Beck Roberts: A full circle moment – and more
If you’ve been following Beck Roberts’ journey at Jayva, you’ll know it’s already been an eventful one.
In our earlier blogs – Beck Roberts takes a six-month sabbatical, Interview with Beck Roberts and Beck’s New Zealand beginnings – we shared how Beck joined Jayva straight from college, grew through the ranks in the UK and then took a leap of faith that saw him move to New Zealand to help establish Jayva’s presence there.
Now, two years on, Beck is back in the UK again. But this isn’t a simple return to where he started. It’s a full circle moment shaped by travel, responsibility, personal growth and a clearer sense of purpose – one that will see him evolve into a new role in 2026.
We caught up with Beck to reflect on that journey, what New Zealand gave him and what’s next.
Beck, remind us where you are now – and what’s changing in 2026?
Back in the UK, I’ve realised my spark comes from working extensively in a client-facing consultative role rather than the admin-heavy tasks necessitated by project management and pipeline oversight, which is what I was doing previously. So, my job is evolving into one that’s clearly focused on client engagement and working with law firms closely to get the fullest value from their software investment.
It’s a shift that feels very natural. I’ll still be deeply involved in implementations, but with more emphasis on delivery, client relationships, problem-solving and supporting people through change, rather than purely overseeing and managing project timescales and planning.
Let’s rewind. How did your Jayva journey begin?
I joined Jayva full time in November 2019, straight from college after my A Levels. Before that, I’d already been working with Jayva part time alongside my studies.
At that stage, I was very career oriented and eager to learn. Jayva gave me that opportunity early on, trusting me with responsibility and helping me build confidence quickly.
The New Zealand move is a big part of your story. How did that come about?
In 2023, I took a six-month sabbatical from Jayva to travel with my fiancée, Alexandra Smail. We went through the UAE, Australasia and Southeast Asia. While I was in Melbourne, I got a message from our CEO, Nicola Moore-Miller, asking if I’d consider moving to New Zealand temporarily to help set up a new office.
It was a huge decision – literally the other side of the world – but also an incredible opportunity. I knew straight away that I wanted to say yes, even though I took time to think it through properly. It’s a decision I’ve never regretted.
What were those early months in New Zealand like?
For the first five months, I was supported remotely by people across Jayva, including Kim Roberts, Susan Rodgers and Will Penrice, while we established the office. After that, I was effectively on my own until we started recruiting locally.
Those first months were about absorbing everything. I was learning the culture, the legal system and how things worked in New Zealand. I describe it as being like a sponge – taking everything in so that when I went solo, I was ready.
How did things change once Alexandra joined you?
After I’d been living on my own for a while, Alexandra came out to New Zealand while she completed her degree with Arden University. That meant lots of late nights and early mornings for her with tutors.
Since then, she’s joined Jayva herself as Global Business Systems Manager, which makes Jayva even more embedded in our lives. With my mum also working at Jayva, it really does feel like a family in more ways than one.
You’ve said you came back to the UK a very different person. What changed?
When I went to New Zealand, I was primarily focused on delivering training and supporting implementations. While I was doing that, I was also learning a lot about myself.
During my time there, I discovered meditation and mindfulness, and that’s changed how I approach both work and life. Coming back to the UK, buying a house with Alexandra and thinking more intentionally about the future made me reassess the type of role I want to have.
I’m moving into a more consultative position where I can really stand behind clients – especially those who are struggling with change. Taking that pressure off someone else doesn’t weigh me down. I’ve developed the resilience and perspective to support people fully and thoroughly.
What part of the work do you enjoy most now?
It’s very much the people side of my job I love the most. Client relationships, understanding how people learn and adapting my approach to suit them.
Every person is different. Before and during training sessions, I try to understand how someone communicates and prefers to learn. Do they want to try it themselves? Take notes? Be guided through it? Even asking those questions breaks the ice and instils trust which is the best way to make progress in what I do.
How did the responsibility of New Zealand shape you?
I was the face of Jayva in New Zealand for a while and that level of trust meant a lot to me. I felt driven to prove I was capable of carrying that responsibility.
Looking back now, it’s almost night and day compared to my first day at Jayva. The journey was physical and metaphorical – outwardly travelling and inwardly changing. I’m far more invested now, both in Jayva and in the law firms I work with.
What does Jayva feel like to you now, having worked in the UK, New Zealand and back again?
It genuinely feels like being part of a big family, even though that family spans regions and time zones. The New Zealand team will always have a special place in my heart as I helped build it carefully, over time, with a real focus on appointing the right people. Piet Bourke was the very first recruit, and not a stranger to me as we’d crossed paths before he formally joined Jayva. From there, the team grew steadily with people like Chad Ripepi, Olivia Amber, Olivia Johnson and Sarah Martin-Lewis, all brought together under Aneta Kasprzak’s leadership. Each appointment was made with intent, ensuring personalities, values and ethos truly aligned with Jayva’s.
I miss them all so much and I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished in New Zealand.
Being back in the UK is special too. Things have changed – new faces, evolving roles, different work – but it’s great to reconnect and contribute in a new way.
Finally, what does this “full circle” moment mean to you?
It’s more than full circle. I’ve become a new version of myself.
New Zealand gave me confidence, perspective and a deeper understanding of people. In 2026, I’ll be putting those skills and passions into action for the benefit of our global clients.
I’m grateful for the journey, the trust Jayva placed in me, and the people and experiences that shaped who I am now. And in many ways, it feels like this is just the beginning of the next chapter.