The Boardroom

Directors, specialists, CEOs, MBEs, PhD holders, and other higher-ups… they’re all people you might meet in the boardroom. It’s a professional space where best behaviour is upheld. But these successful types are people too! They have lives and we want to know what goes on in them. We squeeze answers out of them on subjects you wouldn’t normally discuss in the boardroom

PROFILE:

Asha Day BEM International Recruitment Lead Leicester Partnership NHS Trust Age: 21 x a couple of times Born in Punjab, India Lives in Fleckney, Leicestershire Noteworthy: Created an internationally-used tool to assess, treat, and identify maternal mental illness in Punjabi speaking women in England.

FRIENDSHIPS: How would you describe yourself as a friend? Reliable and loyal. I may have a hard exterior, but on the inside I have a heart that melts like chocolate! ADVENTURES: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done? When I returned to India for study, I didn’t book accommodation. I speak the language so thought I’ll be able to organise it there. But I landed at midnight and was taken aback by the culture shock. Fortunately, I had someone with me and we figured it out.

ENVIRONMENT: Where would your nearest and dearest look for you? I love driving, so I like to find a resting place with a scenic view.

HEALTH AND FITNESS: What’s your unhealthiest habit? This may be terrible coming from a diabetic, but

I love chocolate!

INTELLECTUAL LIFE: What do you geek out on? I like listening to psychologist John Amaechi’s podcast and reading books by Dan Brown.

RELATIONSHIPS: What’s your best relationship advice? The rule for any long-lasting relationship is based on compromise and an equal balance of mutual trust.

SKILLS: Weirdly good at anything? I used to be really good at needle point and cross stitch, but I have turned my hand to growing and caring for orchids.

SPIRITUAL LIFE: Which of life’s mysteries keep you up at night? I am a Reiki master. I do it for friends and family to help reduce their levels of pain.

CAREER: What’s the worst part about your job? Feeling isolated. I enjoy networking, but I can’t physically see colleagues very often due to Covid.

CREATIVE LIFE: Outside of work, what did you last ‘create’? A community report on the mental health of gypsies and travelling communities. We created a collage of videos, stories and photos which was an entirely new process! FAMILY LIFE: What’s your most fond memory from childhood? Leaving India aged four, I remember saying to my grandparents: “Come with me to England!” And, I would hide sugar canes, but once I got caught. It slipped out of my hand, hit my foot and I’ve had a scar ever since.

COMMUNITY LIFE: Which political topic are you most interested in right now? I’ve always been drawn to areas of injustice and inequality, especially around Covid. It’s heart-breaking to see health care workers who have passed away, resemble me in the news.