning from a teacher in the field of education to the tech industry. Join us as we explore Kristy’s experience within the tech sector.

Kristy’s passion for accessibility has led her to achieve great success within the Customer Success Team, making her a valuable member of #TeamPhoenix. The unique culture of Phoenix, which promotes collaboration, innovation, and growth, is one of the things that sets Kristy’s experience apart. As a part-time worker with a young family, Kristy feels incredibly supported by Team Phoenix to work flexibly while still advancing in her career.

How did you get into the industry?

My first encounter with Phoenix was during a secondment opportunity provided to me by the Microsoft Education Team, which led me to transition from my teaching career to the tech industry almost by chance. As a Microsoft Learning Consultant, I primarily trained teachers on the use of Microsoft technologies and presented at an Education Event hosted by Phoenix.

What appealed to you about the industry?

What I found most appealing was the opportunity to make a significant impact on so many people. As a former teacher with a strong passion for accessibility, I saw the potential for technology to serve as a vehicle for achieving this goal. I realised that, as a trainer in software, specifically Microsoft products, I could create a greater impact on children in schools across the country. Certainly, since joining Phoenix, my work has expanded beyond the field of education to encompass the entire public sector. Often, training is overlooked when new technology is adopted, but I saw an opportunity to ensure that training and new technology went hand in hand within the team I joined at Phoenix.

Tell us about your career history and what led you to Phoenix

Before joining Phoenix, I was a primary school teacher for seven years and served as the Computing Lead at my school. Throughout my teaching career, I taught many children with SEND, which ignited my passion for accessibility. I transitioned out of teaching through a secondment with Microsoft Education and spent several years consulting on their education programmes. Through my work with Microsoft, I began collaborating with Phoenix and delivered sessions at many of their events. I was immediately drawn to the company due to the welcoming nature of the staff I met during this time.

What’s your experience of working at Phoenix so far?

Being a part of Team Phoenix has been a wonderful experience for me and one which I adore! From my time as a contractor to my enrolment as an employee, I have always felt valued and appreciated. Phoenix has accommodated my needs by allowing me to work part-time and primarily from home, enabling me to balance my career with my family responsibilities. Despite this, I have been given opportunities for career development and have always received understanding and support when family emergencies have arisen. What’s more, I have found great satisfaction in my work at Phoenix, collaborating with my team to build a new practice from scratch and witnessing the impact we have on people across all sectors through our work.

Tell us a little bit about your role

As a member of the Customer Success Team at Phoenix, my role is relatively new and focuses primarily on Adoption and Change Management. Our team has established a training practice to assist our customers in ensuring their staff adopt new technologies and software. By collaborating with colleagues across the business, we at Phoenix provide a comprehensive, end-to-end experience for our customers. In my day-to-day work, I deliver a range of training workshops and on-site delivery sessions, as well as create training materials such as videos and guides to support our customers in adopting new technologies. As the Accessibility Lead at Phoenix, I play a key role in advising our customers on how to enhance their packages for staff in terms of digital inclusion.

How would you describe the culture at Phoenix?

Employees are treated with respect and their talents are recognised and appreciated. The company fosters an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and growth. Phoenix values the individual talents of its employees and promotes an inclusive workplace where everyone can reach their full potential, regardless of whether they work part-time or from home. At Phoenix, we are encouraged to celebrate our individuality beyond our job roles and share our experiences with the wider Phoenix family. The company understands that our job is just one aspect of our identity and promotes a culture that avoids stereotypes and focuses on achieving one core goal together: delivering the best experience for our customers.

Why do you think Phoenix has been recertified as a Great Place to Work™? 

At Phoenix, every voice is valued, listened to, and heard, from the leadership team to colleagues on the sales floor. The company hosts various events and initiatives to develop its staff professionally and create a positive social environment, all of which are examples of how they go above and beyond for their staff. As long as Phoenix continues to listen to its staff, take their suggestions into account, and make improvements accordingly, it will remain a great place to work. For me, this is the key element that Team Phoenix absolutely gets right.