Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Not everyone starts their working life at Hansard. But a lot of us have stuck with it once we’re in! People come to Hansard from different places and at different times in their lives. We bring a variety of experiences and some quite niche skills to our work together on publishing what is said in the House of Commons.
The fact that we develop lengthy careers here both strengthens our team and makes it a place people want to stay. Let’s hear, then, from four colleagues who joined Hansard at various points over the past three decades – from four Hansard generations, you could say – and made themselves at home.
Richard, Committee Sub-Editor
Originally from Harrogate, sub-editor Richard joined Hansard in November 1993. Before that he’d spent a couple of years teaching in what were then East and West Germany, and another two years working on an MPhil in German literature at the University of Birmingham. Richard moved to London to do a PGCE in modern languages but came across an advert for a job with Hansard.
What interested me then, and what still interests me today, was the chance to work with languages. At some point during my time at Hansard, I completed a diploma in translating, and it struck me then how similar the reporter’s job of marrying up the spoken and written word is to that of a translator. Both are endlessly challenging and thought provoking, and both, for that reason, are also immensely rewarding.
Since the day I arrived, I have been amazed by how colleagues in Hansard have always looked out for one another. In some ways, that’s no mystery: collaboration is an essential part of our work, and every report is very much a team effort. But, more than that, Hansard just seems to be a place that attracts genuinely thoughtful, caring people.
Tom, Managing Editor
Tom came to Hansard in February 2007 after a short stint teaching in St Albans. As a managing editor in the House section, he regularly takes charge of the House operation, including publishing the Official Report directly to the Hansard website throughout the day.
As an organisation, Hansard is very good at making use of people’s existing knowledge and skills. Anything can come up in a debate, so we know who speaks what languages, what people have studied and who to ask about the latest reality TV series. In my case, I’ve been able to make use of my teaching experience throughout my career to develop training for colleagues and to lead the postgraduate diploma course for new starters, which shapes the next generation of Hansard reporters.
I now sit opposite a friend I met on the first day of the recruitment process 18 years ago. Why have I stayed? I get paid to do something I enjoy, I like the people, and nothing beats being in the Chamber or a Committee – the room where it happens – and witnessing events unfold.
Elizabeth, House Reporter
Before Elizabeth joined Hansard in April 2017, she studied translation and interpreting at university. She moved to Madrid straight after finishing her exams and spent a few years working in the translation team at an international law firm, before heading to Bordeaux to freelance and work on her French. Having returned to England a few years later, Elizabeth heard about a Hansard vacancy and thought she’d give it a go for six months.
I joined on the day that Theresa May called the snap general election. I had no idea what was going on. In the past eight years, Hansard has offered a window to so many historic events I’ve lost count. Reporting Parliament is a lot like translation, but without the foreign language bit. But I am still a language technician, and I am still drawing on things that I learned in my master's. I learn something new every day, and that will be the case for as long as I work here.
Ciarán, Parliamentary Reporter
Ciarán started the Hansard training course in March 2022. Before then, he worked in the economic policy team at Leeds City Council.
As a parliamentary reporter, I work on legislative Committees and Select Committees, as well as debates in Westminster Hall. I also ‘log’ Westminster Hall debates, which means that I sit in on debates and make a note of what is happening so that other reporters can understand the broader context of the debate.
What I like about Hansard is the variety in the workload. You might think that doing the same thing – turns – all day would get boring, but every speaker and every speech is different, and trying to capture that is an important part of the role. I also like the sense of purpose the job provides. Every day, I produce work that goes on to be published.
And there is a strong sense of camaraderie at Hansard – I know that if I have a difficult turn all my colleagues will help me with it.