LDC Top 50 2024
Jess Aldersley
Managing Director
Beyondly
“My biggest ambition was to raise a family. It didn’t seem possible to have kids and a successful career,” says Jess Aldersley. She’s proved that you can have both. She joined B Corp environmental agency Beyondly in 2006 and rose up the ranks to become managing director while having two daughters along the way. “They’re teenagers now, but I still work part-time for work-life balance. I want to lead by example.”
The company nearly doubled profits this year and donates an annual 5% to charities and community projects. “Financial success gives us the opportunity to do more good. This doesn’t feel like work, it’s a passion.”
Financial success gives us the opportunity to do more good. This doesn’t feel like work, it’s a passion.”
Q&A
What’s been your biggest challenge?
I’ve always suffered from imposter syndrome. Stepping up to the Managing Director role was overwhelming and my first thought was, “I can’t do it.” I put myself through the same recruitment process as everyone else to reassure the team (and myself) that I was qualified to do the job. That really helped with my confidence. I also took the time to have a one-to-one chat with every employee – all 55 of them – to discuss their challenges and concerns.
How do you motivate people?
I set out a roadmap to 2030 and got the whole team involved. Our bonus scheme is linked to those targets and the earning potential is up to 40% of your salary. We offer extra perks like massages in the office, and we have a weekly ‘gratitude train’ to encourage appreciative feedback. As we’ve had a really successful year, we’re taking everyone to The Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire for the weekend to say thank you.
What’s been your proudest moment?
Last year we gave £13,000 to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope through our Funds for Change programme, which covered its running costs for the day. That hospice looked after my dad in his final days, so I was thrilled to help a charity so close to my heart.
