Ever since starting her career as a tech writer within Engineering teams, Laettie Ellison’s goal had always been to work on the HR team of a tech company. “Working with engineers, I saw how much my previous coworkers struggled with the transition into management roles. I found myself intrigued by those transitions, and wanted to explore HR as a career to facilitate individual growth within organizations.” With this aspiration in mind, she worked to build foundational experience in HR working in the recruitment industry before returning to the tech world. “I was really drawn towards a company that was innovative and dynamic, and where I could be surrounded by smart, engaged people.”
Laettie joined Immersive Labs in an operational People and Culture Partner role in 2022. She recalls how her first impression with the company set her up for success: “I still remember the first phone-call I had with an internal recruiter at Immersive, having such a lovely conversation, and knowing immediately that this was a company and culture that I wanted to be a part of.”
Laettie’s role at Immersive Labs
Laettie has grown with Immersive, being promoted to Senior HR Business Partner in July 2024. “Since moving into a HRBP role I’ve been able to really embed myself in the Product and Operations worlds, so a lot of my time is spent alongside those departments.” She works with managers to understand the needs of specific teams, providing HR-related guidance and talking through any roadblocks, often operating as a sounding board to help them advance to their next step. Laettie’s days are packed with meetings, but she doesn’t mind. In fact, she loves learning what’s going on across the business, finding out what truly matters to our teams and people. Laettie also thrives knowing every day will be different in her role. “One thing’s for sure: I am never bored.”
A people person
What Laettie appreciates the most about working at Immersive Labs is the people she works with. She is ever-inspired by the drive and enthusiasm across the company, and feels like everyone genuinely cares about their role in the greater mission. “Seeing my colleagues’ commitment and passion for what we do, and being able to collaborate with and learn from them motivates me to elevate my own performance. I am confident that I am learning from the best.”
Heraccess to career development resources and the idea that the company is investing in the future for her and her fellow employees makes it easy for her to enjoy what she does. “It’s incredibly gratifying to be part of a company that not only holds itself to high professional standards, but also champions personal growth.”
The value of employee engagement
Looking back at her time at Immersive so far, Laettie’s most proud of the times she took on a professional challenge despite being intimidated by them. “Before I joined Immersive, public speaking and facilitation were really tricky for me. At Immersive, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to develop and practice these skills and I’m much more confident giving presentations now.”
Recently, Laettie took on the challenge of running the Immersive Leadership Programme for front line managers alongside the company’s Learning and Development Director, Maggie Bertram. She’s grateful for the experience she’s had learning from the managers at Immersive, reflecting on how much she’s grown by challenging herself to co-facilitate this program. “It’s taught me that often when you push yourself where you’re not comfortable is also where you grow the most.”
What Laettie finds most rewarding in her work at Immersive Labs has been related to employee engagement. She spearheaded this year’s company-wide Engagement Survey, and truly enjoyed the opportunity to gather genuine feedback from the organization.
She’s dedicated to using that information to figure out ways to make a difference and improve the experience of her fellow employees, it also gave her another chance to refine her skills, regularly presenting on company-wide standups to update the company on her team’s progress. “I’ve always personally felt that Immersive is a great place to work – but it was really rewarding to hear that people across the business feel the same and to see the positive impact my team’s work is having. It doesn’t stop here though, we’re always looking for ways to improve employee experience.”
As Laettie and her team plan and prioritize for 2025, they use the Engagement Survey data to inform their decision-making. “This is our opportunity in the HR world to be proactive rather than reactive, and what we learn from engagement with our colleagues isat the heart of what shapes our goals over the year.”
Benefits and balance
Based in Bristol, UK, Laettie works a hybrid schedule, splitting her work week between the office and home. “Hybrid working is so valuable for me. I enjoy being in the office and seeing everyone, but I also really need my own time at home to put headphones on and crack on with admin.” While she enjoys working from home, she is aware of the importance of delineating her workday from her free time in the evening. “When I’m working from home, my routine is always to cook dinner straight after I finish work, so it feels like my evening is properly separated from the working day.” She enjoys cooking and has spent her annual Learn Anything Fund on cooking classes for the last few years, learning to make pasta from scratch and trying her hand at Sri Lankan cuisine.
Outside of work, Laettie’s hobbies include “anything theatre-related.” She’s the chairman of her local theatre group in Bristol, Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS), and is currently directing the group’s winter pantomime, Panto of the Opera. “It’s completely mad, but so much fun! It’s where I get all my creativity out.” She also enjoys the fact that she gets to work on these performances with fellow Immerser, Rae Jeffries-Harris, a cybersecurity engineer with the company. Both she and Rae are passionate about theatre and are always looking for more people to be involved, welcoming anyone else who wants to play their part in the next show.
When she’s not in the theatre, Laettie loves to be outside, exploring. Beyond her professional accomplishments, her biggest achievement in 2024 was climbing Toubkal Mountain in Morocco – an incredible 4,167 metres. Even outside of work, she never shies away from a challenge, always eager to take her adventures to the next level. “I’m always happiest at the top of a mountain.”
Advice for those considering applying to Immersive Labs
Laettie encourages all driven and ambitious professionals that are up for a challenge to apply to Immersive Labs. “There is so much opportunity for growth at Immersive. I’ve found working here so empowering, I’ve developed so much in my career and as a person.”
To explore career opportunities at Immersive Labs, visit our website today.