Liz Blog - Reaching a Career Crossroads

Redefining purpose

In June 2019, Marcus Barnett came on a Windsor Leadership programme while serving as the Police Commander for Hackney and Tower Hamlets. He continued in this high-impact role until June 2023, marking 30 years of service in the police force. At that point, in his early 50s and eligible for retirement, Marcus faced a significant crossroads: stepping away from the identity and structure that had defined much of his adult life.

The decision to leave wasn’t taken lightly. “I felt institutionalised,” Marcus reflects. “My identity and sense of self were deeply tied to the job.” Throughout his career, he had a clear purpose - contributing to society, upholding the law, protecting the public. Walking away meant more than handing in his badge; it meant redefining who he was and what he stood for.

With no firm plans in place, Marcus chose to decompress, taking valuable time out with his family to recalibrate. “Jumping straight into something else wouldn’t have been fair on them - or on me,” he says. 

Personal principles 

He began exploring the corporate space, weighing his transferable skills against a world where values can sometimes take a back seat to profit. “I knew I didn’t want to lose who I was as a public servant,” he says. “I had to reinvent myself without compromising my integrity.”

That reinvention led him to FUSUS, a company that appreciated his authenticity and depth of experience. As General Manager, Marcus stayed true to his principles. When FUSUS was acquired by Axon in 2025 he took the leap again - this time founding his own business consultancy. He now balances paid consultancy work with pro bono roles, including serving on the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Board.

He emphasizes the importance of thoughtful transition: “Don’t rush into the first thing. Don’t undersell yourself.” Initially plagued by imposter syndrome in the private sector, Marcus leaned on conversations with retired colleagues, updated his CV, and joined LinkedIn. His heart, he knew, was still in safety and public service.

One moment stands out: handing back his warrant card. “It was incredibly emotional,” he recalls. “A symbol of everything I’d been - and was now letting go of.”

New found opportunities

While relatively few of us have the opportunity to retire early, shifting sectors is not uncommon amongst Windsor Leadership alumni. In fact, the Windsor experience can sometimes prompt participants to consider such a transition - particularly for those in roles where an early pension makes a significant career change feel more achievable. 

Often the mortgage is paid off and any children have left home, or are at least no longer needing such significant support. In fact, the onus often shifts to supporting elderly relatives, and the opportunity to work in a different, perhaps less demanding role may be very appealing.

Windsor Leadership’s Leadership Development Director, Dr Ed Newell, spent a decade in higher education, before spending another two decades in full-time church ministry and then moving into the charity sector. Reflecting on his two major career transitions, three things stand out.

Giving it heart and soul

‘Firstly, if your heart and soul aren’t in your work, leading effectively becomes a challenge. As an academic, I loved research and teaching, but I came to realise that my values meant it was my involvement in the church that truly motivated me. A similar sense of vocation led me into the third sector, which I now combine with a part-time priestly ministry - a balance that feels right to me.’

Seeing life through different lenses

Secondly, Ed also reflects on how transitioning into new roles made him realize how much his sense of identity had been intertwined with his previous positions - and how others continued to view him through those old lenses. ‘Each career move brought a real sense of loss, but also the necessity of embracing a new leadership identity and expressing it authentically and enthusiastically to be effective as a leader.’

Culture Shift

Finally Ed recognises that stepping into a new sector is not just about a career change; it often involves a cultural shift. While all transitions require adaptation, sector shifts can amplify the challenge. When newly appointed to a leadership role, it can be tempting to stamp your authority by reshaping an organisation’s culture to align with your own values and identity. ‘However, I’ve learned - both from personal experience and from observing colleagues - the value of first absorbing the existing culture, and only then challenging aspects that truly need reform.’

So in summary

Moving sectors can be immensely rewarding - not just for leaders, but also for organisations that benefit from the transferable skills and insights leaders bring from their experiences elsewhere. For anyone considering such a transition, it’s worth thinking carefully about the sectors or organisations where your values most closely align; prepare yourselves for a shift in how you are perceived and perceive yourself; take time to understand the culture you are entering - and embrace the change with energy and enthusiasm.

Points to reflect on:

1. What defines you and your purpose in life?
2. How might you explore options for greater fulfilment and purposefully plan for your future?
3. How radical a shift do you want to make?

We’d love to hear from you if you have made or are considering making a career gear change.  Do get in touch with Alumni Relations Manager Liz Ward.