I am a multi-award-winning social mobility expert, resilience coach, and entrepreneur. My mission is deeply personal: to build truly diverse workforces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. My journey, marked by perseverance and reinvention, is not just my story; it is my driver for creating meaningful change for others. My life has been a powerful narrative of breaking barriers and defying expectations, embodying the spirit of the Inclusive Awards. Leaving school with no formal qualifications and facing cultural pressures, I got married at 16. At 24, I made a courageous decision to leave a difficult marriage. As a single mother of two young children, I worked in an environment where there were many barriers to progression, and I had to work much harder than my peers to prove myself. Determined to create a better life for my children and myself, I made it my mission to ensure they did not struggle as I did. This drive became my key focus for the next several years and underscores the extraordinary resilience I’ve had to cultivate.
In recent years, I have faced significant personal challenges, including a degenerative disc disease that has affected my mobility. This has necessitated the use of a wheelchair for accessibility, adding another layer of complexity to my journey and deepening my understanding of the barriers faced by those with disabilities.
My career, built from the ground up, showcases my dedication to social mobility and inclusion across all strands of diversity. From launching a coaching and training business in 2003 when faced with redundancy from the city, to co-founding a social enterprise for disadvantaged youth, I have consistently turned challenges into opportunities. Throughout my diverse 40+ year career, I have navigated corporate environments, charitable organisations, social enterprises, and the public sector. My expertise spans business development, stakeholder engagement, and leadership, all underpinned by a deep understanding of the barriers faced by marginalised communities. My work directly aligns with the Inclusive Awards’ criteria, as I have consistently demonstrated excellence in promoting equality and inclusion in all areas of my work. As the Careers & Social Mobility Manager at Tower Hamlets Council, I lead transformative initiatives aimed at enriching the lives and futures of young people. With an unwavering commitment to amplifying social and cultural capital, I bridge the gap between education, employment, and opportunity. My work with care leavers and young people with SEND highlights my dedication to ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of success. My approach is characterised by my ability to foster collaboration across sectors, building strategic partnerships with businesses, educators, and policymakers. I am a passionate advocate for inclusive environments, helping organisations develop meaningful talent pipelines and cultures of belonging. As a keynote speaker, I bring a unique blend of authenticity and practical wisdom. My insights into resilience, self-belief, and creating environments where people thrive will resonate deeply with diverse audiences and are based on my lived experiences. My ability to deliver actionable strategies and inspire action makes me a sought-after leader and speaker. My work has been recognised with multiple awards, a testament to my transformative impact on individuals and organisations. My dedication to empowering others to unlock their potential and own their future is at the heart of everything I do. My story is more than motivation; it’s a journey in resilience, reinvention, and creating real change, all of which are essential for building truly diverse and inclusive workforces. My time at Tower Hamlets Council is drawing to an end; however, my mission and vision on improving social mobility does not end there. I will continue to promote the importance of high-quality careers education that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets they need to navigate the increasingly complex world of work. My focus is to continue creating a level playing field and normalising this to ensure every young person is given fair and equitable access to outstanding opportunities and interventions whilst working with those who have the greatest influence in a child’s aspirations; educators and parents/carers. My aim is to have a society where this is seen as standard and not as a privilege.