PROFILE
Delight – Rachel says she was‘ shocked’ to win the Tees Businesswoman of the Year title.
Winners – previous recipients of the award join the celebrations on stage. Pictured with Rachel( third left) are, from left: Sharon Lane, Claire Preston, Jane Armitage, Danielle Croce and Kimberley Turner.
I BELIEVE PASSIONATELY IN THIS AREA, BUT I HEAR TOO MUCH NEGATIVITY.
“ In a nutshell, my job is to make sure all our employees have the tools to stay safe,” she explains.“ The company has extremely high standards and safety is everyone’ s responsibility.”
She describes her leadership style as“ transparent, authentic and open” while recognising the value of the team around her.
“ We employ really smart people, many of them with more experience or technical knowledge than me. I’ d be foolish not to listen to their guidance,” she declares.
As for the Tees Businesswoman of the Year title, she admits she was“ shocked” to win. However, she’ s excited that it’ s given her a stronger platform to bang the drum for Teesside.
“ It was an honour just to be nominated but I didn’ t expect to win in a million years, so I’ d had a few too many glasses of wine by the time I went up to collect the award,” she smiles.
“ Now, I want to make the most of it because I’ m passionate about social mobility and the award has given me a voice. I’ m in a privileged position to be able to inspire young people on Teesside to be the leaders of the future – to tell them to aim high and not listen to anyone who says they should stay in their lane.
“ I believe passionately in this area, but I hear too much negativity. We have a duty to talk it up and give people the tools and resources to succeed.”
Rachel’ s proud to be a director of two Teesside charities: Power of Women, empowering young people in the Tees Valley and raising their aspirations, and Recovery Connections, which supports people with drug and alcohol addiction.
“ The most inspirational people I’ ve met in my life are those recovering from long-term addiction – imagine the strength that takes,” she says. So, what does the future hold?“ Long-term, maybe a move into consultancy. But, for now, there’ s still a lot I want to achieve at Tracerco, and I’ m always looking for the next challenge.”
Whatever that may be, it’ s clear that Rachel Burke – reigning Tees Businesswoman of the Year – is well-suited to leadership.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 21