There’s a certain lightness about Nicole Baker, the kind of presence that makes a room feel more alive. She carries a natural energy, part sunshine, part determination, someone who has learnt how to balance ambition with grace. “My family and children are my daily driver,” she says, eyes gleaming. “They’re the reason I wake up and make the most of every single day.”
Alongside, she finds power in reclaiming her own sense of self. “It just allows me 45 minutes of exercise every other day to have to myself, which is really important.” Behind that serene poise lies a woman of quiet courage, who has built her career through compassion, and an unwavering belief that opportunities are often disguised as challenges.
Nicole never followed the traditional university path. “I’m self-taught,” she explains. “I always knew I wanted to help people. I nearly went down the occupational therapy route – I loved working with children and supporting others, but life had other plans.”
Her early career began in administration that bloomed her curiosity for people, communication, and creativity. A moment of change came at Blue Arrow, when an inspiring manager saw something special in her. “She just gave me an opportunity, bless her,” Nicole recalls fondly. “She pushed me to explore a new avenue – marketing and communications, that changed everything.”
With an instinct for people and storytelling, she began carving a path that would soon define her purpose. When Nicole joined Carlisle nearly a decade ago, the business’s marketing efforts were still finding its feet. “My role as the dedicated Marketing Manager for Carlisle marked the company’s initial investment in elevating its brand, strengthening communications, and establishing a presence within the facilities market.”
Armed with vision, persistence, and creativity, she has supported to shape the company’s story inside out. “If we make the investment in people and their roles, the return speaks for itself.” Nicole helped build the strategy, grow the team, and weave marketing into the organisation’s DNA. A department that started as a small team focused on marketing and bid management has now expanded into a successful support function, known for their expertise, measurable achievements, and genuine enthusiasm for their work.
Among the defining moments in her journey was a talk at Carlisle’s Innovation Lab. Listening to Kat Thorn from The Morning Game Changer, Nicole found herself quietly transformed. “Something just clicked,” she smiles. “Her words about balance, positive habits, burnout, and rebuilding yourself has stayed with me ever since.”
Her leadership style mirrors her values of empathy, collaboration, and trust. “I rely on my team’s expertise, recognising that everyone brings unique value beyond my own knowledge,” she says. It’s her approach that turns strategy meetings into conversations and goals into shared victories.
“Success for me isn’t just about wins,” Nicole adds. “It’s about building relationships and getting the best out of everybody.”
Her leadership is also about composure, “Inside, I’m probably flapping,” she admits with a laugh, “but I try not to let stress ripple through the team.”
“Paul has been a huge part of my journey,” Nicole reflects. “He gave me the chance to return to work under his wing, trusted me through two maternity breaks and continually believed in my potential – that kind of leadership leaves a mark.”
But beneath it all runs a simple, guiding principle: “Work to live, not live to work.” It’s a mantra she extends to her team and her advice to others carries the same sincerity, “It’s okay not to go to university. If you put your heart and soul into something, it will be noticed. Sometimes it takes time, but commitment and the right values are always recognised.”
Outside of work, Nicole radiates with the same enthusiasm. Her weekends are full of early morning gym sessions, children’s activities, and family time, music, and food. She’s an adventurer at heart, still fuelled by the wanderlust from her twenties. “I went travelling for four months – Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and it was epic,” she recalls.
And yes! She once jumped out of a plane. “Terrifying but exhilarating,” she grins. “Nothing beats that feeling!”
Music serves as her creative outlet. “I listen to all kinds of music and never miss an opportunity to attend live concerts. The Oasis reunion show and Glastonbury Festival have been two standout moments, aside from personal milestones, in my first forty’ish years on this planet.”
If her life were a book, Nicole says it would be called “Halfway Through Life.” “It sounds a bit deep,” she laughs, “but it’s really about gratitude; realising that I’m nearly halfway through and there’s still so much more to learn, live and love.”
Nicole Baker’s story teaches us balance and brilliance and gives a clear reminder that success doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it glows softly, listens sharply and inspire quietly. She’s proof that leadership can be strong and soft in equal measure and between that balance – Nicole shines.
The UK’s security landscape is navigating its most significant transformation in a generation. As the boundaries of traditional policing are stretched by the complexities of
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Jason Gray as our new Technical Solutions Director. This strategic hire reinforces our commitment to integrating technology
As a supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant, Carlisle Support Services recognises the strong link between military experience and security careers. Veterans bring discipline, resilience,
Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape to deliver seamless event experiences.
Managing trees and vegetation for the UK’s public infrastructure and commercial spaces.
Delivering aesthetically pleasing environments whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.
Provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.
Providing bespoke services that identify site specific vulnerabilities and address complex challenges to mitigate risks.
Maintaining high facility standards and minimising service disruptions across the UK rail network.
Delivering exceptionally clean environments at optimal cost and positive environmental footprint with unrivalled quality control across nationwide operations.
Delivering seamless passenger experiences whilst protecting revenue and achieving operational excellence.
Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape.
Deploying balanced crowd management strategies for optimal safety and seamless visitor experiences.
Delivering seamless visitor experiences across the UK’s biggest venues, stadiums and exhibition centres.
Transforming customer journeys with innovative car parking solutions that maximise operational control and revenue.
Enhancing and maintaining site aesthetics for optimal nature, commercial infrastructure, and community harmony. We aim to deliver beautiful scenery whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.
We streamline cleaning and facilities services that help organisations maintain exceptional standards across single and multi-site operations.
We offer a total turnkey solution from initial design and product selection through to installation and commissioning. Our customers benefit from benefit from around-the-clock protection for optimal peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted alarm monitoring service.
Our range of fire life safety solutions are designed to prevent, detect and contain fire and where necessary enable a safe and timely escape.
From the initial Fire Risk Assessment through to the design and installation of fire detection and fire suppression systems and ongoing maintenance and monitoring contracts, we provide you with a one stop fire protection solution.
From security-cleared operations with MOD-affiliated organisations to supporting the UK’s rail infrastructure and securing the Highest Court of the British Isles alongside countless major venues across the UK, we provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.
Fulfilling the most complex single and multi-site cleaning requirements at an award-winning standard for over 30 years.
Providing an extensive range of Soft and Hard FM services to help you streamline management and eliminate operational disruptions.
Undertaking routine cleaning to maintain the highest standards in cleanliness and hygiene for exceptional environments.
