I am proud that I have managed to retain some semblance of balance in my life. Between a successful career, some great friends and family, awesome kids and a very tolerant husband – it hasn’t been easy!
1.What was your first job, and how was it?
When I was 14 I worked in a garden centre in Surrey - a very unsuccessful garden centre. The job comprised of making tea for customers and climbing into a pond each day to clean it out. This job has by no means been a career highlight!
2. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
I am proud that I have managed to retain some semblance of balance in my life. Between a successful career, some great friends and family, awesome kids and a very tolerant husband – it hasn’t been easy!
3. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Several people have given me similar advice over the years, which I summarise as a small shove in the back – you’ve got this, go do it! These people have made me believe I can do anything, and engrained that mantra within me. I no longer need that push to go after opportunities.
4. If you could step into the shoes of one businessperson for the day, who would it be and why?
Writer, broadcaster, producer and political activist Sandi Toksvig. What she is doing in life is immense. She is fearless, driven, hilarious and driving a feminist agenda very close to my heart.
5. In three words or less, how do you define success?
Achieving your purpose.
6. How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
You have to start with trust, it’s the foundation of everything. I’m also very goal-driven – setting a vision, and setting a list of goals to achieve that vision. But you need to have that trusting and challenging environment to bring people along with you.
7. How do you relax?
I’m not particularly good at relaxing. I go through waves of reading but then I become obsessive with it and then it’s not very relaxing! I am a fanatical non-fiction reader. I’ve just read Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman: How Gender Equality Can Save the World! It’s about equality, or lack thereof, and female leadership. During quiet weeks I am also a frustrated pianist.
8. What is your motto?
Nothing is impossible.
9. What are your aspirations for the future of Elavon?
We want to be an employer of choice in our industry, have the best customer service results, and the best set of customer propositions. I want us to dominate omnichannel solutions across Europe..
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