"Be brave, embrace every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. The rewards will follow."

Sharon’s journey at THG began in our Legal team in March 2022. In just two and a half years, she has earned a promotion and been appointed Lead of the Black Community Network. Read on to discover her career path from Law School and her advice to ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’.

My journey with THG began in March 2022 as a Paralegal. After nearly two years, I was promoted to Trainee Solicitor in the Legal Team within our Central Division. Our team, based in the glass office or ‘aquarium’ at Icon, handles a wide range of legal matters crucial to the company’s success. This promotion was a significant milestone for me, and it has allowed me to further develop my legal skills and take on more complex work within the team. 

I graduated with a first-class law degree from Kingston University, where I also had the incredible opportunity to spend a year studying abroad in Southern California. This experience exposed me to diverse legal perspectives and cultures, broadening my understanding of the law globally. 

After completing my degree, I earned my LPC qualification from BPP Law School part-time while working during the pandemic. This challenging period pushed me to develop stronger written communication skills and sharpen my ability to articulate complex ideas clearly in virtual settings. Balancing work and part-time study taught me a lot about time management and resilience. Looking back, I feel like my role at THG came at exactly the right time in my personal development and career. The challenges I faced during the pandemic better prepared me for the fast-paced, dynamic environment at THG, where adaptability and clear communication are key to success.  

As a Trainee Solicitor, I assist solicitors with legal research and administrative tasks while managing my own caseload. What I loved about working at THG from the beginning is the level of responsibility I was trusted with, which is not always typical for Trainee Solicitor roles in other organisations. 

I have had the opportunity to work on a range of matters, such as: 

Reviewing and negotiating supplier contracts: Collaborating with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure contracts met our commercial and legal needs.  

Negotiating NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements): Handling sensitive information and negotiating terms to safeguard THG’s interests. A memorable NDA was the Williams Racing partnership, which catalyzed a multi-year partnership across THG’s brands. 

Drafting terms and conditions: Working closely with different business areas to create tailored terms and conditions for various campaigns, promotions, or supplier agreements. This has been one of my favourite tasks and not only taught me a lot about the commercial side of the business but also about the need for precision and clarity in legal drafting. 

Influencer and Ambassador Contracts: Managing high-value contracts involving collaborations with athletes, influencers, and industry experts across multiple divisions. It’s been incredibly rewarding to play a part in some high-profile and innovative campaigns, and the variety of projects keeps the work dynamic and engaging. 

Competition Terms and Conditions, ASA and Regulatory compliance: Drafting competition terms and ensuring compliance with ASA guidelines and regulatory standards. Ensuring these competitions are ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) compliant is crucial, and I regularly conduct compliance checks on our social media platforms and websites to make sure everything adheres to regulatory guidelines. 

Through these experiences, I’ve grown my expertise in commercial law and contract negotiation. One of the biggest challenges was managing competing priorities, which taught me strong organizational skills and effective collaboration with colleagues across teams. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at THG has been my involvement in the Black Community Network (BCN), which I now lead. After being an active member since I joined THG in 2022, it was an honour to step up into the role of Lead in August. This role has pushed me to develop valuable leadership skills, particularly in delegation, mobilising teams, and bringing people together to work towards a common goal. My focus has been on creating a safe space for honest conversations, where individuals can feel heard, respected, and supported. 

One initiative I’m particularly proud of is contributing to THG’s internal managers’ toolkit. I supplied resources aimed at helping managers create a more inclusive and culturally aware working environment. The toolkit includes podcasts, reading materials, and YouTube videos to equip leaders with the tools they need to foster diversity and inclusivity within their teams. This resource has had a real impact in ensuring that conversations around diversity and inclusion are backed by tangible actions. 

Another exciting project has been hosting the BCN Book Club in THG Studios. This initiative has been a fantastic way to prompt engaging discussions and encourage diversity of thought. The book club brings together colleagues from different teams to explore literature that highlights diverse experiences, sparking conversations that go beyond just work. These discussions have been eye-opening and have helped foster a deeper sense of understanding and community within THG. By leading BCN, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with employees across the business and encourage a culture of openness, where everyone can bring their full selves to work. 

My advice to anyone starting at THG—or thinking about applying—is simple: Feel the fear and do it anyway. Don’t let the fear of something not working out stop you from going for it. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll learn a valuable lesson if things don’t go to plan. And the best? You’ll gain an amazing opportunity just by daring to try! 

THG is a fantastic place to start or grow your career. The work is dynamic, fast-paced, and constantly evolving. No two weeks are ever the same, and regardless of which team you’re in, you’ll be challenged in the best way possible. So, my advice is to be brave, embrace every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. The rewards will follow.