How did you get into your business area?
I began my journey as a Store Manager at Swindon Outlet Village, and through dedication and a passion for the brand, I progressed to become Franchise Development Manager for Europe – a role that allowed me to support partners and drive growth across the region. I embraced the opportunity to relocate to Dubai with a similar role within the MENA regional team. This was an incredible opportunity to expand my experience (both personally and professionally) and gain a deeper understanding of our diverse, dynamic franchise business. Over my 10-year journey in EMENA team, I built strong, trusted relationships with our partners and colleagues and developed a comprehensive overview of the business – from its commercial strengths to the challenges we face globally. A year ago, the Global Centre of Excellence team was established to support retail teams and codify retail globally. This felt like a natural step to continue to grow my career, giving me the opportunity to apply my regional experience at strategic level whilst helping shape a more consistent and elevated retail experience for customers, partners and teams worldwide.
What motivates you?
What really drives me is that sense of progress – ticking things off, making things happen, and knowing I am moving forward. But even more than this, I love helping others achieve the same. Whether it is opening doors, guiding someone toward their goals, or cheering them on in their career, nothing beats the feeling of playing a part in someone else’s success. This is what really motivates me.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is stepping into my current role, where I have the opportunity to channel years of experience and deep brand knowledge into shaping something bigger; helping to drive global transformation, build consistency, and raise the bar for how we do retail across markets. Being in a position where I can influence change, support teams, and contribute to the long-term success of the business feels incredibly fulfilling. But equally, I am proud of the personal journey behind it. Relocating to another country with my family (especially when our life was fully rooted in the UK) was a bold move. It meant stepping out of our comfort zone, taking risks, and rebuilding everything from scratch. Making that transition a success for all of us, whilst continuing to grow professionally, has been one of the most defining and rewarding chapters of my life.
What the most important risk you’ve ever taken and why?
The most important risk I have ever taken was relocating with my young family to a completely new country halfway across the world to take on a regional role. At the time, our life in the UK was well-established (careers, schools, a strong support network, etc.), so choosing to start over somewhere new was not easy. However, I knew the opportunity would stretch me both professionally and personally. It gave me exposure to a new region, new ways of working, and a much broader understanding of the business. Looking back, it was a pivotal moment that pushed me out of my comfort zone and set the stage for the career I have today.
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career and what did you learn from it?
Early in my career, I felt the pressure to have all the answers and tried to take everything on myself. I thought being capable meant doing it all alone, but I quickly learnt that collaboration, asking for help, and leveraging the strengths of others is not a weakness, it is a strength. Since then, I have learnt to lead more openly, build stronger teams, and create space for others to shine. It has made me a better colleague, a better leader, and much more effective in delivering results.
What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you have got to/ How did you get into your current role?
There is no single secret. It has been a combination of hard work, curiosity, a strong support network (both at home and at work), and a genuine passion for what I do. I have always been driven by making a positive impact, building meaningful relationships, and staying closely connected to the day-to-day reality of the business. I also strive to leave a lasting, positive impression on the people I work with, and I believe that consistency, authenticity, and trust have helped open doors and shape the path I am on today.
I moved into my current role internally after spending many years supporting partners in Europe and MENA. It wasn’t always a straight path, but I have stayed open to new opportunities, embraced continuous learning, and leaned into the challenges that pushed me to grow. I was lucky to have some great leaders who believed in me, gave me honest feedback, and championed my development. Their support made a huge difference.
What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?
The best career decision I have ever made was choosing to build an international career. Working across cultures has not only broadened my perspective but also deepened my understanding of people, business, and leadership. It has taught me how to adapt, communicate more effectively, and find common ground in diverse environments/situations – skills that have been invaluable both personally and professionally.
If you have moved across the system or stores/support centre/location how has this evolved your career/broaden you knowledge within your business area?
When I am working on a task, I am now able to consider the wider context and interdependencies, as well as the pressures, influences, needs, and requirements of other teams across the business. This broader understanding has helped me adapt my mindset and approach to deliver more effective, long-lasting solutions. It has also meant I have built strong connections across the organisation, which often helps unlock doors, speed up collaboration, and get things done more efficiently.
What advice would you give someone else considering starting a new role or looking for their next opportunity?
Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready – growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Be confident in your abilities, even when things feel uncertain. Stay curious, take risks, and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you on your journey. Most importantly, do what excites you. When you are passionate about your work, it shows, and opportunities will follow.
What are you currently excited about in your role?
Being part of the Global Centre of Excellence has truly been a game-changer. It has given me the opportunity to collaborate across regions, influence global retail strategy, and help shape the future of how we deliver retail excellence at scale. It is not just about driving performance; it is about transforming the way we think, work, and lead as a global brand. It is an incredibly exciting space to be in, and even with everything achieved so far, I genuinely feel like this is just the beginning of an even bigger journey.
