Did you enjoy school?
I went to boarding school and attending it from a young age was a transformative experience that instilled in me a deep sense of resilience. It taught me the importance of self-reliance and self-trust, enabling me to navigate challenging days with confidence. Although I often felt the pangs of homesickness, particularly on Sunday evenings when returning to school, I learned that such feelings were temporary. This understanding has carried over into my travels, where I now recognise that immersing myself in new experiences can alleviate the sense of longing for home.
The athletic programmes at school were particularly influential, allowing me to embrace my competitive spirit and learn the value of teamwork. These experiences were not only fulfilling but also instrumental in shaping my ability to collaborate effectively with others.
Overall, school served as an invaluable source of knowledge and personal growth for me in numerous ways. It provided a foundation for both my intellectual development and my emotional resilience, equipping me with skills and insights that continue to benefit me throughout my life.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Information Studies. After school, I went on to spend more than 20 years as a trusted advisor to large organisations on how to solve their cybersecurity challenges. I worked for Gemalto, IBM, and Microsoft before coming to BlueVoyant, so I have a deep understanding innovating new paths to market and creating change.
Has your career path been a smooth transition, a rocky road or a combination of both?
I’ve always thrived on risk. I see potential where others see failure, and I’m adept at turning setbacks into successes. I don’t just break things; I rebuild them stronger.
Pushing boundaries isn’t just a habit; it’s my mindset. I’ve learned to embrace discomfort like an old friend, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity. For me, starting something new isn’t about fear; it’s about transforming that fear into excitement.
What specific challenges do you see women facing in the industry?
Too often, many capable women don’t take risks, not because they lack the skills, but because of the fear of failure. Yet, they juggle, execute, and thrive just as well as men.
Women are natural nurturers, exceptional team builders, and powerful motivators. But here’s the issue: they don’t always put themselves first. Imagine if the fierce determination of a ‘tiger mum’ was fully unleashed in the workplace. The impact would be unstoppable!
What is the best career advice you can give to others?
Take a risk – what’s the worst that can happen? If it doesn’t work out, you can try again.
Also, if you choose to be part of a company, remember that it’s a two-way street. You’re not just being chosen; you’re choosing them too. It’s a partnership built on mutual value. So, trust yourself, own your decisions, and never let fear hold you back.
If you had to pick one mentor that had the biggest influence on you, who would it be?
I have had so many mentors at different stages of my career. The person who has had the biggest impact on me was Dr. Rob Ellis. He trusted me, gave me confidence and supported me with huge encouragement.
From where do you draw inspiration?
My parents are the biggest inspiration for me, albeit for different reasons. My mum has had four different careers – journalist, sheep farmer, bed and breakfast owner, and artist.
My father is the renowned Kings Council criminal barrister, Peter Joyce KC, who is still practicing on high-profile criminal cases, having trialled more than 300 murderers throughout his career. It’s fair to say that I get my work ethic and creativity from these two great people.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced to date?
Having my son three months premature and having sepsis has been my biggest challenge. We had a terrible time, but somehow, we got through it. I remember returning to work with a poorly baby at home, pushing forward despite the exhaustion.Looking back now, I wonder how I did it, but resilience has a way of revealing itself in the toughest moments.
What qualities do you feel makes a good leader?
Great leadership starts with listening and truly hearing your team. It’s about setting a clear vision, defining outcomes, and guiding with purpose.
However, it’s just as important to respect each other. A culture where everyone feels valued fosters collaboration, innovation, and, ultimately, success. And let’s not forget that work should be inspiring, challenging, and yes, even fun!
From a work viewpoint, what has the last 12 months been like?
Intense! It has been a full-on 12 months. I have rebuilt the EMEA team at BlueVoyant and grown the business by 70 percent, but it’s been hard work! It’s also been tremendous fun and working with my team is what makes it so rewarding.
What would you say are the biggest tech-based challenges we face today?
I think the biggest challenges are AI, geopolitics, and cybersecurity regulation. When it comes to cybersecurity, AI is being used by both attackers and defenders, so organisations need to learn to harness its powers, back by human-expertise to automate routine tasks and find the most critical issues. They also need to train employees against threats that AI is making more believable, like phishing. Geopolitics effects everything even cybersecurity, so organisations should know where their key suppliers and vendors are to know their full risk profile. The EU recently enacted new regulations with large fines for noncompliance, so any organisation that does business there needs to make sure they are complying. The UK and many other countries are expected to enact similar regulations.
What can be done to encourage more women into the industry?
We need to build awareness about the tech industry. To shape the future, we must start by showcasing the sector as a space where women belong and thrive, and will have opportunities.
By inspiring young minds from the outset, we can break stereotypes and open doors to a more diverse and innovative tech landscape. I don’t think we get it early enough when we are at school.
Give us a fact about you that most other people wouldn’t know.
I am addicted to listening to the BBC World Service and Radio 4. And my favourite podcast is the BBC’s Americast.
