Insights and Expertise: A Q&A with Tiree Houghton, People Experience Director at Gallagher

Tiree Houghton, an experienced People Experience Director in Gallagher's UK Benefits and HR Consulting division, shares their insights and expertise in the following Q&A session. Discover more about Tiree's work with our clients and gain a deeper understanding of her motivations and passions.

Can you tell us a bit about your role and responsibilities within the team?

“My role at Gallagher is all about supporting our clients with their big challenges. It is about understanding them, their business, and people to help them deliver holistic solutions and strategies, enabling both businesses and employees to thrive.”

How do you typically collaborate with clients to understand their needs and deliver the best solutions?

“I love meeting clients with no set agenda, no slides decks, just an open and honest conversation. I always like to start the conversations from the top - asking about the business, as it helps us to think big picture and helps us to business case down the line. Challenging clients on the status quo and asking 'why' are often the key parts of conversations that help us get to the best solution.”

Can you share any success stories or notable achievements from your work with clients?

“As cheesy as it sounds, success for me is when I help to implement change which can really transform employees’ lives - that said it's always great when your clients win awards too!

“My biggest success stories have come when I have worked with clients to redefine their Employee Value Proposition (EVP). The ability to look holistically across their entire people strategy has helped to super charge their output and often redefine the company from a people perspective.”

How do you stay updated on industry trends and changes that may impact our clients?

“There are so many great industry whitepapers and research out there, which always forms the basis of my conversations. However, for me, the two most powerful resources are:

• Our clients: The experience and insights gained from clients is so valuable, because they have an ability to bring organisational challenges to life.
• Looking outside the industry: I firmly believe that the best way for HR to evolve is by looking outside of your standard HR insights. Picking up snippets from podcasts or articles and applying that logic, solution and approach to the challenges HR is facing. This really helps to bring a fresh and new perspective to our work”.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

“I am a sucker for a good sports story, and I love hearing about what it takes to make it to the pinnacle of sport. So, I would say Jonah Lomu, he was a rugby world great and passionate about the power of what sport can do for people and communities. He also would no doubt have had brilliant stories from his touring days!”

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

“Great business is built on relationships, make building them your business.”