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Susan McClean, from the ground up

Susan McClean Operations Director

I could not be prouder of the journey I have been on, or with the company that supported me and believed in me for the last twelve years. I still love what I do and look forward to continuing my Audley journey. Just remember It’s not what we do, it’s why we do it that counts!

Susan McLean, Operations Director

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Susan McClean Operations Director

I could not be prouder of the journey I have been on, or with the company that supported me and believed in me for the last twelve years. I still love what I do and look forward to continuing my Audley journey. Just remember It’s not what we do, it’s why we do it that counts!

Susan McLean, Operations Director

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Sue, this is your thirteenth year at Audley, did you do anything to mark the occasion?

I actually didn’t on the day itself. I’m embarking on the next stage of my career journey, in my new role as Operations Director, so that in itself feels like a milestone.

Congratulations on your recent promotion to Operations Director. How does it feel to be where you are now in your career?

Extremely proud. I feel like I’m really invested in our company values. I never expected when I took time out to raise my family that I would one day be lucky enough to have this huge opportunity.

Having worked from the ground up, how have your experiences in each previous role helped you to shape this role and how you manage others?

I was Club Services Supervisor, then CSM (equivalent to Operations Manager) then Village Manager, then General Manager, then Regional Operations Director, and now Operations Director for the Group. Having first hand experience in those roles definitely helps me to appreciate the challenges our team members face, which in turn enables me to better support and guide them in their role. 

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Sue, this is your thirteenth year at Audley, did you do anything to mark the occasion?

I actually didn’t on the day itself. I’m embarking on the next stage of my career journey, in my new role as Operations Director, so that in itself feels like a milestone.

Congratulations on your recent promotion to Operations Director. How does it feel to be where you are now in your career?

Extremely proud. I feel like I’m really invested in our company values. I never expected when I took time out to raise my family that I would one day be lucky enough to have this huge opportunity.

Having worked from the ground up, how have your experiences in each previous role helped you to shape this role and how you manage others?

I was Club Services Supervisor, then CSM (equivalent to Operations Manager) then Village Manager, then General Manager, then Regional Operations Director, and now Operations Director for the Group. Having first hand experience in those roles definitely helps me to appreciate the challenges our team members face, which in turn enables me to better support and guide them in their role. 

,
Book by Simon Sinek - Start with why

Is there anyone or anything which particularly helped you in your career progression?

Several years ago my Operations Director gave me a book ‘Start with why – How great leaders inspire everyone to take action’ which was inspiring to me. It sounds simple but it really made me think about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I became really focused on opening my mind to the fact that I wasn’t starting again, I was picking up where I left off before I had my family. I pushed myself and continued to drive forward, which I still do.

,
Book by Simon Sinek - Start with why

Is there anyone or anything which particularly helped you in your career progression?

Several years ago my Operations Director gave me a book ‘Start with why – How great leaders inspire everyone to take action’ which was inspiring to me. It sounds simple but it really made me think about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I became really focused on opening my mind to the fact that I wasn’t starting again, I was picking up where I left off before I had my family. I pushed myself and continued to drive forward, which I still do.

,

How does your career, both before your family and at Audley, compare to your aspirations as a little girl?

As a child I wanted to be a librarian, but as I’m one of the most energic people on the planet my mum told me that was ridiculous. I’m a people person, and I thrive in a busy environment, so I’d say my career path has brought me to exactly where I should be.

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How does your career, both before your family and at Audley, compare to your aspirations as a little girl?

As a child I wanted to be a librarian, but as I’m one of the most energic people on the planet my mum told me that was ridiculous. I’m a people person, and I thrive in a busy environment, so I’d say my career path has brought me to exactly where I should be.

,
Barbados

With each promotion comes more responsibility. How do you unwind?

I travel! I love holidays and any kind of travel, I love researching travel, I love programmes about travel – it’s my escapism. I love the big wide world – that’s what inspires me to work so hard.

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Barbados

With each promotion comes more responsibility. How do you unwind?

I travel! I love holidays and any kind of travel, I love researching travel, I love programmes about travel – it’s my escapism. I love the big wide world – that’s what inspires me to work so hard.

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Are there any tips or routines you follow to keep on top of everything?

I like a really nice notebook and a good list. Staying organised helps.

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Are there any tips or routines you follow to keep on top of everything?

I like a really nice notebook and a good list. Staying organised helps.

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Susan McClean at Operations Director In Training Programme in 2021

What was the highlight for you?

I enjoyed the coaching. I learned a lot from that, coupled with re-reading my book. I went on a bit of a self-discovery journey.

You went through the Operations Director In Training programme at Audley, how did that help you?

It was invaluable and very well-timed. The training started in 2019, but was massively impacted by the pandemic so most of the training was on the job. Our first challenge in that role was guiding the villages through covid.

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Susan McClean at Operations Director In Training Programme in 2021

What was the highlight for you?

I enjoyed the coaching. I learned a lot from that, coupled with re-reading my book. I went on a bit of a self-discovery journey.

You went through the Operations Director In Training programme at Audley, how did that help you?

It was invaluable and very well-timed. The training started in 2019, but was massively impacted by the pandemic so most of the training was on the job. Our first challenge in that role was guiding the villages through covid.

,

As Operations Director, you now drive forward the OMIT and GMIT strategy for others in the business. How do you select who is given that opportunity?

Yes, the Operations Manager In Training and General Manager In Training programmes continue to be well-received by all at Audley. 

It supports people already in role by supporting their training and development, to give them the tools to be their best selves, and for others it gives them an opportunity to progress. In both cases it supports them in their journey with Audley. Because we’re unique in what we do, there isn’t an off-the-shelf solution. With the Academy’s support, we open it up to everyone who’s on that pathway, as long as they are willing and dedicated. 

