The business woman I most admire is Mary Portas because what you see is what you get.

To juggle my work-life balance I set myself rewards on the calendar and make plans to ensure that I can fulfil them.

My biggest career break was to have my daughter. I six months off work on maternity leave. With my son, however, I chose to take only six weeks.

The biggest influence on my career was being given the opportunity to get my masters degree in my late 30s by my then employer.

One thing that makes me mad in business today is people who take credit for other people’s work or don’t properly share the credit.

Boardroom quotas are necessary or nuts? Nuts – we should reward on merit alone. It’s the opportunity to get on the board that is the difficult wall to break down.

My one tip on negotiating a pay rise is don’t undersell yourself.

In five years I see myself having the same fun as I am now – maybe in a different guise, but nonetheless working in some form or another.

My number one piece of advice to young women starting their careers is keep driving forward – never stay still and never give up.

My favourite wind down activity is playing bridge.

The last book I read was by Elizabeth George – pure escapism.

The one thing I can’t live without…gosh that’s difficult: probably a gin and ginger beer at the end of a long day!