After taking a six-month sabbatical to travel the United Arab Emirates, Australasia and Southeast Asia, Technical Project Manager Beck Roberts has returned from his once-in-a-lifetime trip into the Jayva fold.
Beck’s comeback coincides with Jayva’s launch into New Zealand as LEAP Legal Software’s certified consultancy in this new jurisdiction. Rather than simply settling comfortably into his previous role based in Manchester, Beck’s making a bold move into new territory by becoming one of the faces of Jayva in New Zealand.
Just as we did pre-sabbatical, we interviewed Beck ahead of his adventure to the archipelago in Oceania…
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Auckland, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Bali, Hanoi… there are so many fabulous accents from your sabbatical. Which cities and countries did you enjoy the most on your six-month journey and why?
Whilst I did lots in the United Arab Emirates and Australia, countries full to the brim of amazing experiences such as dune bashing in Dubai and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, I’m quite heavily biased towards the Vietnamese part of the trip.
I loved Vietnam, having spent 28 days there, five of which were on a dirt bike in the North Vietnamese mountains, sleeping in home stays with locals which were literally mud huts or in very basic hotels which were essentially one-room wide. On the bikes, I saw the Northernmost point in the country with views across to the Western Chinese mountains along the border. I was miles and miles away from civilisation where few people spoke English.
Other Vietnam highlights were cruising for three days on Ha Long Bay, hiking through the jungle, taking a night train down South and buying tailor-made clothes. All countries were absolutely brilliant in their own right but I’m leaning towards Vietnam as my favourite because it was so culturally enriching and I love motorbikes.
Your return to work couldn’t have been better timed. With Jayva establishing a presence in New Zealand as LEAP’s trusted partner, a unique opportunity has arisen to relocate from the UK to overseas. Having recently visited New Zealand, with plans to holiday there again in the future and explore the country more extensively, you’re the natural staff member choice. How do you feel about your upcoming work plans?
New Zealand was on my sabbatical itinerary. I went there after Dubai, before Cairns. I actually only spent a week in New Zealand so didn’t get to see a great deal of the country.
The environment and landscape of Auckland and surrounding areas was truly spectacular. I went to Auckland’s Sky Tower from the top of which I could see 50-odd volcanoes. It’s a beautiful city and I’m super excited to visit more places second time around including tourism related to the Lord of the Rings. I’ve read the books and seen the movies which were filmed in New Zealand. A trip to Hobbiton and long weekend skiing near Mount Doom in the North island are on my bucket list for this year – both well-known filming locations.
In 2024, I’d like to take in the South island because I didn’t venture that far during my sabbatical.
In terms of the work opportunity, I honestly feel as if I’ve won the lottery. Travelling while working has been one of my lifelong ambitions. That’s what I’ve achieved in England but I never thought I’d be lucky enough to get the chance to do it anywhere like New Zealand. I’m grateful to Jayva and really looking forward to moving out there.
I feel comfortable leaving the UK arm at this point in time, having trained my colleague Leon Vallely in a cover role during my absence. He slid right into the post and I’ve only heard good things about him.
With something new comes the departure of something old. Although your New Zealand role is on a temporary basis only, for up to 12 months, what and who will you be sad to leave behind?
I’ll be sad to leave behind my family, including our dogs. I’m returning in December, though, which is five months away. After the Christmas and New Year break, it’ll be seven or eight months before I’m home again – permanently.
Before I’ve even left British shores, I’m excited to see everyone again at the year’s end. I’ve actually booked a skiing holiday for December to Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps with 16 friends which is also something I can’t wait for.
Having just spent six months with my girlfriend Alex, I know it’s going to be difficult saying goodbye, albeit temporarily. But, I always look on the positive side and there’s so much to be positive about.
Although it’ll be a tough few months, I’m ready for the challenge of learning a completely new role, getting to know the New Zealand legal market and building relationships with a brand new client base. The mountain I’m facing is mostly on the work front. What I’m leaving behind is the lesser mountain as it’ll still be here next year.
There’s a possibility of Alex moving over with me, depending upon potential work opportunities in England in the interim. At this stage in our lives, we consider work to be vitally important. Our mindset is we’ve benefited from months of play, which is much more than most people can ever fantasise about, and now it’s time to knuckle down and progress our careers. Whether we’re together or apart over the next year, our relationship is the strongest it’s ever been, and can withstand whatever work and life throw at us.
How has your sabbatical changed you and does it prepare you in some way for settling into New Zealand longer term?
The sabbatical has drastically changed my outlook on life generally as well as from a professional perspective. Personally, I’m more confident and decisive, after coming from a place of total independence where it was myself and Alex against the world. It’s 100% prepared me for the future.
