AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

The short answer is, like many, by total accident. I had an established career in Banking but as our family installation business started to grow exponentially, I decided that more of my focus needed to be invested in growth and management, ensuring our business carried on growing safely.

Please give a brief resume of your career to date marketing etc.) is transferable to any industry? mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

I started my career in Financial Services and worked in many of the Lloyds Banking Group divisions. I was particularly interested in the intricacies of regulation and governance so I was very involved in the management of the 3rd party suppliers that took care of the property portfolio for the Bank.

I believe that with a positive and open mindset, anything can be learned and achieved. Communication is often another key that I use to ensure that full engagement is realised when working on a piece of work but really, all external experiences can help our industry shape and grow.

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

I guess I’ve got the luxury of being my own boss, owning my own business, so my career is at a stage where I invest back in people. I like to share experiences and offer support where it’s required.

Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

My parting gift to the GGF will be established procedures for maintaining good corporate governance but for the longer term, expansion and growth of my own business will feature heavily during this time. I’m always learning, and actively seek to learn, so personally developing a growth plan for my business and executing it, is going to be a fun and challenging journey for me.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

I try not to focus on much when I’m at home. I have a busy life outside of work too and so I try to relax and switch off when I can. I’m a bit of a thrill seeker and love sightseeing so getting to the coast or visiting a city is always something I enjoy doing.

AT PLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

Absolutely! It takes a lot of work, to draw a boundary between home and work so because my work address is so close to home I have a rule that when I’m home, work stops so that helps with a physical stop to keep the balance.

If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family?

Travel! See the world! Learn more about different cultures and more history. I love facts and experiences so immersing myself in different cultures is something I find so fulfilling.