Where are you from, and where do you live now? What do you like about those places?
Grimsby and Cardiff. Grimsby has the best fish and chips in the world and Cardiff is fantastically vibrant and diverse city.
What did you study at college/university and why?
I studied Law at Uni eventhough I didn’t want to be a lawyer. Truth be told, I didn’t really want to go to university, but it was the only way I could get enough money to leave Grimsby and relocate. In hindsight, it was a fantastic degree and I had the time of my life attending the University of Westminster on Regent Street! Imagine that, from Grimsby to the West End.
Tell me about your career history, from your part-time jobs to how you got here
My very first job was delivering newspapers. I had a round of 27 houses which I used to get up at 6:30 to do before going to school. On a Saturday, I would also deliver milk, bread and newspapers to the local care home for an extra £4.50 a week. I was 14 years old when I started this job and did it for almost two years. I then got a job in a donut and burger stall by the seaside selling hot food, ice cream and seaside candy (sticks of rock, candy floss etc). Then, I went to university, worked a few other jobs and then started as a Digital Marketing Communications Executive at Civil Society Media before becoming a Headhunter for a year. At this point, I decided to leave London, relocated to Cardiff and became the Programme Manager for Wales and the West of England for First Give; expanding the organisation into Wales. Four and half years and a pandemic later, I joined Speakers for Schools as the Head of Wales and then Future First as the Programme Innovation Director. At every step of the way since 18, I have been a trustee on the boards of several national charities.
What are you passionate about?
So many things… From a work perspective; social mobility, diversity on charity boards, charity governance and the education system. From a personal life; fitness, politics and popular culture.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Fitness things, cooking and playing the Nintendo Switch… or watching trashy TV like Selling Sunset, Below Deck and Coach Trip.
What’s it like working in the education/charity industry?
Extremely rewarding for several reasons; your work has an impact on people (and in our case, young people). You get to work with driven and very hard working people all of whom want to make a difference to the lives of young people.
What have been your work highlights from the past few weeks?
Probably starting work on a major funded project as well as seeing people in the team share some great stories and feedback from teachers and young people about our work.
What’s one unusual or interesting fact about you?
I once hosted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at an international conference after collecting them from their cars.
Which of your role models would you most like to meet and why?
Kylie Minogue – because, why not?!
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