Introduction

Following 7 years in the Military I found myself without direction or a clear path for the future. I had recently moved to the UK from the USA and had to start again, with no formal qualifications or business experience. Within 18 months I started a temporary role in Commercial Procurement and 26 years later I am a senior leader within the Government Commercial Organisation. I am a CIPS Fellow with Charted Status and an active mentor with the EY Foundation and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. My professional experience covers career and employability coaching and mentoring, starting and managing my own small business for 13 years as a Procurement Consultant, and working in roles cutting across Category Management, Project Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Complex Commercial Negotiation, Outsourcing, and Leading & Managing Teams.