As part of our Women in Splash Projects series celebrating International Women’s Day, we spoke with Rachel Poole, Business Director and Co-Founder of Splash Projects, about building a business, adapting as a leader and the lessons learned over 25 years.
Rachel founded the business 25 years ago as Splash Editorial. What began as a communications company gradually evolved into an organisation delivering community projects around the world that develop teams while creating meaningful impact.
The turning point came when her husband Simon Poole (CEO) was preparing to leave the Army.
Simon had served in the Royal Engineers, whose role includes rebuilding infrastructure after conflict. Like many in the corps, he had both practical trade skills and strong project management experience.
“Simon is also a good teacher, resourceful and has a real heart for helping people,” Rachel explains.
After meeting and working with inspiring businessman Andy Barton, who believed that people learn best through doing, Splash started running community projects by developing the military command tasks based on real experiences that Simon helped develop at the Defence Diving School.
“It took a good four or five years to convince companies that community projects not only produce amazing results for charities but for their employees too,” Rachel says.
“It was a challenging period because the concept was new and we were selling it to clients we had never worked with before.
“But we had some great supporters including Loic Sadoulet and Jens Myer at the French business schools INSEAD and CEDEP, Andrew De Groot at RBS and later Vik Hill at Santander, who really got it and found us opportunities to put it into practice, with our first projects in Japan, France and China.”
Despite the shift in direction, Rachel says the transition from PR to community projects felt more natural than she expected.
“I loved the PR and editorial side of the business, which was more in my comfort zone, and the people I worked with were amazing – both the Splash team, our clients and suppliers,” she says.
“It was exciting, challenging and fun but thankfully the skills for running one type of company can be adapted easily to another.”
Today Splash’s culture reflects the wide range of experiences within the team.
“We have a fabulous team that not only inspire our clients and charities but Simon and I too,” Rachel says.
“They are a wonderful mix of ex-Forces who love to overcome the most seemingly impossible challenges, and civilians whose vast experience and skills help them make it happen. They are fearless, resourceful, great fun and every single one of them has a huge heart for helping people.”
Rachel also believes the women around the business play a vital role in shaping its culture.
“The women on our team – whether they are leading from the front on projects or making it happen behind the scenes – are amazing and I think what I like best about them is the humility they bring,” she says.
“They are loyal, great multi-taskers, considerate, kind and conscientious.”
Rachel adds that the contribution of women extends beyond those working directly in the company.
“I believe that women are the bedrock of Splash – not only those who work directly for the business but the partners of the men who make up the team. They also have a huge heart for what we do and often join the projects too. They also keep life going at home while the men are on project.”
Leading a company for more than two decades inevitably brings new challenges and responsibilities and changes you as a person.
“I think the skills I had before have just been finely tuned,” Rachel reflects.
“Of course I’ve had to learn a whole load of new things from legal, financial and HR to being completely out of my comfort zone on project, as I’m not the most practical person.”
She also admits that her perspective on risk has changed over time.
“I thought I was a risk taker but Simon has shown me a whole new level – agreeing to do projects in places some companies wouldn’t go to and at very short notice, which just increases the logistical challenges. My faith has also grown exponentially as a result.”
A new chapter for the business began when Rachel and Simon’s daughter Meg joined the company.
“Simon and I were both hesitant about being Meg’s boss as well as her parents,” Rachel says. “But we knew she had the skills, energy and enthusiasm not only to fill a gap in the business but to help motivate us.”
After 25 years, Rachel says the next generation’s enthusiasm has brought renewed momentum.
“Twenty-five years is a long time and naturally you begin to feel a bit jaded, but Meg’s and our son Josh’s passion for Splash, the team and what we do has really galvanised us.”
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Rachel’s advice to women stepping into leadership or entrepreneurship is characteristically straightforward.
“Don’t just think about it, do it,” she says.
“Grab every opportunity, lay aside your fears and never be worried about making a mistake as you’ll just do it better next time – I wish I had learnt that earlier.”
She also believes the people you surround yourself with matter enormously.
“Find great people who are loyal, share the same heart for what you do, have the skills and experiences you lack and are fabulous fun to work with.”
And when things become difficult?
“Never be afraid of tough times. Embrace them because it’s during those moments you grow the most. Like metal, we are refined by fire.”
