Kate Jones joined Leighton three years ago as an Account Director and has since gone on to play a pivotal role in securing exciting new projects with some of our longest-standing customers.

In this month’s colleague spotlight, Kate reflects on her career so far, what drives her in delivering results, and what she enjoys doing away from work.

Can you tell us about your role and responsibilities as an Account Director?  

I’m responsible for driving customer growth across the accounts I manage, a core objective shared by all our account directors in the business. This includes identifying and securing new opportunities within those accounts, so staying alert to client developments, announcements and emerging needs is a key part of my role. On a day-to-day basis, I spend much of my time building relationships with new contacts – understanding their challenges and exploring how we can support them while also introducing Leighton’s capabilities, services and solutions. In parallel, I work closely with existing stakeholders to expand and evolve ongoing projects, taking a strategic approach to each account. This means aligning with our customers on their goals and direction and identifying where we can create the most value and drive sustainable growth.

How long have you been with Leighton and what drew you here initially?  

I joined Leighton three years ago after being approached by a recruiter. Prior to that, my experience was largely in the education and public sectors. What initially drew me to Leighton was the opportunity to work with an impressive portfolio of customers who operate on a global scale, but what really stood out was the company’s cultural values. From my first conversations with colleagues, it was clear there was a strong sense of purpose, community and ambition. I was genuinely excited by the direction Leighton was heading in and the goals it had set for the future, which made the decision to join an easy one.

What inspired you to pursue a career as an Account Director?  

I never originally planned to become an Account Director, it’s something I grew into over time. I studied psychology at university, with a strong interest in HR and how people and organisations work together. After graduating, I found it challenging to secure a role directly in that space, which led me to take an opportunity in recruitment.

That experience then gave me a foundation to start working in more commercially focused roles within the education sector, where I began to develop my skills in sales and account growth. What I realised along the way was that I was drawn to roles that sit at the intersection of people, strategy and business impact. Being in the role I find myself in now allows me to do just that, building strong partnerships, understanding organisational goals and helping our customers achieve meaningful outcomes.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career to date?  

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some big and successful brands over the years, helping them to secure several high-value and genuinely exciting projects. One that stands out in particular was during my time at Capita, where I played a key role in renewing a multi-million-pound contract with a group of independent schools. What made this significant wasn’t just the scale of the deal, but the level of collaboration it required. We had to make sure we built and maintained strong relationships and really understood what the long-term priorities were.It was a highly competitive process, but securing the contract was a significant achievement and a real milestone in my career.

Another memorable moment came early in my career when I was working for an exclusive dressing gown manufacturer. We worked with high-end stores like Harrods, working in partnership with them to supply numerous famous clients including Elton John.

What do you enjoy most about your work?  

The excitement and challenge of growing an account – winning new business is a rewarding feeling, but it’s not just the outcome itself, it’s everything that leads up to it like understanding the customer’s needs, building trust, and demonstrating how you can add value. I also enjoy the people aspect of the role. It gives me the opportunity to meet a wide range of individuals across different parts of a business. Taking the time to understand what they do and the challenges they’re trying to solve keeps the role interesting and constantly evolving. That balance between relationship building, strategic thinking and delving real outcomes that can benefit a business is what keeps me motivated.

What’s one thing about Leighton that stands out to you?  

The people and the passion they show for tech. Leighton lives up to its values – there’s a strong sense of curiosity and it nurtures its colleagues to become truly invested in the work the business delivers. I think that comes from the way we collaborate, share ideas, and support each other. Working within my role gives me a front-row seat to see the work that we are delivering for our customers and it’s evident to see the impact we’re having and the trust and value our customers are placing in us.

What’s your favourite memory or moment from your time at Leighton so far?  

Plenty of our company days stand out, particularly Leighton by the sea last summer. Our colleagues are in lots of different locations across the country, so often meeting up and seeing people face to face can be challenging, but company day was a great chance to catch up with those people who I hadn’t had a chance to see in a while.  I also loved seeing AWS North Community Conference come to life. The hard work and dedication that went into it, which followed with such great feedback was again a great reflection on Leighton and the talented, dedicated colleagues we have working here.

What’s one thing you want to accomplish in your career that you haven’t yet? 

I want to continue growing my financial targets within Leighton. By that I don’t just mean bigger numbers, I mean developing accounts into long-term strategic partnerships, expanding key customers and continuing to deliver work that drives measurable impact. If those targets grow, it’s a reflection of doing the right things well: building trust, identifying the right opportunities, and executing to a high standard. It’s a direction I can see Leighton moving in and I’m excited to be a part of that journey.

Away from work I’d also like to train to become a councillor. I’ve always had an interest in supporting people and I would like to help people in the future by making a practical difference.

What’s a fun fact about you that most colleagues might not know?  

I’m a bit of a party animal - my favourite holiday destination is Ibiza where I went to see Calvin Harris last summer with my family and I’m going to see Fatboy Slim in Brighton this summer with Leighton colleague, Holli.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  

I love travelling and spending time with my friends and family.  Any spare time I have I like trying to keep fit and finding new walks to do in the Peak District.

What’s something people might not know about your role?  

You need to have a positive and optimistic attitude. Even when you don’t win a deal, it’s important to stay confident, maintain perspective and keep your focus on the bigger picture. Setbacks are a part of the role, and you won’t always get the outcome you were hoping for, but it’s important to dust yourself down and move on to the next opportunity.

What’s the best piece of career advice you have ever received? 

Always stay true to yourself. People can tell the difference between when you’re genuine and when you’re trying to be what you think others expect. Authenticity builds trust and trust builds great relationships.

What advice would you give someone starting in this industry? 

To be fearless and confident in your abilities and talk to as many people as you can, networking brings new perspectives and unexpected opportunities.