When I was younger, I leaned towards computing and maths, so it’s probably not too much of a surprise that I’m now in a tech-related field.
I’d studied computing with business studies at university, and when the careers ‘milk-round’ came along, I knew coding wasn’t where my future lay, but that business and technology could be.
A series of applications, no fewer than 20 interviews (each with different companies!) later, I was offered a graduate position in technology consultancy with Andersen Consulting, the business we now know as Accenture.
Beyond that role, I never had a grand career plan, and I really did let my work-life navigate itself in the belief that I would naturally follow the right path.
With large organisations, though, you get to a point where you must decide if you want to devote the next chunk of your career to them or move on.
I had an entrepreneurial desire – and had it for some time – and I knew I’d never be able to fulfil that in a large corporate, so I took the plunge and left.
That entrepreneurial desire initially saw me buy into a franchise in home cleaning – it was to be a complete change and a business I’d build.
‘I wish I’d realised I didn’t need to be a workaholic in order to succeed’
However, a gut instinct early on brought me to a place not to pursue this, as technology was at the heart of everything I knew.
I made the decision to back-out before starting – and I now look back on it as one of the best decisions I’ve made.
With few options, I became a freelancer, called an old contact, and I went back to Accenture, contracting as a project manager.
It was there I met Neville Roberts – now a life-long friend – who I would go on to co-found and build a FinTech with. And it was from there I founded BrightBox where I am CEO today.
While building the two companies I have had moments in those periods that have been extremely tough and pushed me well beyond my comfort zone, both mentally and emotionally.
However, each time, when I have come out the other side, I have learned more about where my boundaries are and what makes me tick as a person.
As cliché as it may sound, I am always learning. Every day and every week there is a new challenge or a new take on a challenge that I haven’t experienced before that needs navigating through.
If I was to go back and give my 21-year-old self one piece of advice, it would be to really keep your eyes open, look for opportunity and take it.
Quite often opportunities will come along, and you don’t notice them. Grabbing them and jumping in feet first when you see them is important, but it’s something I’ve not realised until the latter part of my career. Even if it doesn’t work out, you will know so much more about what do and don’t want to do.
Also, don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. At the time it will feel tough and it will test you, but once you have navigated out the other side you will more than likely look back on it as a defining time in your life.
Whether 21-year-old me would listen is another matter entirely!
Outside of work, family is my biggest focus. You can become so engrossed with work during the week, it’s really important to break that at the weekend. And it’s something I’m committed to doing.
I also lose myself in cycling, snowboarding (with some of my oldest friends) and most importantly Lego!
I spend all week at a laptop typing or on video calls, and so there is a real desire to do something practical when I am not working. I love getting outside on those crisp sunny mornings on a bike, and I love getting lost in a good Lego set.