1. What's been your career journey so far?
I started my career at Kiss FM in 1990, just one month after it had launched as a legal radio station. I was on a break from my degree?.and never looked back! We had a lot of fun but also worked terrifically hard and it was the sort of business where I would find myself doing anything from my official day job in traffic and accounts through to running the ?listener holiday to Ibiza? or even the music research. Kiss FM is also where I met my husband so my time there holds lots of special memories.
I went on to spend many happy years in commercial radio leading operational and technology teams across the U.K. both as part of the launch team for the hugely successful sales division, Emap on Air, and working with the radio station teams as the Group Operations Director for Emap Performance (now Bauer Media).
In 2005, I jumped ship to television and joined Flextech/ ids as the Commercial Operations Associate Director and what was later to become Virgin Media Television (VMTV) as the Operations and Technology Director. We achieved a great deal during my time at VMTV, notably for becoming the first end-to-end digital broadcaster in the U.K. I worked with some incredible people, several of whom I am lucky enough to work alongside today.
In 2009, I headed North for a truly epic adventure and became the Chief Executive of The Studios, MediaCityUK (now Dock10). We successfully launched the business, built and led the teams delivering production and media services to both the BBC and other independent production companies. It was a start-up business unlike any other and The Studios produced hundreds of iconic shows spanning everything from Match of the Day to Blue Peter and Mr Tumble.
My most important life changing event happened whilst I was in the North West and that was becoming mother to my wonderful daughter Lucy. It prompted a return to London and a new professional adventure as Managing Director of The Lighthouse Company, a boutique consultancy and search business. It was through this role that I reconnected with some former colleagues at UKTV and I was delighted to join the team in 2015.
As Chief Technology and Operations Officer (CTOO), I look after all the technical and operational aspects of UKTV. Since joining UKTV in March 2015, I have been part of the team responsible for leading a significant and successful technology refresh spanning business systems, digital app development and driving the company's live and data strategy programmes.
Although my spare time is scarce, (Lucy keeps me very busy), I am a huge theatre fan and am very proud to be a Non-Executive Director at the wonderful Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
2. Who's the most inspiring woman in your life?
My daughter. She may only be four and it might sound trite but I am totally driven to do my best for her. Lucy has completely changed my approach to all aspects of my life and I feel that it is an important for me to make both the time we are together as well as the time we are apart count. I want her to be proud of her mummy and so it is absolutely true to say that she inspires me to be better and to be a positive role model for her.
3. If you could sit down with any influential woman (living or passed) for a coffee, who would it be and why?
My mum. I lost her in 2005. I think she would be very proud of me.
4. What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
I often struggle to think about this question as a single event. I have always successfully weathered external challenges and it would be fair to say I have experienced a book's worth of these. Battling with the internal dialogue that informs confidence is my personal demon and one that is not exclusive to but certainly seems more prevalent in women.
A mix of working for great leaders, with great coaches and mentors and having smart supportive friends has really helped me to vanquish that pesky little voice of self-doubt. At the start of my career, I would strive for perfection and worry about what people might think if I didn't achieve it, I now love all the bumps on the road ? they remind me that we are moving fast.
5. What do you hope for in the next five years?
Primarily I want to be a great mum, wife, sister, friend, workmate and CTOO and to enjoy all of those things as much as possible.
Thinking specifically about UKTV, I want to continue to be part of a team that does great work. We want to keep pushing the boundaries of possibility in technology terms to give our viewers the very best experience.
6. What's the best advice you've ever received?
Two pieces of advice have stayed with me over the years ? 'do what you say you are going to do?or negotiate? and ?figure out what you want and find a way to ask for it? (so often easier said than done).