I might not have accepted this New Zealand opportunity if I hadn’t just got back from months of travelling the world. It feels as if everything I’ve done over the past four years of working at Jayva has been leading to this pivotal moment, from part time Project Coordinator to full time Project Coordinator then Technical Project Manager, and finally to this New Zealand position as Implementation Consultant. I’ve never been readier to take it on.
Before my sabbatical, I created a raft of resources for Leon so he could hit the ground running when standing in for me. I didn’t know it then, but all this work was preparation for this big New Zealand job. The prep’s done and my replacement’s sorted. It’s crazy how life turns out and what curve balls get thrown when you’re least expecting them.
To share a little anecdote from a few weeks after leaving New Zealand, when Alex and I were journeying Australia in a campervan, on an eight-hour stretch of driving from Townsville to Agnes Water, we started talking about how amazing it would be to live and work in New Zealand, especially Auckland. Fast forward a few weeks and my boss Nicola Moore-Miller calls me offering exactly that. It was completely bonkers, a massive coincidence and the chance of a lifetime. The answer was formulated on that drive, long before the question was asked.
What were your impressions of New Zealand during your voyage – the people, the places, the culture, the food? And, what was the most unexpected thing you discovered?
New Zealand was stunning and the weather was gorgeous. It was hot with clear blue skies everywhere. My very first introduction to New Zealand was arriving at 4am and booking a hostel last minute. At 10am the next day, I was awake in zombie-like state due to the time difference and thanks to jet lag, on a ferry across to Waiheke Island. On Waiheke, I did a full-on bus tour, taking in the entire island – vineyards, waterfalls, the lot.
I also visited a geothermal mud spa called Hell’s Gate where I had mud and sulphur baths, did traditional Maori wood carving and saw geysers. Both experiences have established lasting impressions of a dazzling place, with friendly people and delicious food. I’m delighted to be going back.
What are your hopes and expectations for the year ahead? And, how does this fit into your overall life goals?
I’m hoping to gain yet more great experiences by moving to a new country, taking on a new role, embracing a new culture and adopting a new way of life in a completely different part of the world. New Zealand is very close to the antipole of Manchester. It’s literally the furthest away you can go on a plane. I’m so ready for this next phase.
I’ve spent huge sums of money on the trip after months of hotels, travelling, activities, eating and shopping. My original house-buying deposit fund is pretty small right now but it’s been worth clearing out my bank for. It’s by far the best thing I’ve ever done and probably ever will do. It was like living a dream and I couldn’t have spent it with a better person – my girlfriend, Alex.
What do you envisage being your biggest challenges over the coming weeks and months as you move across to the other side of the world?
I actually think New Zealand will set my career off with a bang. It’s the most monumental entry on my CV to date. I see the coming year as being tricky but I’m relieved to have a fantastic team behind me, albeit with a substantial time difference. There may be occasions when I feel alone but I won’t be isolated or unsupported as part of the Jayva-LEAP ecosystem.
I didn’t previously aspire to becoming an Implementation Consultant, however, since my sabbatical, that’s been my goal. I’m more of a people person who’s comfortable speaking to clients day in, day out. It’s the perfect role for me.
The biggest challenge is moving away from everything that’s familiar to me with only two suitcases and a rucksack. I’m leaving the majority of my possessions and the people I hold close for 12 months or longer. That’s going to be the hardest thing – leaving.
My ethos is I’ve had my fun and now it’s time to put in some hard work. You could say it’s short-term pain for long-term gain. I’ll be separated from my girlfriend, family, friends and colleagues with an 11-hour time difference thrown in. When the UK goes to bed, New Zealand wakes up. Staying in touch won’t be easy but I’m determined to succeed. Roll on 11th July when I set off. I may be making sacrifices for Jayva but it’s skyrocketing my future opportunities. Bring it on.
And, whether my future lies in New Zealand or the UK longer term, Alex will be with me throughout.
Our Global CEO Nicola Moore-Miller makes a concluding statement about Beck’s assignment in New Zealand…
At Jayva, we’re thrilled to continue our exciting global journey as we extend our reach into New Zealand. We’re proudly partnering with LEAP Legal Software to deliver implementation consultancy and training services to law firms in New Zealand.
It’s wonderful having Beck back following his sabbatical. He’s a central part of our dynamic team readying itself behind the scenes remotely as our New Zealand plans really gather pace. Having been to Australia and New Zealand myself in April, I’m looking ahead to collaborating with forward-thinking law firms transitioning to LEAP, and I know that Beck will do a superb job working with our partners and clients out there. I’ve spent time with Beck this week in our Manchester office, it’s evident just how invigorating and lifechanging his trip was. He’s come back with a new lease of life and is raring to go! I’m eager and enthusiastic about stepping into this next phase with Beck.
On a personal note, I’m so happy for Beck, and his progression within Jayva proves the rule to hire for attitude and train for skills.
