My story
During the financial crisis of 2009 I moved to Andalusia. I didn't speak a word of Spanish. Initially cultural integration and the language barrier were deeply challenging. I lost count of the times I wanted to get on the next flight home. However, I had promised myself I wouldn’t leave Seville until I was totally fluent.
A few years later, I was frequently mistaken for a local. I worked in the HR department of one of the biggest FMCG companies in Spain as one of five non-native speakers out of a workforce of 800. I helped the CEO prepare for international business meetings. I was asked to be a simultaneous translator at a company-wide conference so our UK-based colleagues would understand the presentations given by senior leadership.
My career in HR spans fine art, finance, FMCG, and law - from organisations with a headcount of 4 to others of 5000. I have worked across geographies and understand the challenges (and great rewards) of building relationships across difference. My experience covers talent acquisition and development, performance management, wellbeing, and DE&I, most recently at US law firms.
I hold a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Organisational Analysis from King’s College London. As an Executive Coach, I am accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). I recently trained as a Systemic Team Coach, certified by Professor Peter Hawkins in partnership with the Academy of Executive Coaching. I am a qualified EQ-i.20/360, VoicePrint, and Team Connect 360 practitioner. I am also a Mental Health First Aider and Board Trustee for the mental health charity Mind.