“I knew I wanted something more. I needed a role that genuinely excited me, something that made me want to jump out of bed in the morning.”

ETHAN KINNEY – HR ADMINISTRATOR

My Role at ICE

HR at ICE is dynamic, and my role spans multiple areas, from recruitment and onboarding to employee development, training, and ensuring compliance with employment law. I work closely with our HR Associate and HR & Finance Director to support the business as it grows, making sure our team is on the journey with us.

How I Got Here

When I joined ICE at 18, it was my first real office job. Honestly, I felt like the education system had let me down. I wasn’t considered a “clever” student, and my grades reflected that. It felt like the system focused on those who were already set up for success, while the rest of us were left behind.

But then ICE gave me an opportunity. I started as a Business Administrator, and over two and a half years, I discovered a strength I hadn’t fully realised before: I was good with people. When a role opened up in HR, I went for it, and I got it. Since then, I’ve grown tremendously and continue to do so every day.

Now, I’m working on completing my Level 5 CIPD qualification outside of ICE, which is an exciting step in my development.

My Journey So Far

When I first started in 2018, I wasn’t sure what I wanted from my career. As a Business Administrator, I handled general admin tasks, but deep down, I knew I wanted something more. I needed a role that genuinely excited me, something that made me want to jump out of bed in the morning.

That’s when I started supporting my line manager with HR-related tasks: booking interviews, scheduling onboarding meetings, and sending out talent and culture maps. I found myself genuinely enjoying it. The turning point came when I was invited to sit in on an interview with the HR team. I suddenly felt part of something bigger, and I knew this was the path I wanted to take.

When the business identified the need for a dedicated HR Administrator, I didn’t hesitate to apply. I was excited, motivated, and confident that I could do a great job. I got the role, and from there, I started working closely with our HR & Finance Director while being mentored by our HR Associate. Over the past three years, I’ve grown from handling admin tasks to taking on more strategic responsibilities.

Now, I’m leading HR projects, managing employee relations, and developing policies and procedures to bring clarity across the organisation. I’ve taken on additional responsibilities, moving towards an HR Advisor role, with my sights set on becoming an HR Manager in the future.

A Day in My Life

No two days in HR are the same. One day, I might be deep in recruitment, ensuring we bring in the right talent. The next, I could be handling employee relations or developing onboarding plans.

I always start my day with HR admin tasks, updating our People HR system, reviewing holidays and sickness records, and checking in on ongoing projects. Then, I shift into recruitment, onboarding, and policy development, balancing the long-term goals of the business with the immediate needs of our team.

The Opportunities I’ve Had

Taking on the HR Administrator role was a major step in my career. It allowed me to grow from admin support into a strategic role, where I now contribute to key HR initiatives. Over the past three years, I’ve developed skills in employee relations, policy creation, and HR project management.

The next step? Becoming an HR Advisor, then working towards a management role. I also want to complete a Level 3 Coaching qualification, which will allow me to support and develop our team even further.

Ultimately, I want to help shape ICE’s HR function into a strong, well-led team with a clear mission and a positive, people-first culture. We already have a fantastic foundation; I just want to be part of leading it forward.

Being Part of Team ICE

Working at ICE has been an amazing experience. The organisation is making a real difference in society, and it’s inspiring to see our team grow and drive the mission forward in their ways.

Reading Turn the Ship Around really shifted my perspective. It made me realise that organisations like ICE operate like a massive submarine set on a mission, requiring strong leadership and accountability. Leaders need to understand their team’s strengths and put people in the right positions to succeed.

That’s exactly what ICE is doing. Every new contract we win is an extension of that submarine, all pushing toward the same mission. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us, and I’m even more excited to play a part in leading the way.