PROFI LE
When I was at school, I wanted to be…a librarian. I thought
it would be a great job because I would be able to read
fiction all day!
The best business decision I ever made was…joining
Jacksons. I was very nervous about doing this because I
had not been working in commercial property for about
ten years then and I wondered if I could still remember
everything needed. I took a temporary part-time contract in
2004 and have never left. The firm has always been really
supportive, friendly and a fun place to work and I don’t
think I would have had such an interesting and rewarding
career for the last 16 years if I had not taken the plunge.
The worst business decision I ever made was…I think
all the business decisions I have made have been for the
right reasons at the time, even if with hindsight I might
have done things differently. I am a great believer that it is
better to make a decision than no decision and as long as
you make a considered, informed decision, that is the best
you can do. Having said that, I have been guilty at times
of prevaricating when a difficult and possibly unpleasant
decision had to be made and I think sometimes it is better
to “remove the Elastoplast quickly”.
The best part of my job is…working with the fantastic and
hardworking staff we have at Jacksons and seeing them
develop their careers and progress. It is really satisfying
to see people progress through the firm from trainee to
partner, from apprentice to fee earner etc. We have always
believed that everyone should have the chance to develop
their career, provided they have the ability and the work
ethic to do so, and when people fly there is nothing better.
The biggest downside of my working life is…that there
are never enough hours in the day. There are so many
things I would like to initiate for the firm and time I would
like to spend with clients, staff and meeting the business
community, but we need to strike a balance and that means
there is always so much more you could do. It helps having
great team leaders, though, to whom ideas and initiatives
can be delegated, and knowing they will do such a great
job.
If I could change one thing about myself it would be…I
would worry less! Sleep lost worrying about family or work
or a whole host of other things doesn’t achieve anything
apart from making you tired and grumpy!
Four words to describe me are…I hope people would say
caring, hardworking, determined, fair.
My business mantra is…treat everyone with respect and
give 110 per cent and you can do no more.
My greatest achievement is…raising two fantastic children
who are now adults who care passionately about making
the world a better place but are still fun to be around.
The advice I’d give to business start-ups is…it is going to
be harder than you ever imagined but can be so rewarding.
Do your homework carefully and research your market but
accept and prepare for ups and downs and have some
contingency for when these occur.
“Treat everyone with respect
and give 110 per cent and
you can do no more.”
The biggest mistake the owners of new businesses make
is…not putting together proper documentation in an effort
to save cost. We see so many businesses who have not
paid for proper terms and conditions or had their lease
reviewed or entered into bespoke shareholder agreements,
believing that they can save money by downloading
documents from Google and then when they need to use
these documents they hit problems which can completely
derail their business. Find the funds to set up properly and
there will be some protection when things get difficult.
The Tees region’s a great place for business because…
it is a friendly and supportive business community where
everyone wants to work together with lots of opportunities.
My biggest frustration about the Tees region is…the way
it is portrayed outside of the region. Some people have no
idea about the region and others know us from the way
the national news organisations turn up here when there
is a national bad news story to tell. It is great that the Tees
Valley is selling itself positively at the moment and long
may that continue.
My favourite local charity is…High Tide Foundation.
Jacksons is a corporate partner of High Tide and it is great
that the charity is working with local young people to
show them career opportunities and the future they could
have right here in the Tees Valley. We need to support
our young people to have confidence and to believe in
themselves and their future. I think High Tide is doing a
fantastic job with this.
When I’m not working, I like to spend my time…with my
family, walking or cycling in our beautiful countryside,
travelling and enjoying a good dinner out!
My guilty pleasures are…chocolate and a nice glass of red
on a Friday evening.
When I’m stressed about work, I…try to get outside or go
for a swim to provide some calm – a walk along the beach
at Saltburn is especially good for this – and then seek
counsel from my husband, who is a great sounding board.
Not many people know this about me but…I lived with my
family for three years in Chicago where I volunteered for
a children’s charity providing winter coats to children who
wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend school because of
the cold. I tried to educate the Americans in British sarcasm
and spent 9/11 reading The Twits to elementary school
children because apparently in a crisis an English accent is
soothing.
In retirement, I’ll spend my time…travelling – I have a list
of places I would like to explore, enjoying long walks and
coffee shops and visiting family and friends.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 57