When I started Lisa Gardner Talent, I knew exactly the kind of agency I wanted to build. One where relationships come first, honesty matters and every client knows they have someone firmly in their corner.

Before becoming an agent, I trained as an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and spent almost ten years working across theatre, television and radio. I know the excitement of landing a role, but I also know the uncertainty that comes with this profession. The waiting. The rejection. The self-doubt that can creep in, even after years of experience.

I’ve also been lucky enough to experience the industry from the other side of the table. Working with casting director Andy Brierley CDG gave me a real insight into the casting process before I spent almost a decade at Independent Talent Group, where I learnt from one of the very best, Samira Higham, before becoming an agent myself.

Every step of that journey has shaped how I work today.

For me, being an agent has never been just about finding the next audition. It’s about getting to know the person behind the headshot and CV. Understanding what excites them, what challenges them and what they want their career to look like – not just next month, but years from now. Sometimes that means celebrating the wins together. Sometimes it means being the person who reminds you to keep believing in yourself when this industry inevitably tests that belief.

Supporting actors extends beyond the clients I represent. I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learnt with the wider acting community and lead workshops and Q&A sessions with drama schools and industry groups, offering practical advice, honest feedback and an insight into the industry from an agent’s perspective. It’s something I enjoy and, I hope, a way of helping actors feel just a little more informed and a little more confident as they navigate their own careers.

I’m so lucky to represent a wonderful group of human beings, who also happen to be incredibly talented performers. Due to the way I work, my client list is deliberately kept small, but I try to respond and offer feedback to representation queries whenever possible.