0345 646 5201
Joining People Puzzles in 2019, Alex has navigated the business through Covid and times of change, recently celebrating 6 years with the company.
In what way has People Puzzles helped you to thrive?
There are two key ways. First, People Puzzles has provided me with flexibility—both in terms of time and their attitude toward work. This flexibility has allowed me to fully balance my professional life with supporting my family, especially my teenagers and wife. Working from home has been transformative.
Professionally, it has pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. I’ve grown so much, learning to lead a business, speak at conferences, and navigate a world I hadn’t experienced before. I’ve gained insight into the emotional journey of entrepreneurs and the challenges they face. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a team come together to resolve those challenges. Now, being part of the People Puzzles leadership team myself, I experience this from the inside—it’s both humbling and fulfilling.
Have you had one standout moment when you have felt lucky to work with People Puzzles?
The standout moment has to be the postponed birthday conference. It was supposed to mark our 10th anniversary but ended up happening at 11 1/2 years due to COVID. That celebration was particularly meaningful. The pandemic was a tough time for everyone, but coming back together and celebrating felt like a huge achievement.
It was also a moment of acknowledgment and value for me personally, thanks to Ally and Helen’s leadership. It felt like a celebration of resilience—overcoming challenges and succeeding together. I was proud to support a team that helped businesses get back on their feet during such a difficult time.
What have you found most meaningful about your work with People Puzzles and their clients?
For me, the most meaningful aspect is seeing the journey of our People Directors. I don’t work with clients directly as much, but hearing the success stories from our team is incredible. People Directors often tell me, “This has been an amazing year. I feel professionally valued again. I’ve had time to spend with my kids.” Seeing those personal and professional transformations is incredibly rewarding. I particularly enjoy induction sessions, where new People Directors share their dreams, and then watching those dreams come true over time is amazing.
What areas are you passionate about outside of your work?
I’m deeply involved in the Jewish community. I’ve been working on a significant fundraising project for our synagogue, raising over £2 million to refurbish it. We’re nearly there, and work has already been commissioned. I also sit on the board of Liberal Judaism, which recently merged two major progressive movements—a pivotal moment for the community.
Family is another passion. I spend as much time as possible with my wife and kids. My eldest is an accomplished sprinter, and my younger son practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so I enjoy supporting them in their pursuits. My wife Paula, who is currently acting as a head teacher, has appreciated my support during this demanding year.
For leisure, I play table tennis competitively, even in the premier division of my local league. I also enjoy golf—it’s a great way to relax and recharge.
What excites you most about the next 5 years of your career with People Puzzles?
I’m excited by two key developments. First, we’re building an incredibly strong team that continues to grow and improve. Second, our collective impact is expanding, enabling more businesses to succeed. The knowledge transfer project we’re working on will amplify this even further.
It’s thrilling to see the fractional senior leadership model gaining traction and becoming a recognized solution for businesses. The Liberti partnership is another exciting opportunity—working together with wider partners to deliver transformative results for clients. The tools we’re developing and the growing market for fractional C-Suite roles make the future incredibly promising.