“Don’t mistake being busy with making progress” Zoe Blackhall
Sum up your working life in 25 words or fewer.
20 plus years in supply chain and customer service across charities, packaging and fuel –
championing people, driving transformation and continuous improvement in both the UK and Europe.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Pragmatic. Determined. Curious.
What were your childhood / early ambitions?
I wanted to be a barrister. I even studied Law for a while – until I realised it was desperately boring. Absolutely nothing to do with my college being next to a pub, your honour!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To be in two places at once.
The best advice you’ve ever received?
You don’t value what you don’t pay for.
Your top tips for business success?
Communicate clearly; simplify everything; surround yourself with great people, and don’t mistake being busy with making progress.
What’s the last photo you took on your phone?
My two little daughters in their World Book Day outfits.
You can only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what is it?
Walkers tomato ketchup crisps or Coco Pops!
The best thing about your job?
Shaping strategy, solving problems and helping people grow, succeed, and deliver incredible things, when they’re supported, trusted, and empowered.
The quality that you most admire?
Integrity – I really value honesty and transparency.
What are you most likely to say?
Keep it simple and get it done!
What are you least likely to say?
Let’s just do it the way we’ve always done it.
Describe your perfect day.
A morning out doing something fun with my little family, a tasty roast dinner and a great F1 race.
Your favourite sports team?
McLaren Formula One – I love the precision and strategy of F1.
If you could be any fictional character, who and why?
Mary Poppins, endlessly capable, always prepared, and able to firmly restore order with a bit of magic and a smile.
Share your greatest personal achievement.
Being a mum to two adorable little girls and still holding down a career.
Share your pet hate or biggest irritant.
Lies.
What would your Mastermind specialist subject be?
Tim Burton Films.
If you were PM what would be the first law you’d pass?
Removing the tax on education.
If you had a time machine, would you go to the future or the past?
The past for sure, I’d go back and tell my dad about the beautiful granddaughters he never got to meet and see grow up.
What is number 1 on your bucket list?
Watching the Monaco Grand Prix from a big fancy yacht in the marina with a magnum of bubbly.
If you were Editor of Fuel Oil News magazine, what’s your first article?
How working with BoilerJuice makes you awesome!
What 3 things would you take to a desert island?
Bear Grylls, Gordon Ramsey and Wilson from Castaway.
Something about you people would be surprised by?
I’m a big fan of heavy metal music!
Image credit: Zoe Blackhall, Boilerjuice
