Growth Company Employment Leader Recognised with IEP Fellowship

• Natalie Gill, operations manager for the Restart Scheme at the Growth Company (GC), has been awarded a Fellowship of the Institute for Employability Professionals (IEP).
• The national recognition reflects more than a decade of experience, leadership, and commitment to high professional standards in employability services.
• As an IEP Fellow, Natalie will act as an ambassador for both the institute and the wider sector.

A member of the Growth Company’s employment team has been recognised by a national body.

Last month, Natalie Gill learned that she had been successful in her application to become a Fellow of the Institute for Employability Professionals.

Natalie currently works in Doncaster and Rotherham as the operations manager for the Restart Scheme, a DWP programme that offers tailored support to help people on Universal Credit move closer to the labour market.

According to the IEP, fellows are expected to have at least seven years of experience in employability, to have participated in or supported external activities across the sector, to play an active role in promoting it, and to be dedicated to continuous professional development.

Natalie met or exceeded each of these expectations.

She began her professional life as a careers advisor in North Yorkshire, working in schools, colleges, and pupil referral units, as well as with home-educated young people.

Natalie joined GC in 2013 as an employment advisor on the Work Programme in Hull. Shortly after, she became a team leader and then a service manager for the Community Work Placement contract.

In 2018, Natalie managed the delivery of Skills Support for the Workforce across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, helping businesses to improve their employees’ skills and boost productivity.

As part of her fellowship, Natalie will be encouraged to be an active member of the IEP community, to support other members, to encourage practitioners in the sector to adopt high professional standards, and to act as an ambassador for the institute.

Reflecting on the accolade, Natalie said: “Achieving Fellowship status is a milestone that reflects my commitment to the employability profession. 

“Over more than a decade, I’ve focused on helping people access skills, training, and employment opportunities. I’ve led teams through new contracts, organisational change, and regional expansion; always with an eye on improving outcomes for participants and strengthening partnerships with employers and communities.

“For me, fellowship is about leadership that empowers others – supporting colleagues to grow, driving high-quality services, and learning new things so I can contribute on a deeper level.

“I believe in the power of professional standards to transform lives, and I’m proud to stand alongside others who are positively shaping the future of our sector.”

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 35-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health support across the North of England and beyond.

Learn more about the support that we offer to people and employers.