Joy Hagelthorn is a senior product manager with more than 17 years’ experience in digital innovation. For the past three years, she has focused exclusively on UK conveyancing and lender technology, working closely across product design and software delivery. Her work is centred on reducing friction in the UK conveyancing process by developing intuitive, modern products that streamline workflows and improve outcomes for lenders, conveyancers and wider stakeholders.
What was your career path to your current role?
I have spent more than 17 years working in digital innovation, focused on improving systems and making processes work better. I began in IT hardware installations before moving into database management, where I worked as a senior Oracle DBA for organisations including McDonald’s UK and Kingston University.
Having lived in five countries during that time, I have shaped my career around both opportunity and family life as a mother of three. Across every role, the common thread has been using technology to remove friction and create smoother ways of working. From leading innovation in education in Dubai to my current role as senior product manager at e4 Strategic UK, the focus has remained the same: using technology to drive meaningful, practical, measurable improvement.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
I have always been driven by the need to improve how things work. Early in my career that meant strengthening IT disaster recovery processes, later it meant rethinking teaching approaches to support deeper and more meaningful learning.
While the sectors have varied, the ambition has stayed consistent in terms of identifying gaps, reducing inefficiencies and putting better systems in place that make a lasting difference.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
I am naturally curious and motivated by continuous learning. I am comfortable acknowledging when I don’t know something and I see that as an opportunity to deepen my understanding. By engaging with experts and collaborating as a team, I’m able to better understand the challenge and contribute to delivering better outcomes.
If you could change one thing about the transaction process, what would it be?
The process is still too sequential and siloed. One party waits for another’s document, then re-keys and re-checks it. That creates delay and duplication.
I would start every transaction with an upfront, reusable digital property pack. It would contain verified core information such as title data, TA forms, EPC, key searches and lease or management details where relevant. It would sit in a shared workspace with clear permissions and a full audit trail.
With that in place, lenders, surveyors and conveyancers could run workstreams in parallel. It would cut repeat enquiries, reduce chasing and allow automation to flag issues early, such as title or name mismatches.
Do you think conveyancing will ever be fully digitalised?
I do not believe it will ever be completely touchless. The UK system involves complex titles, multiple parties and significant professional responsibility, meaning elements of human judgement will always be needed.
Do you think It should be?
I think there should be a clear goal to digitise processes wherever possible. This should include agreed standards to address non-standard issues as they arise, so they can be incorporated into digital workflows.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Stay curious. A former leader once told me that the people who grow fastest are those who never stop asking questions. That mindset has kept my career fresh and progressive.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Know where you’re going by setting intentional goals. Ask plenty of questions with the intention of truly understanding, not just keeping up.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
I led the groundwork for the creation of a junior school in Kibera, Kenya, and subsequently oversaw its development and running. It was a privilege to be involved in such a meaningful initiative which had a direct and lasting impact on the local community.
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