Steph Hamill FRSA
Steph Hamill FRSA is a pioneering leader in tech, health, media, and education sectors.
Recognised for blending innovation with impact, Steph drives transformative success in ventures by advocating for excellence and pragmatic social responsibility. Her mission is impactful, inclusive innovation for lasting change
- Tell us a little bit about your businesses
“I’m embedded in a suite of ventures, each a commitment to leveraging business as a force for good.” These initiatives, Divergence Supplements, Mettle, Oneday, and HAM.Agency, are mirrors of Steph’s holistic approach to creating impactful, sustainable change across diverse sectors.
Divergence Supplements stands out as a beacon of innovation in neurowellness, Steph at the helm as the visionary behind its science-backed offerings. “I enlisted the expertise of clinical nutritionist Lara Hughes and events titan Gillian Hoffman, together pioneering a comprehensive suite of inclusive health solutions.” Divergence spans a number of services from supplements to corporate workshops, advisory services, education, nutrition and events, all underpinned by a commitment to supercharging neurowellness.
Mettle reshapes the landscape of men’s mental fitness through cutting-edge technology and enhanced user experience. Spearheaded by leaders CEO Neil Smith, Bear Grylls OBE, Dr. Alex George, and Paul McKenna, and in collaboration with Imperial College London and The Maudsley, Mettle stands at the forefront of mental health innovation, offering transformational support and advocacy.
At Oneday, an EdTech accelerator and MBA programme, Steph’s influence is profound. Serving as a Senior Entrepreneur in Residence, she has also contributed as interim CMO and is the creative mind behind the Brand and Marketing academic module. “My work with Oneday seamlessly blends entrepreneurial spirit with educational innovation, fostering a new generation of business leaders equipped to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.”
HAM.AGENCY represents Steph’s entrepreneurial flair in the consultancy arena, where for six years she’s played a pivotal role in driving forward beloved brands and businesses. “My consultancy work specialises in strategic innovation, fostering growth and instigating positive change, operating largely behind the scenes to enact substantial impact across the global business landscape.”
Each venture not only showcases Steph’s diverse skill set and entrepreneurial acumen but also her profound dedication to making a tangible difference through the power of business.
2. How did you get into the industry?
My professional journey took root in the vibrant world of creative and advertising, where early experiences with household entities such as the BBC and Turner Broadcasting/Time Warner honed my skills in digital innovation, marketing, user experience, and brand engagement. This foundational period propelled me into roles with advertising giants like McCann, Razorfish, and AKQA, stretching across the globe. Despite the allure and relentless pace of the industry, a pivotal moment of clarity emerged. My deep-seated passion for social impact and a commitment to inclusivity steered me towards a new horizon. I decided to channel my expertise into ventures where strategic innovation served as the cornerstone for driving substantial and meaningful change. This transition from the high-octane world of advertising to impactful entrepreneurship marked a significant chapter in my journey, one where the aim is not just to innovate but truly transform.
3. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
Lately, I’ve found myself reevaluating my stance on open opportunities and the latitude I extend for individual potential. Has anyone else noticed that business seems to be full of self-proclaimed experts and coaches, a trend that’s become increasingly noticeable. Despite not labelling myself an expert, I encounter individuals who, with unabashed confidence (bolstered by AI and automation), proclaim their excellence. A little closer inspection reveals a disconnect, especially when it comes to basics like grammar. For instance, a social media “expert” we considered (but didn’t go with), despite glaring errors in their work, defended themselves by claiming they had ‘checked the spelling in ChatGPT’. Anyone else feel this? This highlights a pervasive issue I’ve encountered; a gap between bold promises and actual delivery, which has become my greatest challenge.
Biggest opportunity? The use of tech and AI. 😉
4. How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership philosophy is centred around empowering individuals to act boldly and innovate freely – they way I wish I had been nurtured. I often wonder how different my career may have been had I been lucky enough to be nurtured this way. I encourage my team to seek forgiveness rather than permission. I value ambition and drive, recognising that while consistency can be useful, it’s the qualities of courage, pattern recognition and opportunity spotting that truly propel us forward.
I also look for team members who possess a number of skills they are passionate about developing further. The full saying is “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” I don’t want Masters of one, I want Jacks!
Reflecting on my time at a company where I earned the nickname ‘Mum,’ I believe it encapsulates my approach perfectly. This moniker wasn’t just about nurturing; it was a testament to the blend of guidance, support, and the push towards autonomy I hope to foster.
5. How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
I cultivate an environment where team members are given the freedom to navigate their roles with autonomy, yet are fully aware that the benchmarks we set are ambitious. This approach isn’t foolproof and occasionally, it may be exploited by those whose work ethic doesn’t align with our ethos. However, when we connect with the right individuals, the results are nothing short of remarkable. Startup and scale up are not for everyone!
I find great joy in surprising my team with bonuses and expressions of appreciation when they least expect it. Discovering that three of our team members had never received a Christmas bonus prior to joining us was both surprising, and a bit disheartening. Reflecting on my own experiences, having received bonuses, I’m reminded of the lasting impact and positive affirmation they brought. It’s this feeling of genuine appreciation and acknowledgment I aim to replicate in unexpected, memorable ways.
6. What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
Smoothly and successfully aren’t always akin, so keep it LEAN. I sound like myself lecturing on the MBA, but it’s true. There’s no one size fits all solution, but being smoothly operating and successful business are multifaceted, yet interlinked, both tangible strategies and intangible qualities.
Quick takeaways I wish I’d learnt earlier:
Strategic Vision and Agility: A clear, forward-looking vision steers the direction of the business, while agility allows us to navigate the inevitable ebbs and flows of the market. Stay on course and don’t fight the tide.
