What’s your business background and how long have you been in business?
My dad has been a strong influence, as he always had his own business and has been quite the entrepreneur. He taught me early on about both the advantages and challenges of working for yourself. I am the co-owner and director of Pool Heat, which supplies and maintains swimming pool environmental systems throughout the UK. We deal with commercial and private pool owners, local authorities and swimming pool installers. It is a niche business that my husband and I set up during the recession more than 15 years ago.
How did you get involved with Women in Business?
I got invited to a Women in Business event by a friend of mine. It was the Women of Achievement Awards 2013. It was my first-ever business event and it blew me away and totally inspired me. I signed up to be a member the same day and joined the committee shortly afterwards. I attended almost every event for over a decade thereafter. I ended up becoming the chairman, which lasted for three years, which is unprecedented and was all totally unexpected.
I have just hosted and organised the WoAA Awards 2022. We had Gloria Hunniford as our guest speaker – she was rather cheeky and very entertaining – incredible winners, fantastic sponsors, 400 guests and a committee that I have come to cherish. I was blown away all over again… puff!
What do you like most about organising events?
I love bringing people together, helping them feel relaxed, happy, connected and seeing them flourish. Seeing what people or their businesses need and helping them find that key component right there in the room is amazing. The more people, venues or businesses you know, the more people you can help.
Every person or business has their part to play at creating a symbiotic relationship, which creates a positive impact on local businesses, and that in turn affects the whole business community, local economy, and so on.
I’m a very creative, practical person who likes organising and I’m buzzing with ideas. It’s a dream job for me. It’s like creating a fun puzzle – you put the pieces together to create a great time and experience for everyone. Plus, you know it’s going to help people too.
You’re coming on board as BW’s events managing director – what are you looking forward to about the role?
I’m looking forward to creating some fabulous events that people will enjoy and have new experiences they will never forget. I want to do something different and have some real fun, be a little daring, perhaps experimental and most importantly connect businesses and people together all while enjoying themselves.
I’ve met some of the BW team and they are a great group of people whom I’m really looking to working with in my new chapter.
Time is so precious, and people are so very busy; it’s so easy to email, text and communicate virtually now. Business events and networking play a major role in maintaining our personal interactions, which are vital for our wellbeing.
I intend to create some business events and opportunities that will encourage the workaholics and networking-phobes out there to change their mindsets. We will be inclusive, friendly and forward-thinking, perhaps even experimental, but we will have fun developing a new community together.
What are the biggest challenges when putting events together?
You can organise everything to perfection, but it’s a live performance, isn’t it? Plus, everyone is watching, maybe even recording! There will always be some improvisation and issues on the day. Adaptability and a cool head are key.
You’re a very busy person – if you get any free time, how do you like to spend it?
My girls poke fun at me about how busy I am, but they know that’s how I like to be. My spare time is for my family and friends. I am very lucky, as we are all very close. We enjoy the theatre, games, cinema, crafts and we are all foodies! I’m in a fun choir, too – singing releases the endorphins, you know.
My husband and I are renovating a chapel, which takes up a lot of our spare time as we have done much of the work ourselves. Fortunately, we enjoy a challenge and knocking down walls is rather therapeutic!
