Following a degree in Law, I spent 4.5 years in legal publishing as an editor before moving to London and taking a job as a PA at Westminster Abbey.
Family circumstances necessitated a move to Scotland and a new role as an EA at a private school, working with the senior leadership team. Seeking fresh opportunities, I joined Mott MacDonald as a programme office coordinator on a busy, £1.6Bn+ defence infrastructure programme and worked my way up to assistant project manager via a project coordination role.
A mentoring opportunity with one of our commercial directors saw me offered a new role in commercial management which was a fantastic match for my skills and experience, and I promoted within half a year of starting the role. I now lead a small team of commercial managers, working principally on defence nuclear contracts as well as civil nuclear work.
As a working mother with three children (aged 8, 5 and 1), and a husband in the military who works away from home, I am incredibly passionate about promoting the possibilities of maintaining a healthy work-life balance with fellow military family members, among whom there is a very high rate of under-utilisation and under-employment. I offer mentoring, CV and interview workshops to those looking to gain confidence and find meaningful roles.
I was delighted recently to be awarded the Military Values in Business Award at the Scottish ex-Forces in Business Awards for my success in my role and work advocating for military family members.