That must be extremely rewarding to see others progress in their career?

We’ve had successes from both programmes, and we’ve seen people excel when they thoroughly deserve to. I believe in paying it forward. I was given so many opportunities that others also deserve. As long as they want it and they put in the work. I’d say this is probably my most enjoyable part of the role, it’s genuinely rewarding. I am forever grateful that people gave that time to support me. 

I’m also thankful to all the stakeholders that help drive this forward – I rely on stakeholders across the group to give their time to support the GMIT and OMIT training. It speaks volumes about our culture at Audley.

You are on the ESG committee, championing how we drive forward our commitment to sustainability and becoming Net Zero Carbon. What does ESG mean to you?

At Audley, good is at the heart of everything we do. It’s about more than just making a profit – it’s about building a better future for our homeowners and our team members, and a big part of that future is dependant on taking better care of our planet. We all have a role to play and every change for the better, no matter how small, is a  positive step forward.

Have there been any significant changes at Audley?

We are continuously driving forward positive change at our villages. I’m delighted that we now have electric car charging points at all villages. Things have come on a long way in the last 12 months. 

,

As Operations Director, you now drive forward the OMIT and GMIT strategy for others in the business. How do you select who is given that opportunity?

Yes, the Operations Manager In Training and General Manager In Training programmes continue to be well-received by all at Audley. 

It supports people already in role by supporting their training and development, to give them the tools to be their best selves, and for others it gives them an opportunity to progress. In both cases it supports them in their journey with Audley. Because we’re unique in what we do, there isn’t an off-the-shelf solution. With the Academy’s support, we open it up to everyone who’s on that pathway, as long as they are willing and dedicated. 

That must be extremely rewarding to see others progress in their career?

We’ve had successes from both programmes, and we’ve seen people excel when they thoroughly deserve to. I believe in paying it forward. I was given so many opportunities that others also deserve. As long as they want it and they put in the work. I’d say this is probably my most enjoyable part of the role, it’s genuinely rewarding. I am forever grateful that people gave that time to support me. 

I’m also thankful to all the stakeholders that help drive this forward – I rely on stakeholders across the group to give their time to support the GMIT and OMIT training. It speaks volumes about our culture at Audley.

You are on the ESG committee, championing how we drive forward our commitment to sustainability and becoming Net Zero Carbon. What does ESG mean to you?

At Audley, good is at the heart of everything we do. It’s about more than just making a profit – it’s about building a better future for our homeowners and our team members, and a big part of that future is dependant on taking better care of our planet. We all have a role to play and every change for the better, no matter how small, is a  positive step forward.

Have there been any significant changes at Audley?

We are continuously driving forward positive change at our villages. I’m delighted that we now have electric car charging points at all villages. Things have come on a long way in the last 12 months. 

,
The Audley Insider digital newsletter for owners

In what other ways are you striving to be more sustainable?

We have created an online newsletter and an App to reduce paper and print. Our owners are huge advocates for this too. More and more of our marketing and communication is online.

,
The Audley Insider digital newsletter for owners

In what other ways are you striving to be more sustainable?

We have created an online newsletter and an App to reduce paper and print. Our owners are huge advocates for this too. More and more of our marketing and communication is online.

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In your role you regularly travel to our beautiful villages around the country. Is the commuting time productive? 

Due to the proximity of the villages I’m conscious to create an ongoing circular route, to keep commute to a minimum. I make sure my commute is productive for thinking time. 

Do you have a favourite podcast or music genre to listen to on your long journeys?

I like Steve Bartlett (British entrepreneur) podcasts and I love to listen to Radio 1. I like the early morning breakfast quiz on Radio 1.

Can you see yourself living at an Audley or Mayfield village one day?

Not for a long time – I don’t plan to give up working any time soon. Although some of our owners continue to work in some capacity long after they move in, so who knows.

If so, do you have a favourite? (we won’t tell!)

As my Nanan used to say, today you’re my favourite. Every village feels like my favourite when I’m there. 

What makes you most proud to be part of the senior team at Audley?

We’re the leading retirement village operator in the sector and I’m really proud to have been with Audley since we had only 4 villages. We now have 19. I’m really proud to have been part of that journey and we’ve all evolved together. 

,

In your role you regularly travel to our beautiful villages around the country. Is the commuting time productive? 

Due to the proximity of the villages I’m conscious to create an ongoing circular route, to keep commute to a minimum. I make sure my commute is productive for thinking time. 

Do you have a favourite podcast or music genre to listen to on your long journeys?

I like Steve Bartlett (British entrepreneur) podcasts and I love to listen to Radio 1. I like the early morning breakfast quiz on Radio 1.

Can you see yourself living at an Audley or Mayfield village one day?

Not for a long time – I don’t plan to give up working any time soon. Although some of our owners continue to work in some capacity long after they move in, so who knows.

If so, do you have a favourite? (we won’t tell!)

As my Nanan used to say, today you’re my favourite. Every village feels like my favourite when I’m there. 

What makes you most proud to be part of the senior team at Audley?

We’re the leading retirement village operator in the sector and I’m really proud to have been with Audley since we had only 4 villages. We now have 19. I’m really proud to have been part of that journey and we’ve all evolved together. 

,
Susan McClean at Audley Scarcroft Park launch event

What do you find most rewarding in your role?

What I still love when I go to a village, is being in the Bistro or Lounge talking to owners. That’s where I started. Owners are at the heart of everything we do and it’s so lovely to hear their happy experiences. 

,
Susan McClean at Audley Scarcroft Park launch event

What do you find most rewarding in your role?

What I still love when I go to a village, is being in the Bistro or Lounge talking to owners. That’s where I started. Owners are at the heart of everything we do and it’s so lovely to hear their happy experiences.