Claire Hodgkinson is stepping into the role of Audit Quality Director with a mission to raise the bar through innovation, technology, and smarter working practices. Driven by her passion for quality and impactful training, she’s shaping the future of audit and empowering teams to deliver their best. Read on to hear more about Claire’s exciting new role and the ways she’s driving innovation at BHP.
Could you tell us a bit about your role and what you’re currently working on?
Right now, I’m in an exciting phase transitioning from my role as a Senior Manager in Audit to Audit Quality Director. As a Senior Manager, I’ve been responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of clients, building strong relationships, and delivering high-quality audits that add real value. It’s a role that’s kept me on my toes and given me a great understanding of the challenges and opportunities our clients face.
Alongside that, I’ve always had a strong focus on audit quality, whether that’s through coaching teams, refining processes, or contributing to training and methodology. That passion is what’s driving me into this next chapter. In my new role, I’m focusing on how we can continue to raise the bar using data, technology, and smarter ways of working to support our teams to deliver consistent, high-quality audits.
It’s a great opportunity to build on what I’ve learned so far and help shape the future of audit at BHP, and I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead.
What does innovation mean to you in your role?
For me, innovation is all about challenging the way things have always been done, especially when it comes to audit quality, efficiency, and relevance. It means asking questions like, ‘How can we do this differently?’ (something my clients have definitely heard me say more than once!). It’s about using technology, data, and evolving methodologies to deliver stronger assurance and better outcomes.
Innovation also means creating a culture where curiosity and continuous improvement are encouraged, where teams feel confident to think critically, embrace change, and spot risks and opportunities early. As I step into the role of Audit Quality Director, innovation becomes even more central. It’s not just about doing things differently; it’s about doing them consistently and well to maintain and build trust and confidence in the audit process.
And if you know me, you’ll know how passionate I am about audit quality and making training meaningful. I believe innovation also means finding fresh, flexible ways to deliver training and guidance so everyone can learn and apply it in a way that works best for them.
Have there been any moments where you’ve felt especially proud of the impact you’ve made?
One of the moments I’ve felt especially proud was when I developed and implemented a comprehensive audit training programme for our new starters. Recognising the need for a more engaging and practical approach, I designed a case study-based training programme that combined technical knowledge with real-world audit scenarios. This not only helped new joiners build confidence in applying their learning but also helped them start to grasp key audit principles from day one. To ensure continued development, I introduced quarterly audit training updates tailored to that cohort, keeping them aligned with evolving standards and best practices and updating their training as their experience built on the job. Seeing the positive feedback and the tangible improvement in audit quality and team capability has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a great reminder of the lasting impact that thoughtful training and development can have.
What advice would you give to other women looking to lead or drive change?
My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself. Leadership doesn’t come from fitting into a mould; it comes from being authentic, knowing your strengths, and staying true to your values. Confidence is key, but always be open to learning as you go. Some of the best growth comes from listening to others, asking questions, and being open to new perspectives.
And of course, work hard. Put in the effort, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to step up and take on challenges. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence and passion, you can absolutely make a difference.
Lastly, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have some inspirational women around me – Lisa Leighton, Nicola O’Sullivan, and Terri Pierpoint, to name a few, have been there since my very first day at BHP back in 2009. Each of them has taught me something different and offered support in their own way. They pave the way for working women to lead with confidence and empower those around them, and I’m grateful to have had them as role models throughout my journey.
What does being part of a Great Place to Work mean to you?
Being part of a Great Place to Work means a lot to me, especially as a working mum to two boys. Life is busy, so prioritising wellbeing is essential to help us thrive both at home and at work. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible support from my colleagues and the flexibility to find a work-life balance that works for me. That balance has allowed me to perform at my best when I’m at work.
I’ve also had the chance to grow in areas I’m truly passionate about, such as audit quality and training. Being trusted to contribute to our audit strategy and help shape how we train and support our teams in providing the best service to our clients has been a real turning point in my career. From early on, audit quality has been a core passion of mine, and BHP has helped nurture that. Now, stepping into the role of Audit Quality Director, I’m excited to continue that journey and make an even bigger impact.
To me, being part of a Great Place to Work means being supported, empowered, and given the space to grow, and that’s exactly what I’ve experienced here.
