By Agency Works 
Next up in our Meet the Team series, it’s Client Success Director, serial globetrotter, and Wild Star’s “number one groupie” Louise Neale…
Tell us about your role at Agency Works...
"Officially, my title is Client Success Director, but unofficially, I’m known as the ‘reporting queen’ by existing clients and introduced to new ones as that too!
"I’ve been involved in every role at Agency Works, at some point over the years, however I’m currently focused on supporting our lovely Synergist community. Connecting with existing clients and helping them get the most out of their Synergist system.
"The depth and longevity of our client relationships mean that you really know their processes and reporting inside out.
"So, with any new releases, or feature updates, I know which clients might benefit and where they can grow alongside the product, adapting it to meet any of their current challenges and continue to drive growth and visibility for them."
Tell us about your early career... how did you end up here?
"I originally qualified as a secondary school teacher and spent 10 years working in schools in the southeast. It was a really challenging role with lots of rewarding moments too. I enjoyed having a moral start to the day after a morning assembly!
"I loved being able to help and develop people, and I think that plays into my current role.
"Teaching in schools was all-consuming, so when I had the opportunity to move into teaching adults how to use Synergist, I was keen to take it. I joined Synergist as a trainer and after a few years, Agency Works was born.
"Back then all the onboarding and training was completed face to face, so I spent plenty of time meeting clients in lots of funky offices throughout the UK.
"I suppose I’ve stayed true to my career path... I’m still ‘teaching’!"
What do you like about agency life?
"It’s the variety. Because no two days are the same. I love being part of this industry. There are always new people to meet, and familiar faces to catch up with. There’s a real sense of community.
"I’ve helped develop a number of Synergist champions, so it’s really rewarding to see them list it as a skill and stay connected as they grow in their careers and move to other agencies. You end up knowing people who’ve worked across multiple agencies that use Synergist, and along the way you build a lot of close connections - friendships even.
"I love the fast-paced, cutting-edge nature of the industry too.
"It’s so refreshing to be part of a world that feels so ahead of the game when it comes to new tech and initiatives. You see other industries just starting a conversation on something where the agency world is already on it!"
What value do clients get from working with you?
"I help agencies bring their data to life. To make all those shiny ‘what if’ ideas – that often start in a chaotic spreadsheet – actually happen.
"Our clients know that when they come to me, I’ll help them achieve what they were looking for, whilst looping in the bigger commercial picture. With the added insights and best practice of how other agencies are doing it and how they’ve overcome similar challenges.
"We’ll talk through their thinking and how it could impact existing processes and what it will unlock for them. I help clients set things up in the best way for them, so they can see what’s actually working, and what’s not.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in this job?
"When I was at school, I wanted to be an air hostess. I think it must have been the travel element that appealed.
"I do love entertaining and cooking up new dishes. Every month I cook lunch for the team on our ‘Work from Office’ day and often experiment new dishes on them – which go down quite well.
"My guilty pleasure is watching shows like DIY SOS or Homes Under the Hammer. I’d love to be an Interior Designer. I’m always scrolling Rightmove and would love to project manage a property development... only thing I’m missing is the skills. I don’t even own a drill!"
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?
"I’ve always loved travelling, and I’d love the opportunity to live and work in another country. To get a taste of a different lifestyle.
"Inter-railing whilst a student was an amazing experience which I managed to relive through my children. We started an annual ‘European Adventure’. Taking in a capital city, then creating a photo book to capture memories. Next on the list is exploring Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, as well as South America.
"This might be quite niche, but I’d love to train as a mixologist! To be able to throw some ingredients together and shake it up into delicious cocktails. I've been practicing at ‘The Cross’, our home bar, created during lockdown.
"I’d also like to learn to salsa dance. Not Strictly Come Dancing level, strictly fun! Just to know a few moves and do it with some confidence would be good."
What do you like doing when you're not at work?
"I’m on our local village hall committee, so I’m always busy organising events of some kind. The most recent one was a drag bingo night, which was brilliant, but definitely raised some eyebrows with some of the villagers!
"Aside from that I’m sort of the unofficial booking agent for Jay’s band Wild Star and help to organise lots of their gigs and events. I’m definitely their number one groupie!
"My happy place is being by the sea, in our Norfolk cottage, walking the dogs on the beach, escaping the hustle and bustle. I love to watch the sun rise or set.
"And to have the whole family in tow makes those trips extra special too.
"My youngest has just turned 18, so he’s ‘officially’ not dependent on us anymore... It’s always great to spend time with them, and see them forge their way as sensible, confident young adults. I’m proud of all of them - we did something good!"
And finally, any interesting talents or claims to fame?
"I don't think it's very interesting but the team would say my burrito building skills, apparently it's quite hard to wrap a tortilla wrap... I spontaneously found out I'm not a bad dog show host this summer, not that I've had any official training looking for best in show!
"When I lived in London, my friend and I used to go and be part of the audience at the BBC studios, for live quiz and chat shows, if that counts. I remember we got lost in the building and found ourselves outside the changing rooms of the stars, somewhere we definitely shouldn't have been! Oh and I've swapped dog pics with Serge from Kasabian, like very proud dog parents."
