Interview
Stop thinking about
the gender issues
and get on with the
job; it is more about
who you are and
what you achieve
Your energy and enthusiasm are well indicated to the rest of the organisation what have always been sacrosanct. I have four
documented; do you always take on was important. I learnt a lot from carrying horses; my daughter and I both ride so it’s
projects that you’re excited about? his bags. It was funny, too, because my being lovely being able to do that together. One of
I’m now at a stage in my career where I can a woman it made him uncomfortable to see the things I’ve worked on since the Olympic
be choosy. Earlier on, I took any progression me grab his bag; so we would have a tussle bid is to create a legacy for the equestrian
that I could because to be a good manager, and then joke about it. I think when women sports in London. We’ve established Hoof, an
you need to experience a wide variety of are in roles that are traditionally held by initiative sponsored by the British Equestrian
roles and departments. But some of the jobs men, humour is a lovely route through those Federation. We are bringing together
didn’t suit me and I hated them. embarrassing and awkward moments. I don’t anybody interested in riding in London
If you are at that stage of your career, you think most older men intend to be sexist, through our website
hoof-in-town.com. We’ve
need to grit your teeth and get through it as they are just a little uncomfortable at the just launched a schools programme to enable
best you can because you will be stronger changed positions. But humour can break kids to take riding lessons and to learn about
and better for those tough experiences, once the ice, allowing you to get down to business. caring for horses. By offering grants for
you’ve left! I’m at a stage in my career where some of the lessons, we help children whose
I only get involved in things where I can Have you ever felt like a woman in a parents aren’t horsey or don’t have the
make a difference or I’ll have fun, I’m lucky. man’s world? money for lessons. It is currently available in
No, I’ve always been so busy in getting on just a couple of parts of London, but I hope it
Is there anyone in particular who has with the task at hand; it’s only afterwards will expand across the city.
taught you a lot about business? that I’ve looked back and said, gosh! I
I spent several years at British Airways was the only woman there. I would really Do you feel like you’ve achieved a lot?
being the bag carrier for the chairman, Colin encourage people to stop thinking about Most days I feel good that I’ve been given
Marshall, and every time he came to the the gender issues and get on with the job; a lot of opportunities, had a lot of luck and
US I met him off the plane and watched and it is more about who you are and what you worked hard to achieve results. I don’t have a
learned. He used to have routines that put achieve. contented personality, so I’m always looking
employees at ease – every time he arrived at around for an interesting project. I was
JFK airport, he would always meet baggage How do you relax? pleased when the Jurys Inns role came along
handlers and customer service people to ask I spend time with my family, friends and because I enjoy working with great people, in
their opinions and concerns. His behaviour horses when I’m not in business. Weekends a lovely business with ambitious plans.
22 TODAY’S BUSINESS WOMAN
T'sBW6 Interview.vp.indd 22 1/12/08 4:34:18 pm
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