Meet Kathryn
Your guide in your career transformation and leadership journey.
First and foremost, I’m a wife and a proud mum to a wonderful little boy. Family is my biggest joy and it has shaped not only how I live, but how I work. Building a career that genuinely fits around life, rather than competing with it, is something I believe deeply in and it’s the foundation of everything I do.
Professionally, my background spans operational and HR roles, giving me a broad, real-world perspective on how organisations and people actually work. I’m a Chartered Member of the CIPD, hold a BA (Hons) in Business Administration with Human Resources Management and I’m qualified in Career Coaching and Executive Coaching Practice through Full Circle Global. I’m also accredited in TTI Insights® DISC profiling, which allows me to help clients understand their leadership and communication styles and how to use them more effectively.
My journey hasn’t been linear, but it has been deeply rewarding. While studying at college and university, I worked in a variety of administrative and retail roles, building strong foundations in customer service, communication and problem-solving. After graduating, I moved into retail management with Sainsbury’s, working across multiple departments and gaining invaluable leadership and people management experience. These early roles sparked a lasting interest in workplace dynamics and how people grow, perform and find purpose at work.
In 2003, I made the decision to step away from retail management and pursue a career in HR — a move driven by a long-standing passion for people development. Over the next 13 years, I worked in HR roles across a wide range of sectors, including gaming machine manufacturing, children’s clothing, discount fashion and homeware and logistics. One of the most formative chapters of my career was with DHL Supply Chain, supporting Fuel, Chemicals, Manufacturing and Technology operations. I later concluded my in-house HR career at Central England Co-operative.
After the birth of my son, I took a career break from 2016 onwards, that gave me the space to reflect on what truly energised me. Across every role and sector, a consistent theme emerged: I was at my best when helping people recognise their strengths, build confidence and take ownership of their careers. I met so many talented individuals who struggled to articulate their value or move forward in a direction that genuinely felt right for them.
By late 2018, I knew I wanted to return to work, but not to the standard 9–5. Around this time, friends, former colleagues and referrals began approaching me for support with CVs, LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation and career direction. What started as informal guidance quickly grew into something far more purposeful. I realised I could combine my HR expertise, coaching mindset and love of storytelling to help people gain clarity, confidence and momentum in their careers.
That’s how The Career Owl was born.
Through my business, I support professionals who feel stuck, undervalued or disconnected from their work, from those aspiring to leadership roles, right through to senior leaders and C-suite professionals. Many of my clients come to me at a crossroads: returning to work after a break, navigating redundancy, questioning whether their career still fits the life they want now, or feeling successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality.
My approach always begins with self-understanding before job searching. Rather than rushing straight into applications or titles, I help clients explore their strengths, values, motivations and patterns so their next move is intentional, not reactive. This creates confidence, clarity and momentum — and helps people move away from fear-based decisions towards work that feels aligned, sustainable and meaningful.
I offer a blend of coaching and practical career support, including executive-level CVs, LinkedIn optimisation, interview coaching and longer-term career development. Alongside 1:1 services, I’ve created accessible self-led resources for those who want clarity at their own pace, including free tools and paid toolkits tailored to early-career professionals and those stepping into senior leadership. I also have a weekly podcast "Your Path to Career Success" which you can listen to on all major podcast platforms.
Since starting The Career Owl in April 2019, I’ve supported over 900 clients, with 95% securing a new role within three to six months. I’ve worked with individuals across an extraordinary range of sectors — from finance, IT, engineering and biotech, to creative industries, charities, publishing, EV companies, manufacturing, animal welfare and beyond. Helping people step into their potential and succeed never gets old.
What drives me, even on challenging days, is seeing the shift from uncertainty to confidence. Watching clients find their voice, recognise their value and realise they’re capable of more than they imagined is why I do what I do.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me exploring the UK and Europe with my son and husband — from Cornwall and Yorkshire to Wales, the Cotswolds, Jersey and beyond. I’m also passionate about giving back and volunteer as an Enterprise Advisor with secondary schools in Tamworth, supporting the development of meaningful careers programmes for pupils. One school’s provision was even highlighted in a recent Ofsted report — a moment I’m incredibly proud of.
I’m a member of the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) and have served on the Board as Secretary and Treasurer since 2021. And if you’ve seen my photos, you’ll probably have noticed my love for pink, teal and navy — very much my vibe, personally and professionally.
My mission is simple: to help people build careers that work with their lives, not against them. I work closely and personally with every client and don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every journey is shaped around the individual, their circumstances and their goals.
If you’re ready to take control of your career — or even just start thinking differently about what’s possible — I’d genuinely love to chat.
