In our latest Inspiring Leaders series we spoke with Lisa Whitehead, Regional Operations Manager at Chubb. Lisa talks about her journey from being the target of bullies in school to being a successful female leader. 

Never Backing Down at School 

Growing up in Farsley, Leeds, with her parents and younger brother, she experienced the sort of sibling rivalry that often makes your childhood. They would fight like cats and dogs but now share a strong relationship. At home, she often felt like she was fighting for attention, especially since she didn’t receive much at school. Unfortunately, she was bullied quite badly. As the tall, skinny girl with teenage acne, she became an easy target. It was a difficult period, as children can be quite brutal, but she came out stronger for it, despite still having certain trigger points to this day. Lisa was relieved to finish school after her GCSEs, eager for a fresh start in an environment aligned with her passions. She completed a travel and tourism apprenticeship, during which she formed friendships that have lasted to this day. 

Diving Headfirst into Her Career 

After her apprenticeship, she began working at Thomas Cook as a travel agent, gaining experience in the money bureau and dealing with various currencies. She loved her role in the travel industry, which suited her passion for travel and holidays. It was almost as if she always knew where her future would take her. However, limited growth opportunities led her to move on to Chubb straight afterwards.  At just 20, entering a field where she was one of the few newcomers felt intimidating at first, but she embraced the change and made amazing friends along the way. 

She found opportunity wherever she looked, moving from office junior to sales coordinator, and then into customer retention and operations support. Each new challenge provided valuable lessons and helped her discover strengths she didn’t know she had. Through these roles, she learned a great deal about herself and discovered how personable and inquisitive she truly is. 

Roadblocks and Opportunities 

There were times her future seemed uncertain, particularly when she was made redundant after Chubb merged with Initial Fire and Security. Rather than viewing it as defeat, she saw it as a chance to travel, backpacking around Italy and Egypt with her best friend was an experience that provided much-needed perspective. Her advice to others would be to travel! Four months later, Chubb asked her to return, and she came back renewed and more confident. 

One opportunity led to another until she found herself in a training role, travelling across the country, presenting to large groups, and learning to overcome her nerves. It was far outside her comfort zone, but she discovered that sometimes one simply needs to dive in and figure it out along the way. Each time she pushed past self-doubt, she grew. Over the years, she worked her way up through various roles, eventually becoming a Regional Operations Manager. She didn’t take the traditional route, coming through admin, support, customer care, and operations rather than engineering or sales. Her journey demonstrates that there’s no single right way to lead and that a unique background can be a significant strength. 

Taking Inspiration from Female Leaders 

Many of her biggest milestones were inspired by other women who rose to success from humble beginnings.  Early in her career, she met a teammate whose story left a lasting impression after been told she couldn’t move into sales due to lack of experience, she built her skills by selling Tupperware, breaking barriers and proving that everyone has the opportunity to learn and achieve. She also draws inspiration from her mother, who was the first female gardener at Leeds City Council, setting an example she only truly appreciated later. 

Over her 23 years at Chubb, she has learned to lead by simply being herself and treating others with honesty, respect, and trust – the same way she wishes to be treated. She expects people to do their jobs but also believes in the importance of having fun and celebrating successes together. 

What is a TV Show That Changed Your Perspective? 

‘I love Sex and the City for its message that women can go out and do whatever they want!’  

What Would Be your Career Path if it Wasn’t Chubb? 

‘In this generation, I’d be a travel influencer, as I always need to have a holiday booked.’ 

What is Your Go-to Pump up Music 

‘I enjoy dance tunes by Bushwacka and Layo, but my go-to is “The Only Way is Up” by Yaz.’ 

What is a Leadership Lesson Learned the Hard Way? 

‘I have learned that sometimes people react badly if things don’t go their way, and it’s important not to take it personally.’ 

What’s Your Biggest Inspiration? 

‘Jane McDonald, as I would love to go on cruises for a living!’ 

What’s Your Ideal Day Off? 

‘Going out with friends, enjoying food and drinks, and maybe relaxing at a spa.’ 

What’s Your Secret Talent? 

‘I used to play the cello, and could probably still play, though perhaps not as tunefully.’ 

Describe Your Leadership Style in Three Words 

‘Relaxed, trusting, and open.’ 

What is Your Desk at Work Like? 

‘Always organized. If it’s messy, I need to stop and tidy it up.’ 

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