I started my career in private legal practice back in 1999 before joining the Treasury Solicitor/Government Legal Department for a number of years. I then gained around 10 years’ experience working as a senior lawyer at the then FSA and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) before joining 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square chambers.
I am a passionate advocate of the benefits of a diverse workforce and whilst at the FCA I co-chaired the Authority’s Gender Balance Network. I firmly believe in role modelling, mentoring and changing culture from the top and that small, incremental changes across a workplace can lead to larger, systemic changes.
I am also a firm believer in being allies to each other, men and women, and that we should provide challenge on behalf of others when we witness inequality in the workplace.
I feel it is vital as a more senior female to keep the ladder down for younger women who are starting out or are early on in their careers. The key is not only keeping the ladder down and showing kindness, support and giving guidance but also ensuring that the bottom rung is not damaged or broken. We all have that responsibility.
The Suffragette’s motto was “Deeds not Words” and I prefer to see diversity in action and ingrained in the culture of a workplace rather than just enshrined in paper policies.
I am married with two sons who are mixed heritage (English-Indian) and I have Polish, French and Austrian Jewish family origins.