The person keeping Hive humming
Just as places need planners, consultancies need people who connect the dots, solve problems and keep everything moving.
Since joining Hive in 2022, Jenna Crombie has become exactly that. As Office Manager, her role stretches far beyond diaries and stationery. From HR and IT to health and safety, recruitment and social value, she’s involved in almost every aspect of the business.
We asked Jenna to let us in on what goes on behind the scenes at Hive.
How did you come to work at Hive?
I’ve spent almost my entire career in the built environment. I’ve worked in construction, surveying and planning for nearly 20 years, and throughout that time I’ve always worked in office management and PA roles, supporting senior teams and helping businesses run smoothly.
After my previous role, a mutual contact introduced me to Stuart because Hive was looking for someone to help support the next stage of the company’s growth. The timing couldn’t have been better.
I joined in September 2022, just as Hive was moving into its Salford office. It felt like the right opportunity at exactly the right moment.
Tell us about the engine room of Hive. What does your role actually involve?
Honestly, aside from advising clients directly, I’m involved in almost everything.
I’ve probably got one of the widest views of the whole business. I look after HR, IT, invoicing, marketing, client hospitality, recruitment, compliance, health and safety, events and much more.
A big part of my role is making sure we’re meeting the requirements our clients expect, whether that’s maintaining accreditations, managing cyber security training or making sure we’re compliant with health and safety legislation.
At the same time, I’m heavily involved in instilling our culture and values across everything we do. I’m the team’s Mental Health First Aider and get involved in our social value work too.
One of the highlights recently was carrying out mock interviews with Year 10 pupils through the Salford Foundation. It was mentally exhausting, but incredibly rewarding. I love helping people build confidence.
No two days are ever the same, and that’s exactly what I enjoy.
What would you say your superpower is?
I’d probably say understanding people.
After working closely with the team for so long, I get a real sense of how everybody works. I can often anticipate what someone needs before they’ve even finished explaining it. Sometimes I think I can read their minds, so I guess that’s my superpower!
Stuart described himself as "a fixer". Who fixes things when the fixers need fixing?
Well I’d have to say that’s me!
A lot of what I do isn’t especially visible, but it helps create the environment where everyone else can do their jobs well.
When you’ve got four directors who all have urgent priorities, part of my job is understanding what genuinely needs attention first and finding a route through it.
I suppose I’m a problem solver, but usually in quite a subtle way. I like finding solutions that help everyone move forwards.
I know our directors well. I understand how they think, what makes them tick and what they need from me, often before they’ve had to ask.
What gets you up in the morning?
I love organising things and I love working with people.
The biggest reward is seeing other people succeed and knowing you’ve helped them get there.
And I genuinely enjoy the variety. No two days are ever the same.
What makes Hive different?
The culture.
Hive isn’t a big corporate business with lots of red tape. The directors are approachable, they listen and everyone has a voice.
One thing I really admire is that everybody helped shape our values. It wasn’t something that was handed down from the top. The whole team contributed, and I think that says a lot about the kind of business Hive is.
We also look out for each other. Whether it’s team activities, networking events or simply supporting one another, there’s a real sense that people matter here.
What's something you've learned about running a successful consultancy?
Trust your instincts.
And listen properly before jumping to a solution.
It’s easy to think you have to have the answer immediately, but often the best thing you can do is listen without judgement, encourage different opinions and take the time to think things through.
The best decisions aren’t always the quickest ones.
Finally… if you ran off and joined the circus tomorrow, what would the team suddenly realise you do?
This is an interesting one! If I left tomorrow, it wouldn’t be one big task they’d realise, it would be all the little things I quietly keep going in the background. I’m the person making sure the health and safety records and insurance are in place, and our accreditations are up to date. These are the sort of things nobody really notices until they stop happening.
I may not be a juggler in the circus but I’m certainly one at Hive.
If the team can get on with their jobs without ever having to think about any of that, I’ve done mine. That’s probably the biggest compliment someone in my role can get.
