Paula Curness: Meet the Showcase Commercial Leadership Team

Over our past few posts, we’ve been shining a light on the people leading the charge behind Showcase’s new Commercial Leadership Team. We’ve heard from Will Pearce, Lina Olsson, and Peter Yarnold, and now we’re sitting down with Paula Curness, our new Head of Key Accounts.

This year, Paula celebrates her 29th year in the industry – with 11 of those spent right here at Showcase. She’s someone our clients know well, trust implicitly, and look to for guidance through every stage of a project. As one of the longest-serving members of the business, Paula’s stepping into her new role with the same warmth and energy she’s always brought. Only now, she’s also leading a growing team of account managers and supporting the wider Commercial Leadership group.

Paula, tell us a little bit about your new role!

It’s a really varied role! As Head of Key Accounts, I’m now responsible for leading the team and making sure everyone feels supported, that we’re hitting our goals, and reporting back to Estelle [Lee] and the wider SLT on how we’re doing.

I’m still very hands-on though. I wouldn’t give up my clients for the world. I’m proud to still be involved with their projects. So I’m splitting my time between leading the team and staying involved in the accounts I’ve nurtured for so long.

The Key Accounts team is all about continuity. We’re there from early on in the project, and we stay through to installation and beyond. That familiarity really matters to our clients. Will [Pearce’s] team might win the job, but I take over for install and Day 2, making sure everything runs smoothly.

What’s got you most excited as you step into this new role?

For me, it’s always been about the people. I love working with my clients, and I’m really excited to support my team in a bigger way now. Helping them grow, giving them space to succeed, and watching them gain confidence in themselves — that’s what drives me.

I’m so proud to be part of this Commercial Leadership Team. We’ve all worked together for so long that we’re more than colleagues. We’re friends, and we’ve always had each other’s backs. That’s what makes this team so strong. We know each other, we trust each other, and that bond makes everything we do more meaningful.

How do you see your role supporting Showcase’s growth and our clients’ evolving needs?

It’s all about being present for the team, the clients, and the leadership group. I need to be active in helping us grow in the right direction.

Whether it’s hiring new talent or supporting the people we’ve already got, I want to make sure we’re always evolving. Our clients rely on us to be consistent, responsive, and a step ahead. That’s exactly what I want this team to deliver.

We’ve got to stay flexible, stay close to our clients, and be ready for whatever comes next.

What’s one big focus for the next 6–12 months?

Long-term, I’d love to bring in another Key Account Manager and a support person to help expand the team. That way, we can maximise on opportunities and make sure we’re giving every project the attention it deserves.

Short-term, I’m going back to basics. I’ve got the team literally sitting around a desk and putting it together, because understanding the process from the ground up builds confidence. It sounds such a small thing, but it makes a huge difference!

We’ve got some newer members in the team, and I really want to guide them in the right direction. I respect my team so much, and I’m always thinking, “How would I want to be treated?” when it comes to communicating with them.

What’s something you’ve learned at Showcase that you’ll carry with you into this new chapter?

To be honest, I learn something new every day. But one of the biggest things I’ve learned is to just be myself. That’s never been a problem here — and it’s something I’ll keep with me in this new role.

I’ve been so lucky to work with some amazing people — Emma [Boreham], John [James], Nigel [Boreham], Estelle [Lee] — they’ve all shaped who I am today. And while I might need to be a little more “boss” than “mate” these days, I know I’ve got their support and guidance behind me. That means a lot.

And finally — what are you most excited about this year?

I’m just excited to get stuck in and do the job. We’ve already put some changes in place and the feedback’s been great — that’s really fuelling my confidence in where we’re heading.

I’m looking forward to building the team further, bringing in new business, and continuing to work with the amazing clients I’ve known for years. And honestly, I just feel really proud — of what we’re building, of the people I work with, and of the trust the business has put in me.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported me. I can’t wait for what the future holds! And to Estelle, Paul, Ken, and Dave – I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and looking forward to working with them.