(though 55 in the photo—thank you, flattering lighting and sheer dumb luck!)
Life has been a bit of a patchwork quilt—colourful, unpredictable, and stitched together with a mix of adventure, curiosity, and a healthy dose of chaos.
What Makes Me Tick?
Blue skies, warm sun, and a sea so still it practically insists you swim in it. That’s my idea of perfect day. Add a long walk, wide open spaces and food eaten outdoors, and I’m one happy camper.
Lately, I’ve been dusting off my creative side—dabbling in silver jewellery (hello, seashell designs), knitting woolly hats, and trying to remember how to write a good story.
I’m a glass-half-full kind of person—preferably with a bit of fizz in it. Reuniting with old friends? Pure joy. But seeing people treated unfairly? That’s when I roll up my sleeves and prepare to sharpen my my metaphorical pitchfork.
The Advice I’d Give My Younger Self
Do more. Don’t waste time worrying about ‘what ifs.’ Dive in, explore, and savour every moment before responsibility starts clipping your wings.
My Working Life
My first career was as a secondary school teacher, where I taught Geography, English, and Art—in Cornwall, and as far afield as Kenya and Botswana. That is, until birthing my own children and questioning my life choices, I took a sharp left turn and went back to university to study Professional Writing.
From there, I jumped into the world of freelancing, a fancy way of saying, “yes to anything that paid” and wearing many hats. Adaptability became my superpower, and I took on roles as a journalist, marketing consultant, researcher, and project coordinator. One role – the Mother & Baby Awards – I masterminded single-handed for 10 years, orchestrating an army of willing mum volunteers to test thousands of nursery products—think military precision, but with pushchairs and baby wipes.
My third career, armed with yet another Post Graduate qualification and a Marketing Diploma, and with children now able to drive and use a tin opener, led me into the world of funded programmes and into business support. Loosely I facilitated people and companies with opportunities or knowledge to achieve their ambitions.
And now? Well, I could take up semi-retirement. Or I could dive headfirst into Career Number Four. Enter Marmaladies—a bold, slightly bonkers adventure where I get to learn, connect, and give aging a good kick up the backside. Because why fade into the background when you can shake things up?
My Proudest Achievements
Earning a distinction in my MBA while raising three teenage boys. (I still don’t know how I pulled that off!)
Being the mother of a young man with an incredibly rare genetic condition—so rare, in fact, that he was the first identified case. It’s been a journey of grief, resilience, and finding joy in the tiniest victories. It’s taught me how to shift expectations, rethink ambitions, and appreciate the incredible power of kindness—both in giving and receiving.
But honestly? My greatest achievement has been in raising those three magnificent humans, who also seem to quite like me too.
Personal Drivers: How do I score myself (Out of 5)?
I’m a Completer-Finisher. Give me a deadline, and I’ll get the job done—not just well, but with insights and that extra mile. I’m meticulous, determined, and always looking to add value.
- Creative/Artist/Imaginative = 5
- Logical/Systematic/Process Driven = 5
- Organised = 4 (depends on how much coffee I’ve had)
- Empathetic/Kind/Patient = 5 (except with printers, they can do one)
- Active/Adventurous = 4 (let’s not kid ourselves—I’m fabulous, but I also enjoy a sit-down)
- Self-Confident = 5 (I’m of an age when I no longer give a damn)
- Sociable = 3 (love people, but I’m also lazy about getting dressed up to go out)
- Extroverted = 3 (depends on the company and/or wine selection)
My Elevator Pitch
After more than half a century of absorbing life’s lessons like a well-worn sponge, I’d say essentially my best contribution is as an enabler and facilitator. I have a sharp eye for identifying challenges, I get a buzz from bringing people and ideas together, and have the ability to create clear, effective action plans. Think of me as a human Swiss Army knife—adaptable, practical, and always ready to find a solution. I thrive on problem-solving, collaboration, and making things happen with efficiency and focus. If there’s a challenge to tackle, a point to prove, or an opportunity to seize, I’ll roll up my sleeves and get stuck in.
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