My role at Impact...

I have a really exciting and varied role which has three parts to it. I head up business development in the UK, that’s part one. I have a role on the European management team focused primarily on sales and marketing but also looking to find talented people to join our team in Europe. Then globally I am responsible for our marketing messages and image. It keeps me busy and out of mischief (most of the time) that’s for sure!

Highlights of my career so far...

My career has been one big highlight to be honest. I came to Impact with no particularly big career ambitions, I just wanted to make a difference and to be recognised for my talents (which I wasn’t totally sure of at the time) in a company that was going places and in which anything is possible. I wasn’t disappointed.

In those days there were only about 30 people in the whole company. We were a UK business with one branch office in Japan and we owned just one hotel in the Lake District. Today we operate in over 50 countries with offices in 18 locations around the world, employ over 250 people, own three hotels and several other entrepreneurial businesses. It’s exciting!

I started in an office role, supporting the sales team, organising marketing campaigns, setting up programmes for our team of coaches and, most importantly of all, providing excellent service to customers mostly on the phone. I was the hub of everything that happens in Impact and I loved it!

I can honestly say that I’ve never looked back from day one. As Impact’s journey has unfolded so my own career evolved. To say it’s been exciting is an understatement. It’s been loads of hard work but lots of fun along the way too. I’ve been to places around the world that I would never have had the chance to see. I’ve met and worked with some truly amazing and inspiring people. I’ve achieved a degree in marketing, something I never thought I would get to do having left school at 16. I’ve been regularly encouraged to try new roles, to challenge myself and take on more responsibilities. I manage a team of people and a key function of the business. I do things in my work that I never dreamt I would have the courage to do, but I’ve always felt supported to have a go and to learn from my mistakes.

My highlights aren’t all about work though. I’ve made some of my best friendships at Impact. Friends that I know will always be part of my life and who I know will share memories with me from our rocking chairs overlooking the ocean in years to come!

What makes me an amazing person?

There are lots of people at Impact who’ve been to incredible places and done unbelievable things with their lives. But not me... So what makes me an amazing person? Well don’t reach for the bucket but I think Impact has made me an amazing person. I was shy, I had little confidence and no direction in life when I came across this little company called Impact. Those who knew me 17 years ago would say that I’m a different person these days and all the better for my career here.

I guess there are a couple of things that sum me up and possibly make me an amazing person if that’s not too strong a word! One is that I’m prepared to have a go at anything. I have the courage to try new things, take on new challenges, fail if necessary and sometimes make a wally of myself. The second is that I really care for the people I work with, especially those I manage and those who continue to support me on my journey – it’s a give and take thing. Finally, I’m told that I’m lots of fun, sociable, good at building relationships and making people feel welcome.

Now you can reach for the bucket!