My role at Shawbrook is broad, including product and proposition, but essentially I develop the sales strategy with our internal and external relationship managers who support our broker partners, and deliver on the wider growth plans for the Property Division.

This is made a lot easier as I’m very lucky to have a brilliant team that are passionate about our brokers, their customers and the markets we serve.

The mortgage industry suffered considerably as a result of restrictions in place due to Covid-19. What do you believe are the main lessons to be taken from the fallout of lockdown?

We have all had to adapt our working day to some degree, but overall our industry has proven incredibly resilient.

Brokers and some lenders have really stepped up and proved we can be innovative at speed when we need to.

For me, the main lesson is to not lose the momentum for change, driven by pushing forward rather than surviving. Who knows what will happen in the near future? But we need to be relentless in finding ways to keep the wheels turning.

What message would you like to send to brokers about Shawbrook as a lender?

We are a lender you can trust. We truly understand and value the role of the broker.

We have built our business around serving our broker partners and their customers. We are passionate about what we do and we recognise that our success is down to our brokers’ success. This success is born out of being expert in the markets we serve and working closely with our brokers on finding the right solutions for their customers.

When others had to step back, we stepped up, and we will continue to be there for our brokers in the markets we serve, whatever challenges may lay ahead.

What is the best part of your job?

The variety… no two days are ever the same. I love that I get to talk to lots of people throughout the day for all sorts of reasons but usually to work out a solution to a problem or to spot new lending opportunities. The best part is when my team receive great feedback from our brokers and customers.

As a woman working in the finance industry, do you feel there is equality in the sector?

I have worked in finance for more than 20 years and have seen a great deal of change. We are definitely heading in the right direction but there is still some way to go.

While women are more visible, that doesn’t mean they have access to the same opportunities as men. There is still a gender gap in senior management roles and at exec level. However, the one thing I am particularly encouraged by is the increasing number of women setting up on their own.

If you had not chosen this career path, what other professions appealed to you?

I have considered a few over the years, including teaching, journalism and architecture. However, if I had to pick an alternative career it would be something totally different, like music or theatre production.

If you were chancellor for a day, what would you prioritise?

I don’t envy the chancellor right now but, if it was me, I would keep pumping funding out to SMEs to keep business trading, with the view to help reduce rising unemployment.

This would be followed by extending the stamp duty holiday to help stabilise the property market.

Do you have any secret talents?

I love music and can play a few instruments… albeit I’m a bit rusty these days.

Who is your all-time hero and why?

I have a few but if I had to pick one it would be Sir David Attenborough. An obvious choice perhaps, but I am truly in awe of his lifelong commitment to saving the planet and humanity. He has this ability to captivate the young and the old, and deliver a serious message but with a sense of hope.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

You have two ears and one mouth. Use them accordingly.