Wellington Place is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a thriving community powered by people. Our People of Wellington Place series aims to spotlight our community, share their inspirational stories and find out why Wellington Place is much more than a place to work.
Interview with Kav Sangha, Vice President of HR for UK & Ireland at Equifax.
Kav Sangha plays a key role in aligning business strategy with people and performance at Equifax. With over 20 years’ experience in HR, she is passionate about helping individuals thrive, building strong, supportive environments, and championing authenticity in the workplace.
Alongside her role, she has also developed initiatives to support others in their career growth, particularly through personal brand development.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and current role?
In my role, the purpose of what I do is really to align the business strategy with the purpose of the people in the business. What I enjoy most is that it’s not only about bringing the best out of people; it’s also about giving something back to them.
When I think about business outcomes, it’s about driving high performance through individuals and getting people to a place where they feel they can thrive in an environment that grows and develops them. When we do that well, we can achieve everything we need to for the business and for our clients as well.
Is there a key lesson you’ve learned during your career that’s stayed with you?
Over my career, I’ve learned a lot. I’d say the most important lesson has been around how we think about failure. A lot of us, myself included, can get very fixated on what we need to achieve and exactly how it has to be achieved. But one of the things I carry with me is the saying: “You win, you learn, but you never fail.”
You’re either going to win, or you’re going to learn along the way. Failure only really comes when you tell yourself that you’ve failed. If something doesn’t go your way, it’s about picking yourself up, learning from it, and moving on, rather than putting yourself in a place where you feel you can’t move forward.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in HR?
I would say: don’t be afraid to be authentic. I genuinely mean that. Over my 20-plus years in HR, I’ve met a lot of people who feel they need to be a certain way because they’re “in HR” – that they have to fit a particular mould or focus only on certain things.
Of course, there are key elements we must focus on such as strategy, people, and the needs of the business, but I believe, the biggest thing is about keeping that balance. Especially in HR, it’s really important to remember that we are dealing with people, and that means real lives.
For me, it has always been about being able to represent the people who come to work for us. It’s about building that connection and understanding how we can get the best out of people, not only by encouraging them to achieve, but by focusing on their growth and development. That’s what ultimately gets the business to where it needs to be.
What is your favourite thing about working at Wellington Place and why?
Wellington Place is a vibrant place to work which offers a great sense of community and belonging. There are so many opportunities available, from exercise classes and personal development to social activities and not to mention the great places to eat!
What three words sum up Wellington Place to you and why?
Vibrant, Community, Belonging – because it’s a place where people can feel connected and be part of something bigger.
Take a look at the full interview below:
