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I was born to immigrant parents who moved to London in the 1950s to create a better life for themselves and their future family. My upbringing was enriched by living in a multi-cultural neighbourhood full of different languages, traditions, religion, and food!
Having moved to Northampton at 7 years old to continue my education, I eventually started work at the age of 17. Given my social mobility status, university was not an option, so I continued my education through evening classes and day release, attaining a BTEC National in Business & Finance and then my formal HR qualification (CIPD). I was also awarded Fellow, Institute of Recruitment Professionals.
I am married to Stephen and have a daughter Lydia who is 25 years old.
Having spent 40 years working in a variety of HR roles in the UK and globally in several different industry sectors, I feel has enriched my knowledge of the world of work in different cultures and political regimes.
Some of the highlights/learnings of my career include:
• Delivering a leadership engagement programme for Tibbett & Britten in the Republic of South Africa post-apartheid to improve communication, foster a culture of unity and trust in the new world of work. My audience spoke 7 different languages.
• Introduced the role of ‘Talent Coach’ in a very male dominated UK retail business in 2003 to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
• Introduced skilled female leaders from the UK to an Egyptian logistics business to support an economy with huge challenges including 45% of the workforce being under the 21 and 45% unemployed. During this time as a member of the management team, we had to deal with several external challenges including a fatwa ruling toward the client we were working with.
• In 2011 I was awarded Recruitment Personality of the Year at the Recruiter Awards in recognition of my approach in “galvanising” the recruitment industry to respond to the business and ethical challenges of the impending Agency Workers Regulations.
• At the height of the pandemic, I requested and secured Covid vaccinations for all the staff who worked in our India operation including their household members. The alternative was scarcely available and unregulated.
In 2019, I experienced a huge, sudden change in my professional life which greatly affected my mental health. When you get to a certain age, you think you’re not only resilient but invincible particularly, I believe, when your foundations taught you to be resilient and not show weakness.
Having secured support, both mentally and physically I took time to pay it forward and support others who may not be in the fortunate position I was in terms of my family, my peers, my networks etc. What this also taught me is reflection is powerful and should be compulsory to support your wellbeing, recovery, and growth.
I am active outside of work in relation to a variety of health challenges that affect my family. I am a certified Menopause Coach and Mental Health First Aider, and I am proud to be an Ambassador for Women in the Law UK.