We are delighted to celebrate Kirsty Mauger’s five-year anniversary with RAW. Over the past half-decade, Kirsty has built a career filled with achievements, challenges, and plenty of memorable moments. In this conversation with our Head of People, Kate Gibson, she reflects on her journey so far, sharing insights into what she has learned, the culture that has shaped her, and the milestones that stand out most.
A supportive start
KATE: Can you share what initially attracted you to RAW?
KIRSTY: I was drawn to the role because of the part-time and term-time structure. At the time, having a balance between work and family life was really important with a young child at home. What made it even more appealing was RAW’s focus on mortgages, an area I already had experience in and was keen to develop further.
Thinking back to your first day at RAW, what stands out most and how did those early experiences help shape your journey here?
My first day felt a little overwhelming as it had been three years since I last worked after having my daughter. What I remember most was how welcoming everyone was. It also helped that Marisa started on the same day, which made it easy to settle in and share experiences as we both found our feet.
Evolving the role
How have your responsibilities changed since you first joined RAW?
I started out in the New Business team, supporting a colleague with processing applications. My role involved liaising with brokers and handling incoming deals. As the team grew, my responsibilities shifted more towards administration. Being part-time, it made sense for the full-time members of the team to manage most broker relationships, while I focused on processing fees and providing support behind the scenes.
Is there a project or accomplishment from your time at RAW that you are especially proud of?
In 2023 I moved to the Mortgage Execution team to support the loan renewal process. Up until then, renewals had been a relatively small part of the business and had never had a dedicated person managing the process. As the loan book grew, the number of renewals increased significantly, and it became clear this needed to be a more established function.
Taking on the role felt like a turning point. I reviewed the process from start to finish, looked at what we did and why, and made changes to create more efficiency while ensuring we did not expose ourselves to unnecessary risks. That experience pushed me to think differently, question established practices, and deliver smarter solutions that worked for both the team and the business.
Since then, I have continued to refine the process and trained a colleague to take on renewals too. It has been rewarding to see them adopt the same mindset of challenging and improving the way things are done. Working together on the next stage of changes feels like a real step forward. It shows how much I have learned at RAW and how much I enjoy sharing that learning and growing alongside others.
Improving how we work
What skills or experiences have you developed at RAW that have contributed most to your growth?
KIRSTY: I have always considered myself a people person. When looking for improvements or changes, I try to think about the impact both on the company internally and on the borrower at the other side of the transaction. It matters to me that our professional counterparties and borrowers have a positive experience with us, and that is always at the forefront of my mind.
I also care about the experience of colleagues. I want RAW employees to enjoy their time here, which is one of the reasons I was keen to take on the Assistant Manager role in the Mortgage Execution team. I work closely with the Manager in many areas, but more than anything I want our team to enjoy what they do, feel encouraged, and have a good time while doing it.
What have been some of the most significant challenges you have faced, and how did you overcome them?
In 2021 I took on the CeMAP exams, and in the same year my sister-in-law kindly signed me up to the Manchester Marathon as a birthday gift! At the time I was working part-time with a four-year-old at home, so balancing everything was already a challenge. Add in a Covid lockdown, marathon training, and three exams within twelve months, and it certainly kept me busy.
I was fortunate to have a strong support network around me, and RAW’s flexibility made a huge difference. During lockdown I was able to adapt my hours to suit family life, and the team has always been understanding if I need to adjust for family reasons.
I am proud to say that I completed the marathon (it was not pretty!) and passed all three exams within the year. None of it would have been possible without the support I had at home and the flexibility I have always had at RAW. That flexibility works both ways, and I am always happy to put in extra time when the team is especially busy.
Growing together
How would you describe the culture at RAW, and what impact have your colleagues had on your journey?
The culture at RAW feels supportive and collaborative. I have enjoyed every role and worked hard to get to where I am now, but I would not have done it without the people around me. I have made many good friends along the way, and it makes a real difference to have that kind of support day to day.
I have also learned so much from my colleagues. Most of what I know now has come from taking the time to listen, ask questions, and have conversations with others in the office. There is always more to learn, but I really value the way we share knowledge and experiences because that is how I learn best.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the coming years?
Right now feels like my busiest era, both at work and at home. My focus is to work hard, get the job done, and enjoy it. I am really happy in the role I am in, and my goal is to keep developing where I am rather than looking to move up at this stage.
Given how much you have learned from those around you, what advice would you give to someone just starting out at RAW?
Take every opportunity to learn from the people around you. Do not be afraid to ask questions, even if they feel small, because that is the best way to build confidence in your role. Embrace the busy periods, enjoy the lighter moments with your colleagues, and remember not to take it all too seriously.
How do you balance professional growth with personal life, and what do you enjoy outside of work?
I feel fortunate to work part-time, which makes it easier to manage the balance between work and home. The balance is never perfect, but I have learned to embrace that. RAW has always been flexible with me and I try to give that flexibility back, whether that means doing overtime or adjusting my hours. I do not take it for granted, because it is rare to find an employer that truly values both home life and work life.
Outside of work I spend a lot of time on creative projects. Currently I am making a pom pom rug, although that has turned into a long project because I am very good at starting things and not finishing them! I have also removed the grout from my bathroom floor and plan to replace it with glitter grout, hopefully by Christmas which is my favourite time of year. I also go to a tap class. I am not very good at it and usually out of time, but it is a lot of fun and I love it.
Looking back, what has surprised you most about your journey at RAW?
For me it has been realising how much impact you can have no matter what role you hold. If you spot something that could be improved, the Directors are willing to listen and will make changes if it makes sense for the business. You do not have to fight through endless layers to be heard, which makes you feel valued and shows that every voice matters here.
Kirsty’s journey over the past five years is a brilliant example of how dedication, flexibility, and a focus on people can make a real impact. We are proud of everything she has achieved and grateful for the energy and positivity she brings to her colleagues and to the business. Congratulations to Kirsty on this milestone, and we look forward to seeing all that she continues to accomplish in the years ahead.