Every month, we share some highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA.
This month, Sarah Hogan and Emma Bell are in the spotlight – find out about Sarah’s all-girls trip to South Africa, and two major projects that have been keeping Emma busy in and outside of work.
Sarah Hogan visited South Africa with a large care package for children living in extreme poverty
Sarah Hogan has recently returned from an incredible trip to South Africa with her mum and daughters, an experience that was as eye-opening as it was heartwarming.
While travelling through Cape Town and the surrounding areas, Sarah was struck by the stark contrast between beauty and hardship, with luxurious homes and vineyards on one side of the road and informal settlements on the other.
Despite this visible inequality, what stood out most was the resilience and positivity of the South African people, their strong sense of community, and their belief in a better future.
During the trip, Sarah and her family visited Door of Hope, an early years school in Temperance Town that supports young children living in extreme poverty. Many of the children have heartbreaking stories. Some are as young as three, without shoes or proper bedding, yet their smiles and joy were unforgettable.
Before travelling, Sarah and her family collected and delivered donations of clothes, crafts, and educational supplies for the children, with support from British Airways, who kindly allowed extra luggage to carry the items. Seeing the impact first-hand was both humbling and inspiring, and the KBA team plans to continue supporting Door of Hope from afar.
As Sarah reflects, “The resilience and happiness of those children, despite having so little, is something I’ll never forget. It’s a reminder of how lucky we are, and how powerful it is to give back where we can.”
To find out more about Door of Hope or how you can get involved in supporting the causes KBA champions, please email contactme@kbafinancial.com or call us on 01942 889 883.
Emma Bell has passed another Chartered Institute of Marketing exam
Our very own Emma Bell has passed another Chartered Institute of Marketing exam!
This time, she’s mastered Planning Integrated Campaigns, the second step on her journey towards the CIM Level 4 Professional and Digital Marketing Diploma.
We made a big pot of tea, snaffled the best biscuits in the office, and sat down with her to hear all about it…
Congrats, Emma! How did it feel to pass your Planning Integrated Campaigns exam?
Honestly, amazing! It was such a rewarding feeling to see all the hard work pay off. The module really pushed me to think strategically about how campaigns fit together, so passing felt like a big personal and professional win.
How does this new qualification build on what you’ve learned in your previous marketing studies?
It definitely takes everything up a level. My previous studies focused more on individual channels and tactics, but this course really brought it all together, focusing on integration, measurement, and customer journey mapping. It’s helped me understand how to make every part of a campaign work in sync.
What’s your favourite part of planning a marketing campaign?
The strategy stage: taking an idea from a blank page and shaping it into something that feels cohesive and creative. I love finding that balance between insight and imagination and seeing how the plan translates into real-world impact.
Do you have a tip for juggling work, life, and studying?
Be kind to yourself and stay consistent. I found that doing small, focused study sessions a few times a week worked better than cramming.
And definitely celebrate the small wins along the way – they keep you motivated.
Was there a moment where it all “clicked” for you?
Yes! As cheesy as it sounds, it was when I realised how data and creativity aren’t opposites, but partners. Once I started thinking about data as a way to fuel creative decisions rather than limit them, everything made a lot more sense.
Any exciting plans for how you’ll use your new knowledge at KBA?
Absolutely! I’m already thinking about ways to make our campaigns even more joined-up, from social to client communications. I want to use what I’ve learned to help make our messaging more consistent and impactful across every channel.
What’s next – another exam, or some well-earned downtime?
A bit of both, hopefully! I’m definitely planning to take a breather, but I love learning, so I can’t imagine it’ll be too long before I start looking at the next step.
Anything else you want to share?
Yes – the KBA team have been so kind and supportive, and the encouragement made such a difference while studying alongside work. So, I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for that.
Emma Bell joined the Big Sister Programme with Girls Out Loud
One thing we all know about Emma is that she’s always up for a new challenge – and she recently joined the Girls Out Loud Big Sister Mentoring Programme.
The programme is designed to support and inspire teenage girls as they navigate their secondary school years – and if you’re a parent, you’ll have some understanding of just how much she may be taking on.
We caught up with Emma to find out what drew her to the initiative and what she’s most looking forward to as she begins this exciting new chapter.
What’s the Big Sister programme all about?
The Big Sister Programme is a mentoring initiative run by Girls Out Loud that pairs professional women with teenage girls to help build their confidence, resilience, and self-belief.
It’s all about giving young girls a positive female role model, someone they can talk to, relate to, and learn from during what can be a really tricky stage of life.
What inspired you to join the mentoring programme?
It actually started when Sarah went to a lunch where Jane Kenyon, the founder of Girls Out Loud, was speaking.
Sarah came back so inspired by the stories Jane shared – stories about how the programme had genuinely changed the lives of young girls – that she told me all about it and put me forward.
I’ve always considered myself lucky to have grown up as quite a confident person, and I’d love to help a young girl find that same sense of self-belief. Especially now, with social media and everything else going on in the world, being a teenager must be incredibly difficult.
If I can pass on even a bit of that confidence, I’ll feel like I’ve made a difference.
The idea of empowering young women to believe in themselves really resonated with me.
I also grew up with six older brothers, so I’ve never had a sister, and the thought of being that “big sister” figure for someone else felt really special.
Have you met your Little Sister yet? If so, how was it? If not, what are you most looking forward to?
I haven’t met my Little Sister just yet. I finished my final training day on 11 November 2025, which was an intense but really rewarding experience. We’re due to be paired in December, as there’s a detailed process to make sure each match is the right fit. I’m honestly so excited to meet her.
I’ve always wanted a sister, and I can’t wait to build that bond and hopefully be someone she can look up to and trust.
Was there someone in your own life who played a “Big Sister” role for you?
I’ve never had a sister, but I’ve been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by strong, inspiring women all my life, from family to friends and colleagues.
I’ve always had people around me who uplift, support, and challenge me in the best ways, and I’ve never felt alone because of that. That’s exactly the kind of influence I want to pass on to my Little Sister.
What exciting plans do you have for the time you’ll share with your Little Sister?
I’m really looking forward to getting to know her, understanding what makes her tick, what she’s passionate about, and what challenges she might be facing.
Once we’ve built that foundation, I’d love to help her find ways to grow her confidence, explore new opportunities, and maybe even have some fun days out along the way. It’s all about making her feel seen, supported, and celebrated.