How did you start your career in Maritime?

I was working at the time for a large cruise line company in the UK overseeing their facilities operation when the opportunity arose to take on a completely different role within the marine team. I was ready for a career change, but at that point was considering going back into teaching.  In my new role as Safety and Compliance Officer responsible for the safety compliance of 17 UK based vessels, I was able to transfer my skills managing land-based facilities to a ship-based role. Within that role I was also responsible for the management of the UK and International Cadet Training Programme. It was that aspect of my role that stimulated my passion for the development and delivery of seafarer training and education.

What do you love about your job?

In my current role as Director of the Merchant Navy Training Board, I am fortunate enough to work with an incredible group of experienced, knowledgeable professionals across different maritime sectors who are also passionate about maritime training and education.  My mission is to encourage more women to take the step into our maritime world by promoting the benefits, highlighting the challenges and sharing the success stories.  We are fortunate to have many women Ambassadors working tirelessly to promote our industry at school career fairs, college open days and through careers advisors all over the UK to raise the profile of careers at sea as a viable career choice for women, but we need to do more! Diversity and inclusion are high on the agenda for all sectors of our industry,  and we will continue to address the challenges women experience in a predominantly male-oriented industry to ensure they can be equally represented.

Who was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?

By far the most supportive mentor I had was a senior leader I reported to during part of my time at Royal Caribbean.   This individual gave me so many wonderful opportunities on the back of their belief in my ability. I retrained, studied in my own time, shadowed people who had a huge amount of experience and basically did everything I could to be the best I could be. In a man’s world it’s a challenge as a woman to be taken seriously, especially as a women who started her career in a totally different industry. With the right support and a great deal of determination I truly believe I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to.

What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?

Spending time voluntarily as an observer watching maritime professionals doing their jobs in all parts of the sector over the last 11 years has given me insight into the challenges each and every one of them faces on a day-to-day basis. I’ve learnt and continue to learn so much from these experiences.

If you could go back in time to give one piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self , what would it be?

Never allow people to make you question your ability. I truly believe your value does not decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.

My son’s headmistress made a speech to the new year group at his school some years ago and what she said has stayed with me ever since.

“Don’t go where the path may lead you, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”......(Ralph Waldo Emerson)  

what great advice to give a young person starting out on their career journey!

What is your personal motto?
“No such word as can’t, only won’t”!