Getting to know... Hilary Stephenson

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Hilary Stephenson, managing director of Macclesfield-based human-centred research, design and development agency Nexer Digital, talks about her commitment to helping marginalised and underserved groups, the vital importance of inclusion and how she finds a relaxing rhythm as a member of a samba drumming band.

We know you as the managing director of Nexer Digital, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

I’m motivated by finding and delivering work that has a meaningful impact.

My particular focus is on researching and designing better health and care products and services, especially for people whose needs are too often overlooked.

I also love seeing the Nexer Digital team pull together around a complex challenge and use their different skills and perspectives to improve something.

Did you always want to work in human-centred design?

I began my career in writing, but it was always focused on helping people access useful, task-based information; user-centred design felt like a natural move.

Over the years, we’ve developed a more specialist focus on designing for marginalised and underserved groups.

That work feels especially purposeful because it involves understanding people’s real experiences and making products and services work better for them.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part is talking to people about how we can understand and tackle a problem or contribute to improving something that matters.

The worst part is the reporting and governance involved in running a business, along with the financial responsibility.

It can sometimes pull the focus towards immediate results, rather than indirect or longer-term impact. Spreadsheets, basically!

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Ensuring that inclusion remains central to everything we do, from the sectors and clients we work with to how we research, design and build products and services.

It also shapes how we operate internally, including our policies and working practices.

Inclusion shouldn’t be an add-on; it should influence every decision.

How do you relax outside of work?

I swim, spend time with my children and play in a samba drumming band, which is a brilliant way to switch off.

What makes Macclesfield such a great place to live and work?

I’m originally from Cumbria, so I love that Macclesfield is close to hills, water and green spaces, while still being well connected and relatively affordable.

It has a quirky arts and culture scene, and an impressive amount of digital and creative talent for a smaller town.

It also has its own identity and feels very different from working in a city.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

I used to drive an ice cream van, and I’d happily do it again!

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