In the blink of an eye

Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Little did I know two decades ago the adventure that lay ahead of me.

I was working in recruitment when I stumbled upon an online advertisement for a sales and operations manager at a negotiation consultancy in Chesham – a small market town in Buckinghamshire. It piqued my interest and so I decided to apply. My first meeting was with Roger, during which I candidly shared my ambition to run a tea shop in Cornwall! Despite this admission, I progressed through to the next interview where I met the founder and current chairman, Steve Gates. As our interview wrapped up Steve remarked, “I am very enthused to meet you Keilee.” Soon after that I became the sixth employee at The Gap Partnership!

My induction into this remarkable journey was led by Steve's mother-in-law, the wonderful Rena, who imparted invaluable knowledge during my two-week crash course in Kettering. In the early days I had to work from home because the office was just one room, Steve's garage! My first five years at TGP were a whirlwind. I juggled multiple tasks from standing in post office lines, mailing joining instructions to clients, fixing dishwashers, conducting sales pitches and dispatching team members across the globe. Would I change any of it? Not a chance. I loved every moment!

Most of my career has revolved around managing global clients, many of whom have become friends over the years. My passion lies in putting our clients first, surpassing their expectations and ensuring they receive a first-class experience. One of the crowning moments for me was winning the 'Being The Gap Partnership’ award in Mexico during team week in 2020, a career pinnacle that filled me with immense pride.

Over two decades I've witnessed huge transformation at TGP, expanding our global footprint, embracing cutting-edge technologies and diversifying our product offerings. Yet, through it all, we’ve remained the world leader in negotiation, consistently adapting in the ever-changing landscape. Some significant personal life changes have also taken place throughout my time in the business. I got married to Stu, we had two beautiful children, we purchased our dream house and I travelled the world with TGP, accruing plenty of annual leave along the way!

The camaraderie within our teams, combined with the joy of celebrating our achievements, has made TGP a very special place. I've forged some incredible, lifelong friendships. A special shout-out goes to Kelly Harborne , who continues to inspire me and be my rock. I've absorbed a wealth of knowledge, especially from my line managers over the years. Heartfelt thanks to Steve Gates , Graham Botwright , Roger Greenfield , Chris Atkins , Graham Stimpson , Michael Kamins and Richard Woodward who all graciously tolerated my endless barrage of questions. I'm forever grateful.

What an extraordinary voyage it has been. I eagerly anticipate the exciting times ahead.