Robust Comms: Transparent, open lines of communication within the team foster a culture of trust and collaboration. It’s the foundation for solving problems, innovating and ensuring everyone is aligned.
Customer-Centric: The customer is at the heart of everything. It’s a non-negotiable. Understanding needs, pain points and expectations drives us to exceed expectations.
Operational Excellence: Don’t beat yourself up, oddly, this is the most challenging element. Streamlined processes, resource management etc. eliminates inefficiencies, reduces costs, and improves quality, equalling greater chance of success. I believe great project managers are worth their weight in gold.
Empowered Team: An engaged and motivated team is the engine of any business. Investing in growth, encouraging ownership, and recognising contributions creates an environment where everyone is motivated.
Adaptive Leadership: Startup and scale up again – leadership that is responsive to change, empathetic to the team’s needs and company’s ethos, can inspire and navigate challenges.
7. How has the past 12 months been for you?
The last 12 months have been a period of significant transformation and growth for me, both professionally and personally. The highlight was undoubtedly the launch of Divergence Supplements, and its quickly gained recognition, notably being named The Evening Standard’s Number One Supplement to Watch for 2024 and running workshops for TikTok, Soho House and Alexander McQueen have been brilliant. These accolades marked a fantastic start to the year and set the stage for anticipated growth and further innovation. At Mettle, Oneday and HAM, we are also pushing boundaries with impactful projects.
Despite these professional highs, the year has also brought its share of personal challenges, including some profound losses. However, I am finding ways to navigate these challenges, learning and growing from them. This journey of recovery has been an important part of my overall growth, adding a layer of resilience and perspective to both my personal and professional life.
8. What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
In the coming year, our trajectory is set towards ambitious expansion and deepening impact, at Divergence Supplements. We’re poised to broaden our product offerings and introduce a tiered subscription model alongside comprehensive nutrition initiatives. Our goal is to demystify neurowellness for a wider audience, providing tools and knowledge for enhanced cognitive wellbeing.
Mettle is set to scale its operations, aiming to reach and transform the lives of broader audiences with more innovative solutions. Meanwhile, Oneday will leverage new partnerships and ventures to magnify its impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At HAM, the launch of my book marks a significant milestone, encapsulating commitment to making a difference through insightful knowledge and shared experiences. Across all ventures, the core mission remains unchanged: to drive forward with meaningful impact, placing it at the heart of everything I do, and continuing to inspire change in the sectors and people I reach.
9. What are the highlights of your career so far?
The zeniths of my career, I believe, are yet to unfold. However, the journey thus far has been dotted with some lovely milestones. Launching Divergence Supplements, of course, and playing a pivotal role in propelling Mettle to success represent significant achievements. Equally, breaking ground as the youngest partner for Capita and earning accolades for contributions stand out as moments of pride.
But pride can sometimes get lost with ego, and that’s something I’m keen to avoid. I maintain a critical perspective towards my achievements. Whilst accolades are affirming, my aspirations extend beyond that. My drive is the tangible difference I can make in people’s lives. It’s less about personal recognition and more about the impact of my work. A profoundly moving moment was during a meeting with the CEO of Oneday, Ranbir, and our PR team when I was confronted with the reality of personal impact: “Steph, do you realise how many lives you’ve changed?” Hearing that from Ranbir resonated with me on a deep level, anchoring my conviction that the true highlights of my career are measured in the lives touched.
10. What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
Despite advice to the contrary, I feel compelled to share a truth that has profoundly shaped my journey. During a company restructure, I was presented with the opportunity to step into my boss’s role, a position that represented the apex of my career aspirations, surrounded by a senior partnership team I deeply respected and admired. Driven by loyalty, and our close relationship, I approached him for counsel. He reassured me, suggesting he had other prospects within the company and floated the idea of embarking on a new venture together with two others, an opportunity we decided to pursue.
In hindsight, my trust was misplaced. Unbeknownst to us, he had been let go, and our venture meant effectively pulling his core leadership team, including me, out of the company. As we devoted ourselves to building our new venture, he unexpectedly departed for a role abroad, taking a valuable client with him. This revelation was a harsh blow, leaving me to deal with feelings of betrayal and bewilderment.
This incident, more than any other, stands as my greatest business misstep, a lesson that continues to echo in my decisions. An “advisor” once cautioned me against sharing this story, fearing it might cast me in a negative light. Now I am older, and hopefully wiser, I disagree. Stories like this should be shared to prevent more scenarios like this occurring. This experience doesn’t diminish my integrity; rather, it highlights a moment of naivete and unwavering loyalty. It taught me the importance of discernment and the value of viewing loyalty through a lens of informed judgement, ensuring that trust is both earned and accompanied by greater consideration
11. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Not exactly business advice, but a profound insight that has reshaped my approach to life and business; Betty Friedan’s timeless words, “You can have it all, just not all at the same time.” Discovering “The Feminine Mystique” in my late 30s, a good six decades after publication, felt like unearthing a treasure, precisely when I needed it.
At a stage in life when societal expectations for women – balancing career and title, family, personal achievements, body and health, and societal roles like charity, felt overwhelmingly demanding, Friedan was clarity. I realised that venturing away from the security of the big company, despite the risk of failure, was worth it. The fear of regret, if I didn’t embrace change, outweighed the fear of trying (and possibly failing). And it’s panned out; these past few years have been the most enlightening of my career, I’ve learnt, grown and gained deeper self-appreciation than the whole of my career before. Friedan taught me the importance of timing, patience, and the courage to pursue what truly matters, just one step at a time.
