Did you enjoy school?
Yes, I loved school! I was fortunate enough to attend a beautiful boarding school, and whilst it was hard to be away from family, it helped to make me the strong and independent woman I am today. I have always placed a huge amount of value on education and in the past few years I have been back to study for further personal development.
I am genuinely passionate about learning, developing skills, and promoting the importance of continuous learning and development as part of my role at Sparta Global. In our industry, technology, this isn’t just important but critical. If people don’t keep up with the pace of change in technology – they’ll fall behind.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a BA and Masters degree in Economics, an MBA in Finance & Organisational Behaviour, and have completed courses for the IoD in Coaching, Corporate & Board Governance, and Executive programmes at both The Wharton school in HR Management and Analytics, and DEI Strategies for Business at the University of Cambridge.
Has your career path been a smooth transition, a rocky road or a combination of both?
I would say it has been a combination of both, and by that description – pretty normal!
I have been working at Sparta Global for almost eight years and was with my previous employer for almost 16 years. I am not somebody who has ever wanted to jump from company to company, if I find an employer that aligns with my vision and purpose then I will be a committed member of the team. That being said, it can be difficult to progress in organisations that you have been a part of for a long time and to really stand out when there are constant new faces coming in. This has been challenging for me to manage in the past.
What specific challenges do you see women facing in the industry?
I think the biggest challenge for women in the industry is progression – being recognised and promoted into leadership roles in what still remains a male dominated field.
I worked for an organisation where the senior management team was dominated by white men. I had tried to broach the subject of equality, diversity and inclusion and why it was important for our business to consider EDI strategies – but I was shot down. I was accused of trying to use EDI to position an argument for being promoted and it was a shocking experience. It seemed that women were expected to not pursue progression, to be happy with the cards they had been dealt, and should they speak up about business strategy – they would not be listened to. It was then that I knew it was time to seek a new role, and one that would not make me feel that way again.
What is the best career advice you can give to others?
There is no shortcut to success – work hard, work well, and be diligent.
We all want instant gratification when it comes to work and it can be really tough to stay motivated sometimes, but I promise that hard work is always rewarded. If you aren’t being given the credit you deserve, find a role or company that will give you that. Just know that good things will come your way if you make the effort.
If you had to pick one mentor that had the biggest influence on you, who would it be?
I have had so many different leaders, managers, and mentors in my career who have taught me different things. I struggle to pick one person because it really does take a village!
From some its good leadership, from others empathy, and from some, I learnt how not to lead. Every day is a learning opportunity and sometimes this comes from your junior employees and direct reports as well.
From where do you draw inspiration?
My children – always. I have three children; my eldest daughter is coming to the end of University and my twin girls are just about to finish school. They make me want to work harder and provide the best for them every day, and it is what has driven me to work hard.
Raising three young women, I want to show them that you can have a family, have a corporate career, and be a leader, despite the obstacles and challenges.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced to date?
Being a leader in any industry or profession is going to come with difficulty and I have certainly faced challenges in the past when it comes to what is necessary versus what you want.
In one role I had my entire team removed from my oversight, without my knowledge, and without any opportunity to contest. It was difficult to see a high-performing team I had nurtured be passed on to a new employee with a limited understanding of the business model and the teams’ personal strengths. Whilst the new hire ultimately left and the team was returned to my management, it was a big challenge to relinquish control and sit back. The experience taught me that my contributions matter and that my leadership is pivotal. I should fight to protect the teams I invest my time in.
What qualities do you feel makes a good leader?
I am an incredibly driven person and this comes across at work through my willingness to support any team, project, or person who needs it. I do not have any apprehensions to go outside of the parameters of my role if my help is needed. I am also willing to admit that sometimes I can struggle with the work/life balance and give too much! Ultimately, I think this also makes me a good leader – I am honest, empathetic and want to make sure that people prioritise their wellbeing in the workplace.
From a work viewpoint, what has the last 12 months been like?
The past twelve months have been inconsistent for a lot of UK businesses. The Covid pandemic, economic downturn, and the increase in offshore hiring have all impacted us, but this year we are already seeing a significant uptick in the investment from organisations in their emerging talent workforce and technology capabilities. I am excited for the year ahead.
What would you say are the biggest tech-based challenges we face today?
One of the biggest tech challenges we face today is balancing AI advancement with security, ethics, and regulation. While AI is transforming industries, it also introduces risks such as bias, misinformation, job displacement, and cybersecurity threats. Ensuring AI systems are secure, fair, and aligned with human values – while keeping up with rapid innovation – requires collaboration between governments, businesses, and researchers.
What can be done to encourage more women into the industry?
To get more women in tech, we need to increase access to STEM education, promote inclusive hiring, provide mentorship and career support, and foster a culture that values diversity. Encouraging young girls through role models, scholarships, and early exposure to tech can also help close the gender gap.
Give us a fact about you that most other people wouldn’t know.
In a past life I was an actress in India. I did three films and a couple of tv series!
