Lisa started her career in banking call centres and was leading teams by the age of 23. Here, she quickly learned that everyone responds differently to leadership and how the importance of finding that personal connection is really what makes all the difference.
In 2000, Lisa moved into packaging, transferring her client service experience but learning packaging from scratch. This promptly led her to Canada, running a $40 million flexo operation in Toronto and later managing a 45-person customer services team (2006-2009), looking after major clients like Britvic.
Lisa has been a valuable part of Sun for 15 years now, leading a UK team of 12 and collaborating with Jessy, who is based in the US. Together they look after our Aldi UK, Aldi Sud and Aldi US clients, managing creative to artwork across 4000 products annually.
One achievement I’m particularly proud of is our photography service growth – from 850 shots in 2024 to a forecasted 2,200 in 2025! But truthfully, the numbers mean less to me than the people behind them.
Working with retail clients means working in a demanding, fast-paced environment. Lisa consequently developed comprehensive training programs like our Client Services Training Academy and specialised modules which cover everything from influencing skills to emotional intelligence. These tools are designed to help the team realise their potential and shine.
Lisa prides herself on creating safe learning environments, one of her ideas is to create real-life client scenarios and through role-play practise, that helps her team members develop and be confident facing into any situation. She ensures she makes time for monthly one-on-one catchups as she feels these can lead to moments that matter the most.
In recent years, Lisa has seen remarkable success within her team. Elise, who joined as a quiet 18-year-old Graphics Apprentice, has evolved into a confident Account Manager now leading six Aldi Brand Managers. In the US, Jessy has completed four comprehensive audits and art-directed seven photo shoots since January alone. Meanwhile, Vicki made a bold career move after 18 years as our MD’s PA – she’s now thriving as a Photography Coordinator, streamlining processes across both the US and UK markets.
Nothing brings me more pleasure than seeing someone realise just how capable they truly are.
Each year, Lisa meets individually with every team member and asks a simple but powerful question: “What does this year look like for you?” These conversations lead to the creation of meaningful personal development plans. For example, Steve, who’s been with Sun Branding for 30 years, wants to explore new areas of the business, while others are focused on working toward promotions. Lisa ensures each pathway aligns with their individual ambitions.
One of Lisa’s proudest mentoring moments has been with Gillian. When she met her in 2014, Gillian was a Project Manager with “untapped potential”. Today, she’s thriving as a Senior Consultant in our sister sustainable consulting business Aura, after successfully running a nine-person team in France (and becoming a fluent French speaker along the way!), Lisa believes finding what motivates each individual is key.
Lisa makes celebrations matter too! Whether it’s remembering birthdays, delivering chocolate eggs at Easter, or acknowledging jobs well done, these small gestures help everyone feel valued.
As mother to an autistic daughter and wife to a husband with ADHD, Lisa understands firsthand the importance of creating spaces where neurodivergent individuals thrive. These aren’t distant concepts – they’re lived experiences which drives her commitment to embracing differences in the workplace.
Mental wellbeing is a cause close to her heart. As a qualified Mental Health First Aider for Sun for three years and having supported her son through severe mental health challenges, she knows how crucial early intervention can be. She keeps a close eye on her team, believing that pre-crisis point intervention is key.
Lisa emphasises the need for everyone to feel heard, valued, and supported – not just as professionals, but as people with unique needs and dreams. When people know you genuinely care about them, that’s when true talent can flourish.
Lisa’s passion for supporting women comes straight from the heart. She champions female talent and promotes Sun as a place where women excel. Her commitment extends beyond work as she leads her local Women’s Institute which gives her another way to empower women in her local community.
“Thanks to Lisa’s mentorship, I’ve grown from Artwork Project Manager to leading a team and now working as a Senior Consultant. In 2014, Lisa spotted potential from our first interview. She invested in my development, creating opportunities to develop leadership skills and trusting me with a nine-person team in France. What makes Lisa special is how she understood what motivated me. Taking time to unpick what makes me tick, pushing me just enough outside my comfort zone. She truly cares about her teams, her guidance completely transformed my career path, I’m forever grateful.”
“After 18 years as a PA, the thought of moving to Photography Coordinator was exciting, Lisa didn’t train me – she championed me. Guiding me through processes and technical aspects of photography new to me. Thanks to her mentorship, I’ve built robust processes that serve US and UK markets, handling an increase from 850 to 2,200 shots annually. Lisa makes everything feel doable, even when you’re convinced it isn’t – creating an environment where trying new things feels safe and supported. Lisa builds confidence from the ground up, saying “you’ve got this, Vicki”- because she believes it, I’ve started believing it too.”
“I started as Graphics Apprentice, I never imagined I’d be managing key accounts like Aldi within such a short timeframe. Lisa saw potential in me, and her mentoring approach transformed me from a quiet trainee to a confident account manager. Through real-life scenario training and guidance, Lisa didn’t just teach client management skills – she helped give me a platform to share my voice and opinions. She identified my strengths and built upon them, giving me safe spaces to develop in less confident areas. Lisa’s belief in me is life-changing, proving that with the right mentor, you can achieve anything.”
Lisa has been shortlisted to the FINAL for the Women in Packaging Excellence Awards 2025 in TWO categories:
Lisa’s journey reminds us that great leadership is about lifting others up and investing in potential. At Sun, we’re proud to have leaders like Lisa shaping the future. Get in touch if you’d like to know how Lisa Skinner and her team can help grow your brand.