30 minutes with Rebecca Threlfall

Rebecca Threlfall, chief of staff - corporate office

What is your role?

My role is chief of staff. So, what is a chief of staff? There's not just one single answer to that question! A growing number of organisations have the role but give it varying responsibilities.

If you'd like to know more about what my role means for us, check out the blog I wrote last year, 'NICE is better than the White House...'.

How long have you been at NICE?

I joined NICE in August 2020, so it's approaching a year.

What other roles do you have?

I'm a board member at Halcyon London International School in central London. I'm also a politics tutor with The Access Project. I was looking for a couple of voluntary roles in the education sector that would help me build particular skills I wanted to work on, including coaching and influencing, while also giving something back.

Rebecca Threlfall, chief of staff - corporate office

Rebecca and a group of her work colleagues posing for a photo in a London street

Rebecca on her way to a summer party with her old number 10/Cabinet Office communications team

What do you enjoy most about your role?

One thing I particularly enjoy is organising events. Over the years, I've planned and delivered a huge range of them. From a government delegation to Belfast, to a black-tie Christmas party for entrepreneurs at the home of the BAFTAs (195 Piccadilly), to a 2-day conference in Milan for McKinsey partners from all over the world.

Rebecca on her way to a summer party with her old number 10/Cabinet Office communications team

What would be your career defining moment?

There has not been one specific moment, really. I have been lucky to work for a range of interesting organisations including McKinsey, Number 10/Cabinet Office, the House of Commons and, of course, NICE!

In each one, I worked with fantastic people, from whom I learned a huge amount and developed professionally and personally. I've also had a lot of fun along the way!

What makes you proud to work at NICE?

This sounds cheesy, but I am proud to work for Gill Leng, our chief executive, and Shar Nebhrajani, our chairman. It's quite unusual to have women in both top roles and it was a key factor in my decision to take this position. They have their own complementary leadership styles and are both fantastic role models for aspiring women leaders.

What challenges do you think NICE will face in the next 12 months?

Our new strategy reflects key changes in our external environment and feedback from stakeholders that we know we need to respond to. It will be interesting to see how we navigate the first year from our hybrid workplaces. It will be a new experience for everyone and we will need to test and learn as we go.

What have been your greatest achievements professionally and personally?

I was really pleased with my master's dissertation, exploring how the public have been involved in counter-terrorism policing in the London Borough of Hackney.

I was also chuffed to become a qualified HR practitioner last year, after completing my Level 7 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) award during the lockdown.

Rebecca was lucky enough to shadow the Hackney counter-terrorism officers as part of her masters fieldwork

What keeps you up at night?

Lots of things! I am a very bad sleeper! I have a strict routine comprising of daily exercise, no sugar in the evenings, Headspace, herbal Nytol, bedtime teas and fresh air. But, still I find it hard to stay asleep...

Rebecca with a group of counter-terrorism police officers in a police vehicle

Rebecca was lucky enough to shadow the Hackney counter-terrorism officers as part of her masters fieldwork

Alex Aiken, executive director for government communications

Who has been your biggest influence?

Probably an old boss, Alex Aiken, the executive director for government communications. He has a formidable reputation and could be very tough, but I admired his incredible energy for getting things done. I learned so much from being his right-hand woman.

Alex Aiken, executive director for government communications

I also found it valuable to hire a career coach for a period in early 2020. They helped me to reflect on my personal values and what I wanted to do next in life, which led me to NICE!

What single word would people use to describe you?

Dynamic - I hope!

What was the last film you watched?

'Long Shot', a silly Seth Rogen film. It was just what I needed.

Describe your perfect holiday destination

I'd like to go back to Moscow. I organised a work event there a couple of years ago and only got an hour to explore.

Rebecca visited Moscow while organising a work conference event for McKinsey

The last time you got on a plane, where were you going?

On holiday to Tulum, Mexico. I went there with my boyfriend, Felix. It was beautiful and blissful. I even discovered a new love for fish tacos!

Rebecca with Moscow landmarks in the background

Rebecca visited Moscow while organising a work conference event for McKinsey

Rebecca taking any opportunity to cuddle a puppy!

What do you do in your spare time?

Quite a few things. My voluntary commitments, Scrabble, badminton, reformer Pilates, theatre, dinner parties, travel, hanging out with my boyfriend Felix, family, and friends.

I look for any opportunity to cuddle dogs. Plus, I'm hosting my younger sister's hen-do in August. With 14 lively women coming to mine for a sleepover, there's a lot to plan!

Rebecca taking any opportunity to cuddle a puppy!