Serving the Teesside Business Community | 47
DO IT YOUR
OWN WAY
When I was at school, I wanted to be…
a personal assistant. I was very organised,
and I liked the idea of helping others get
organised too.
The best business decision I ever made
was… to join an apprenticeship scheme
at Middlesbrough Council at the age of 16.
I couldn’t wait to start work, and I felt an
apprenticeship route was the perfect way
to learn new skills and work at the same
time. I’ve subsequently worked my way up
from business administration apprentice to
city centre manager, and it is something I’m
proud of.
The best part of my job is… seeing
my accomplishments come to life and
people enjoying them. The creation of
Orange Pip Market and the regeneration
of Baker and Bedford Street are what I am
especially proud of. This area of town was
predominantly made up of empty terraced
houses, and working in partnership with
Jomast we’ve been able to turn it into a
popular independent shopping, food and
drink destination.
The biggest downside of my working life
is… I find it really hard to switch off as I’m
always thinking about how we can improve
Middlesbrough’s city centre offer. While
my office hours are Monday to Friday, my
thinking around the job extends way beyond
this.
If I could change one thing to help my
organisation, it would be… people’s
perspective of what the council is
responsible for. A lot of people think we are
responsible for everything but ultimately
great things happen when people work
together to achieve it. The regeneration
of Baker Street and Bedford Street is an
excellent example of this.
Four words to describe me are… driven,
passionate, determined and loyal.
My business mantra is… “do it your own
way”, be agile and flexible but determined
to succeed and have the confidence to do it
how you want.
My greatest achievement is… having my
daughter Isla.
The advice I’d give to business start-ups
is… consider Middlesbrough first, we have
so much to offer.
The biggest character on the Tees
business scene… there isn’t one person.
We’re fortunate to have many big business
characters in the area, so it’s tricky to pick
out one. What they are all good at is talking
up the area and raising the spotlight on the
great things happening here.
The individual who is my tip for the top
among Tees businesses is… Phil Christie,
who has recently opened The Zetland,
opposite Middlesbrough railway station.
I’ve only met him once but his vision and
passion for the area connected with me –
plus the food they serve is fantastic too.
Teesside’s a great place for business
because… the people are brilliant. They
are hard working, loyal and resilient, with
a good sense of humour and they are
passionate about what they do.
My biggest frustration about Teesside
is… people’s perception of the area is so
far removed from reality. It is a great place
to live and work, and I wouldn’t want to be
anywhere else.
My favourite local charity is… Maisie’s
Hope, which raises money for specialist
baby equipment for James Cook University
Hospital. It was set up a couple of years
ago in memory of Maisie Hope. It is a small
charity that does amazing good, and it is
close to my heart.
When I’m not working, I like to spend
my time… with my family and friends.
We especially love to visit independent
restaurants such as Baker Street Kitchen,
The Curing House and The Fork in the Road.
Orange Pip Market is a must-visit when
it’s in town, and I’m pleased the Town
Hall is back open following its extensive
refurbishment as I like attending local gigs
there too.
My guilty pleasures are… Jo Malone
candles and Mac lipsticks.
The best holiday I ever had was… in New
York. It was the perfect mix of shopping,
sightseeing and eating out, and I loved
every minute of it.
Not many people know this about me,
but… I have an identical twin sister called
Hayley. She works away but when she’s
back home a lot of people mistake her for
me.
In retirement, I’ll spend my time…
travelling the world and visiting new places.
While travelling, I’ll be an ambassador for
the area and tell everyone what a great
place Middlesbrough is and encourage
them to come and visit us.