EVERY ORGANISATION ON MY CV HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK FOR , ENABLING ME TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS AND GAIN EXPERIENCE FROM A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE , SOME OF WHOM WILL BE FRIENDS FOR LIFE .
1 : WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT AT SCHOOL ?
A : PE - I always loved a team game , especially netball and hockey – couldn ’ t run distance back then which is very different to now ! Could chuck a discus and shotput , though !
2 : WHO WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD HERO , AND WHY ?
A :
I loved Wonder Woman , still do . In a day when to be fair it didn ’ t matter who was who , you just liked people , characters or you didn ’ t . It was less complicated then . I thought she was amazing and what she represented for young girls .
3 : HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW ?
A :
I worked abroad for a few years when I had trained in the fitness industry but returned and fell into training staff in the workplace . The induction of my first UK job was so poor I fed this back and they said to redo it then , so I did ! This resulted in getting a feel for helping people , improving individuals and education followed . I took a punt at management at 24 which was very daunting , but have since gone on to be in leadership and management roles for 20 years this year ( scary !).
4 : WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ORGANISATION ON AYCLIFFE BUSINESS PARK AND WHY ( EXCLUDING YOUR OWN )?
A :
I have two – 3M is one , having worked with them in the past and seeing how their manufacturing operations work and speed in terms of response to demand amazes me . The second is May Green Marketing – Sarah ’ s ( MD ) support for apprentices and knowledge around marketing is second to none .
6 : WHAT ’ S THE BEST BUSINESS DECISION YOU EVER MADE ?
A :
Moving organisations when the time was right for me . I have never made a bad move yet , and every organisation on my CV has been a pleasure to work for , enabling me to develop new skills and gain experience from a wealth of knowledgeable people , some of whom will be friends for life .
7 : WHAT ’ S THE WORST DECISION YOU ’ VE EVER MADE ?
A :
Tolerating behaviours from individuals when I was learning in management early on and not saying anything when I knew I was right . Speak up !
8 : IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION , WHAT WOULD IT BE ?
A :
I ’ d like to shout a little bit louder about what we do and the scale of what has been achieved over the last 40 years , but that ’ s not our style . We are understated and quietly confident in how we operate , which is not a bad thing .
9 : ARE YOU AN EARLY RISER OR A NIGHT OWL ?
A :
Definitely a night owl – 5 o ’ clock on my watch only shows up once a day in my house !
10 : |
WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS MANTRA ? |
A : |
“ If you don ’ t ask you don ’ t get ”. |
11 : |
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A
SMALL STARTUP ?
|
A : |
Take a ‘ no ’ as a delayed ‘ yes ’. |
12 : WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ?
A :
The future ’ s now , so many things to explore and adventures to be had as an individual and with my boys and their dreams . Living life in the moment !
13 : WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR ORGANISATION ?
A :
Exciting ! We are led by local employers and individuals who need support so flex in the business to respond and navigate these tough times is something we have in droves . Our achievements are excellent , our staff , learners and employers are happy and we work in a fabulous new building that ’ s like a home from home .
EVERY ORGANISATION ON MY CV HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK FOR , ENABLING ME TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS AND GAIN EXPERIENCE FROM A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE , SOME OF WHOM WILL BE FRIENDS FOR LIFE .
14 : WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE PRIME MINISTER IF YOU SAW HIM ON AYCLIFFE BUSINESS PARK ?
A :
We ’ re off to Roseberry Topping for a chat … how you get down will depend on your answers .
15 : WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL CHARITY ?
A :
The Teesside Family Foundation . I ’ m running a double ultra marathon in June , 70 miles followed by 110km across the country and decided to generate funds for their specialist equipment unit . They buy bespoke wheelchairs , car seats and such like for families where quality of life will suffer as a result of not having the right kit for their disabled kids to get out and about .
16 : WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT ?
A :
There is a small local Italian where the owner and his family have been or over 30 years , Caruso ’ s in Stockton . Homely , well-cooked food and as far removed from pretention as you can get , perfect .
17 : WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL EVENING MEAL ?
A :
A beach BBQ in the summer on a warm evening in lovely company – simple .
18 : WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME ?
A :
I like to get up in the hills and on an odd mountain when I can , training and enjoying priceless peace . Then silly , fun things with my two sons , Evan and Eddie .
19 : |
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM , AND WHO
IS YOUR FAVOURITE ACTOR ?
|
A : |
I am very loyal – Top Gun since 1986 , |
has to be , so Tom Cruise . |
20 : WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF ?
A :
People just being themselves without inflicting who they are on everyone else .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 7