25 years and an inspiring world of change

25 years ago this week, I walked into PwC’s offices on my first day at work. As a shy, quiet graduate from a council estate I felt nervous and overawed by the glamorous building and daunted by the other new graduates who seemed far more confident and worldly. I also felt privileged and slightly amazed to have the opportunity to join such a fantastic firm. Today, over a quarter of a century later, while the feeling of privilege stays, the nerves have been replaced with a sense of excitement about what the future holds.?

Reflecting on my 25 years, I’m struck by how fortunate I’ve been.? I never thought I’d still be here. I'd assumed having completed my accounting qualification the next move would be to? head into industry. But the reason why I’ve stayed is because of the opportunities to support clients in two vastly different industries (financial services and the public sector), and because of the skills and training that have meant I’ve been an auditor, an adviser, a risk management specialist and a people leader. These roles have enabled me to work with clients in ten different countries on four continents and in seven different London offices. These experiences have been rewarding and interesting but I can honestly say that on each and every day, I’ve been inspired by my firm, by my clients and by the people I work with.?

Having spent over half my life working at PwC, it has inevitably become a large part of my life. As such, so many world events are remembered through a work lens. These include seeing people queuing to sign condolence books for Princess Diana whilst I worked on a local council audit. I remember calling my team from holiday on September 11, 2001 to check in to see how they were, as we collectively tried to process the shocking news. I remember being glued to my computer to see if we had won the bid for the 2012 Olympics and then ringing to check in with one of my clients the day after as their building was close to the site of one of the 2005 London bombs. In January 2009, I remember sitting in the car park of a training centre where I’d just been on a new partner course, moved to tears as I listened to Barack Obama’s first inauguration speech hoping that he was a leader who could make a difference in the world. I also remember how different London felt during that heady Olympic summer of 2012, when everything seemed perfect. In all these situations I’ve felt the camaraderie and support of work colleagues as we've sought to make sense of world events together. And of course, walking out of our offices in March 2020 to start working from home in the light of the pandemic is something never to be forgotten, as is rushing back with a smile on my face as soon as we were able to.?

As well as living through major world events, a lot has changed in 25 years. The world of work has changed enormously - it is far more technology enabled. It is so much more inclusive. And it is focused on social purpose in a way that inspires me.?

Looking back, when I started my career, we didn’t use computers and didn’t have mobile phones. We used pen and paper which meant we had to carry very large briefcases around all the time with all of our work. Now, everything I need to do I can do on my mobile phone. In one sense, this makes my working life much easier. But it also means that we rarely feel that we are ‘away from work’.?

It’s so positive to see that inclusion has been a key focus for us as a society and a firm over the last few years and things are improving, but my goodness we still have a way to go. When I joined, I was very lucky to have an inspiring female partner in my team, who had interviewed me for my role. I therefore never doubted that a woman could become a partner, despite there being so few across the firm at that time. I have, however, often felt different and have found it hard at times to make the impact that I would like to because of that difference. I’m hopeful that those joining our firm now are much better placed to be able to flourish by being themselves.?

I have always felt guided by a personal purpose. It is part of why I joined the firm to support government and public sector clients, having been brought up by my wonderful parents who both worked in the public sector. Increasingly, society as a whole is more focused on purpose, on making our world a better place for all. Businesses, including my own firm, have embraced this. And I love how this is driving what we do every day.?

Along with the world, I have also changed over the last 25 years (and not just in the wrinkles that look back at me when I look in the mirror!). I’ve learnt a huge amount from my career and the inspiring people around me:

• the importance of asking for help and support when I need it. My experience is that people are always so willing to provide this but are not always able to identify when I need it, unless I tell them. I now know I can achieve so much more with support than I can on my own, however hard I find it to ask for that help. Because I find it hard to ask for help, I’ve applied that understanding to others. If I sense that someone else is struggling or needs support, I try to check in and make sure they are ok. A simple ‘are you ok?’ and a follow up ‘are you sure?’ when they respond with the standard ‘yes, I’m fine thanks’ can often lead to conversations that can help someone when they need it.?
• to be proud to be myself and the fact I’m different. I know what I’m good at and what I’m bad at. I try to find roles that allow me to play to those strengths and I try to improve myself so that I can achieve as much as possible.?
• to enjoy being at the edge of my comfort zone, to challenge myself to do things that scare me. I used to shake with nerves at the thought of ringing a client, or talking to a group of people or voicing an opinion in a group. I’m still a quieter member of any group that I’m in but I’m comfortable to speak and share my opinions. And, whilst I’ll never be a fantastic public speaker, I can now do this without my legs and voice shaking. By challenging myself in all areas of my life (something that I’m passionate about with my running and mountaineering adventures), I believe I’ve become a better and stronger person, in and outside of work.

The most important lesson I’ve learnt is to be true to myself. However much I love my career, I know a day will come when I hand in my laptop and pass and walk out into a brave new world. Hopefully I will have left a positive impact but the reality is that our teams and our business will go on to ever greater things without us. I want to leave knowing that I’ve been ‘me’ - that I’ve acted with integrity and have been the best version of myself that I can be. However, that time isn’t here yet.

I want to end with upbeat comments as there are two things that have given me the most pleasure from the last 25 years. Firstly, I have made lifelong friends who I love and who provide me with support and inspiration and that is what matters to me more than anything else. Secondly, I hope those people who have known me over this time? would say that I haven’t fundamentally changed who I am (apart from, perhaps, wearing better shoes!). I’ve stayed true to my values and my personal sense of purpose.?

When I walked into the office 25 years ago, if I’d been able to look ahead and see the working life that I have now, surrounded by inspirational people, challenged each day and driven by purpose, I would have been very excited. And that is how I feel today. The future is an exciting one and I look forward to playing my part.?