Professionally, my background spans operational and HR roles, giving me a broad, real-world perspective on how organisations and people actually work. I’m a Chartered Member of the CIPD, hold a BA (Hons) in Business Administration with Human Resources Management and I’m qualified in Career Coaching and Executive Coaching Practice through Full Circle Global. I’m also accredited in TTI Insights® DISC profiling, which allows me to help clients understand their leadership and communication styles and how to use them more effectively.
My journey hasn’t been linear, but it has been deeply rewarding. While studying at college and university, I worked in a variety of administrative and retail roles, building strong foundations in customer service, communication and problem-solving. After graduating, I moved into retail management with Sainsbury’s, working across multiple departments and gaining invaluable leadership and people management experience. These early roles sparked a lasting interest in workplace dynamics and how people grow, perform and find purpose at work.
In 2003, I made the decision to step away from retail management and pursue a career in HR — a move driven by a long-standing passion for people development. Over the next 13 years, I worked in HR roles across a wide range of sectors, including gaming machine manufacturing, children’s clothing, discount fashion and homeware and logistics. One of the most formative chapters of my career was with DHL Supply Chain, supporting Fuel, Chemicals, Manufacturing and Technology operations. I later concluded my in-house HR career at Central England Co-operative.
After the birth of my son, I took a career break from 2016 onwards, that gave me the space to reflect on what truly energised me. Across every role and sector, a consistent theme emerged: I was at my best when helping people recognise their strengths, build confidence and take ownership of their careers. I met so many talented individuals who struggled to articulate their value or move forward in a direction that genuinely felt right for them.
By late 2018, I knew I wanted to return to work, but not to the standard 9–5. Around this time, friends, former colleagues and referrals began approaching me for support with CVs, LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation and career direction. What started as informal guidance quickly grew into something far more purposeful. I realised I could combine my HR expertise, coaching mindset and love of storytelling to help people gain clarity, confidence and momentum in their careers.
That’s how The Career Owl was born.
Through my business, I support professionals who feel stuck, undervalued or disconnected from their work, from those aspiring to leadership roles, right through to senior leaders and C-suite professionals. Many of my clients come to me at a crossroads: returning to work after a break, navigating redundancy, questioning whether their career still fits the life they want now, or feeling successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality.
My approach always begins with self-understanding before job searching. Rather than rushing straight into applications or titles, I help clients explore their strengths, values, motivations and patterns so their next move is intentional, not reactive. This creates confidence, clarity and momentum — and helps people move away from fear-based decisions towards work that feels aligned, sustainable and meaningful.
I offer a blend of coaching and practical career support, including executive-level CVs, LinkedIn optimisation, interview coaching and longer-term career development. Alongside 1:1 services, I’ve created accessible self-led resources for those who want clarity at their own pace, including free tools and paid toolkits tailored to early-career professionals and those stepping into senior leadership. I also have a weekly podcast "Your Path to Career Success" which you can listen to on all major podcast platforms.
Since starting The Career Owl in April 2019, I’ve supported over 900 clients, with 95% securing a new role within three to six months. I’ve worked with individuals across an extraordinary range of sectors — from finance, IT, engineering and biotech, to creative industries, charities, publishing, EV companies, manufacturing, animal welfare and beyond. Helping people step into their potential and succeed never gets old.
What drives me, even on challenging days, is seeing the shift from uncertainty to confidence. Watching clients find their voice, recognise their value and realise they’re capable of more than they imagined is why I do what I do.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me exploring the UK and Europe with my son and husband — from Cornwall and Yorkshire to Wales, the Cotswolds, Jersey and beyond. I’m also passionate about giving back and volunteer as an Enterprise Advisor with secondary schools in Tamworth, supporting the development of meaningful careers programmes for pupils. One school’s provision was even highlighted in a recent Ofsted report — a moment I’m incredibly proud of.
I’m a member of the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) and have served on the Board as Secretary and Treasurer since 2021. And if you’ve seen my photos, you’ll probably have noticed my love for pink, teal and navy — very much my vibe, personally and professionally.
My mission is simple: to help people build careers that work with their lives, not against them. I work closely and personally with every client and don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every journey is shaped around the individual, their circumstances and their goals.
If you’re ready to take control of your career — or even just start thinking differently about what’s possible — I’d genuinely love to chat.
ASSOCIATE WORK
Alongside running my own business I am also an associate of the following businesses.
Wildwood Coaching Limited
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When you are contemplating redundancies within your business, outplacement services provide valuable support for those employees who leave, and allow those who remain to see you did the right thing, even in difficult circumstances. |
Work Horizons
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If you decide to take membership then please press the following link:
https://workhorizons.com/join/?ref=kathrynhall |
PARTNERSHIP
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Life Is Busy? Find A Job That Suits Modern Life
A unique recruitment firm placing top candidates in family-friendly, forward-thinking companies. Parents & Careers (parentsandcareers.com) |
