By far the hardest question in interview has been ‘Are you a good person?’

What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?

Sorting out hundreds of car park leases during my real estate seat late one night only to peer out of Exchange House to the building across from me to see a sign posted in the window saying “Go Home”. That made an otherwise very thankless task very funny!

Tell us about a sliding doors moment when your career could have gone in an entirely different direction?

My sliding door moment was getting corporate projects as my allocation on qualification. I had my heart set somewhat on public law and becoming a solicitor advocate. But here I am, a project finance lawyer by background now, leading a team that works on really compelling finance transactions that will positively influence the UK’s transition to net zero, steeped in public law considerations. You never know how it is going to work out!

What’s the hardest question you’ve ever been asked at interview, and how did you answer?

By far the hardest question in interview has been “Are you a good person?”. What a question? This threw me as it brings your whole moral being into question when you are actually primed to say how clever you are or what a great leader you are. How do you answer that? Being a lawyer I gave a suitable humble and qualified answer. In the end I said with some confidence that I am “kind”. Which is true. I think… !

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?

Focus on being technically great at what you do first. Do you rate your ability? Then make life easier for those who depend on you. Earlier in your career you are generally enabling others or your firm to succeed. This rarely goes unnoticed. Once you can do that, articulate your ambition to those around you with humility and then never miss an opportunity to suggest that you are the right person for the role that has come up or that there should be a role that you would be perfect for. Your sponsors who you have helped along the way will step in for you.  The two roles I had prior to this one  (Director of Legal & Compliance AND Director of Strategy, Policy and Climate Change) did not exist until I suggested them! This does not work at all though if the initial substance has not been built up with some patience and resilience!

Tell us about ONE former colleague who you miss, and why? (It doesn’t have to be a lawyer)

I miss most an executive assistant at a law firm who took me under her wing when I was a junior lawyer. She taught me much of what I know about dealing with people at work, taught me how to face the tough ones and kept me right when I needed to know what was important!