THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Founder & Partner
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
It’s a highly varied role that revolves around people. So, I could be meeting with Executives from across the Fashion, Luxury & Lifestyle industries to discuss how we can help them re-shape their organisations and drive high performance teams and cultures. I could also be with one of our business school partners discussing how we can better assist post MBA and EMBA talent re-enter the workforce or be spending time with my team of global specialist partners ranging from behavioural science, neuroscience and psychology to keep myself up to speed or pull them in on any projects where their expertise is needed.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
I didn’t have a clue but I was always fascinated by people’s stories so I guess I found my way into the right career. I do wish I had studied Psychology though.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
I have a BA in English Literature, Politics, Philosophy and I’m currently studying to be a better Executive Coach.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Learn to appreciate failure as a learning curve that never ends - that way it won’t limit you, it will better direct you.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
I have a real love for thinkers and different perspectives - that ranges from people like Malcolm Gladwell and Margaret Heffernan through to people I work with/for, who challenge me to continue developing. It’s important we all continue to expand our world views, it only makes us better humans.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
How varied it is in terms of brands, people, geographies and projects we work on. I could start my week in Milan, be at an industry event back in London mid-week, and then finish by meeting someone in the U.S or China via Skype. Never a dull moment.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
Emails! I’m always looking for tips and tricks to be more efficient and drive my personal time management but I haven’t found anything that helps me get through my inbox before the weekend.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
In no particular order; empathy, adaptability, tenacity and courage, as well as an incessant curiosity in people and new ideas.
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
Hugely, but there’s a serious misconception that diversity relates to only gender, age or ethnicity. It’s much bigger than that, it also relates to differing life experiences, different perspectives and opinions are such an important factor in driving innovative thinking within teams at any and every level as well as for personal growth. We all need to embrace diversity within a much wider context.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
Terrible recently, especially since we launched - now the real work begins!
ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
There’s a great quote by Bill Nye I always try to remember: “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.”
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
Well there’s me and the specialists I work with are a strong mix of gender, age, ethnicities and come from different walks of life. Diversity breeds innovation, so I’ve made it a mission of mine to be surrounded by it, in all its forms.
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
Definitely. It’s important to just be, and accept that you’re not perfect - you won’t know everything in every given moment and that’s ok. There’s a false fallacy out there to, “fake it until you make it.” It never worked for me, instead what worked was to be honest and own what I did know and learn where I didn’t.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
I’m terrible at the 5yr plan - I never thought I’d run my own business but I can honestly say that passion has led me here, so there’s nothing but possibility ahead!