Spotlight Series: Katie Kinloch

For our latest Spotlight series, we caught up with Katie Kinloch, Business Support and Marketing Manager at Solvd., the business process outsourcing company within Transport UK.  From managing branding, events, and internal communications to ensuring smooth business travel and office operations, her role is as varied as it is impactful. She spoke to us about the importance of teamwork, creativity, and Solvd.’s supportive culture in driving success.

1.     Can you tell us a bit about Solvd. and how it fits into the Transport UK group? Do you work on any transport projects?

Solvd. is a business process outsourcing company that provides services such as payroll, HR, finance, and customer experience. We support the operating companies within the Transport UK group by delivering essential back-office functions like payroll and finance processing, as well as customer support services.

Within my team, we also provide business travel support for colleagues across Transport UK, particularly for those working in rail replacement, who are based all over the UK. I also support internal communications and have improved story telling through graphic design on Transport UK’s website. While I’m not directly involved in frontline transport projects, my role helps ensure the operational and support functions behind them run smoothly.

2.     Can you describe your main responsibilities as Business Support and Marketing Manager?

In my role as Business Support and Marketing Manager, my responsibilities are quite diverse. I oversee branding and marketing materials, manage internal communication channels such as newsletters, email updates, and our intranet, and I also lead on event management, from office engagement activities to our annual summer events. Alongside that, I’m responsible for our website and social media presence. On the business support side, I oversee functions like business travel and general office management, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across the company.

3.     Can you tell us about your journey to this role?

I’ve always been drawn to communications because I enjoy storytelling and creating engaging content. At school, English and business management were my favourite subjects, which naturally led me towards studying marketing. My first marketing role came while I was still a student, working at Optical Express, where I gained hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment. From there, I built my career across both marketing and operational roles, including time in shipping and the fire protection sector, which gave me a real appreciation of how different industries operate. When I joined Solvd., I was able to bring together these varied experiences and develop my skills further.

4.    Can you share a piece of advice or a lesson you learned you carry with you in your career? 

One lesson I carry with me is to appreciate everyone’s role in a project, no matter how big or small. A former marketing director once shared with me the story of the NASA janitor who, when asked by President Kennedy what he was doing, replied: “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” Whether or not the story is true, the message has stuck with me. Every role contributes to the bigger picture, whether it’s frontline colleagues, finance teams, or those of us in support functions. Keeping that perspective helps me value teamwork and see the purpose behind the work we do.

5.    What do you enjoy most about your role?

I know this is a bit of a cliche answer but what I enjoy most is the variety. No two days are the same. I get to combine creative work, like communications and events, with the organisational side of business support, which keeps things interesting. I also really value the people aspect of my role, whether that’s helping colleagues stay connected through communications or supporting them with the practicalities of business travel and office needs. It’s rewarding to make people’s day’s that bit easier through what  we do behind the scenes .

6.    How do you balance the “business support” and “marketing” sides of your work?

It can definitely be a challenge at times, but strong organisation and clear prioritisation make it manageable. I’ve also found that the two sides complement each other. An understanding of business processes and strategy helps me deliver more effective communications and marketing campaigns. So, while it requires focus to balance, they really do go hand-in-hand.

7.     What marketing or engagement initiatives are you most proud of?

A few stand out. I was proud to support the press rollout for our first non-transport client, St Mirren Football Club, which was exciting to see picked up locally in Scotland. I also really enjoyed creating our brand and recruitment videos in collaboration with a creative agency. It was rewarding to see our brand come to life in a fresh way. On the engagement side, I love organising team events, from our full-team briefings to the Christmas party. They take a lot of planning, but it’s wonderful to see colleagues come together, enjoy themselves, and feel connected. 

8.    How would you describe the culture at Solvd to someone thinking of joining the team?

Solvd. has a very people-focused culture. There’s a real sense of community, and well-being and development are genuinely prioritised. Since joining in early 2023, I’ve had opportunities to grow both my existing skills and new ones, all within a supportive and collaborative environment. It’s a place where you feel empowered to take on challenges and expand your career, knowing you’re surrounded by colleagues who want you to succeed.

9.    Where do you draw your creativity and design ideas from?

I find that focus is key. I like setting aside time to really shut out distractions and think creatively. I also take inspiration from other creatives, particularly female-led communities. One I follow closely is Pretty Little Marketer, founded by Sophie Miller, which shares brilliant insights, campaigns, and resources, especially for the B2B space. Since so much marketing inspiration tends to focus on consumer brands, I find resources like this invaluable for sparking fresh ideas that work in a business-to-business environment like Solvd. and Transport UK.