Please give your career history in 25 words or fewer.
I started my career in 2006, straight from university, taking the opportunity to start up a sales department for an oil company. Two years ago, I took on a new challenge by jumping from sales to procurement at New Era Energy, which I am absolutely loving!
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Ambitious. Reliable. Dedicated.
What were your childhood / early ambitions?
I always wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and qualify as an accountant.
Describe your dream job (if you weren’t doing this?)
To own a dessert shop!
Which is most important – ambition or talent?
Ambition, for sure! You obviously need talent, but ambition is what will get you to your goals.
Share your top tips for business success.
Dream big, and always keep in mind the bigger picture.
What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?
Not sure if it’s the best one I have heard, but this one makes me laugh:
What does Father Christmas do when his elves misbehave?
He gives them the sack!
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Choose a job you love and enjoy, which, in turn, will mean you won’t feel like you’re working…
What is your most recent business achievement of note?
Having the opportunity to become a procurement director for New Era Energy.
What’s your favourite Christmas song?
It has to be the classic – ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You!’ (you know when this comes on the radio, Christmas is coming)!
What’s the best thing about your job?
Staying in the industry means I have been able to continue building on the relationships I have formed for a long time. I also have a fantastic team that I work with.
Share your greatest personal achievement…
My two amazing girls. I’m a very proud mum!
What are you most likely to say?
Never say never…
What are you least likely to say?
I cannot do this (as I will always work to find a solution!)
Cheese or chocolate?
Love a cheese board!
Describe your perfect day.
Spending quality time with my girls – preferably somewhere hot and by a pool, with a cocktail in my hand!
What will you be eating on Christmas Day?
As I’m a pescatarian, it’s no meat for me, but I do enjoy cooking so I normally make chicken for the family and a mushroom Wellington for myself.
Do you have a favourite sports team?
India cricket team and England football team.
What’s the biggest challenge of our time?
Climate change…
Which is the quality that you most admire?
Humbleness.
What’s your pet hate or biggest irritant?
• People who talk or ask questions during a good TV series or film.
• Those that drive 20mph on a 50mph road – mainly because I am always running late or rushing!
What’s your favourite thing that is associated with Christmas?
Watching my youngest in panto – something she has been doing for a few years, always a highlight.
If your 20-year-old self saw you now what would they think?
She didn’t do too bad for herself!
What is number 1 on your bucket list?
To stay in a glass igloo and watch the Northern Lights.
What’s your favourite Christmas film?
Absolutely love a chick flick, so has to be ‘Love Actually’ or watching ‘Home Alone’ with my girls.
What 3 things would you take to a desert island?
• A big box of matches
• A net
• A hammock
I’m resolutely practical!
Tell us something about you that people would be very surprised by…
That I bake celebration cakes, and have an Instagram page for this – it is a hidden talent that I discovered during lockdown.
Are you a snow lover or a snow hater?
Definitely a snow lover, as it looks so pretty – until it goes all icy – and at that point, I absolutely hate it!
Image provided by Dixie Patel
