Leaving Cassidian as the CEO and
then immediately take up a totally domestic and caring role was a big shock to
my system. Since April 9th I have absolutely prioritized my family
for the first time in a long time.
Working for a large global corporation whilst rewarding in many ways is
also very demanding. I was very lucky in
that Caroline understood the demands, the rewards and most importantly
possessed a strong work ethic herself.
Whilst I would never have chosen
the circumstances that brought me here I feel hugely privileged to have spent
some quality time with Caroline and with my two children over the past 8
months.
However, the time has arrived
where I need to return to work. You can
only have so much daytime TV in one life.
As much as I love “Homes Under the Hammer” and “Good Morning” with Holly
and Phil, its time to leave them and re-engage with the rest of society.
As every single parent with
children at school knows there are many hurdles and considerations that need to
be overcome and dealt with. When looking
at the work life triangle, me – family – work, my priority has to be my
family. Georgina although doing very
well at Cardiff University still has some settling down to achieve. Joe is now in his most important year at
school and will be doing his A levels in May.
If he works hard then he will have his own settling to do at University
next year. I also have to come to terms
with my own circumstances including seeing more of my friends and family.
With these hurdles and
considerations in mind for the immediate future would mean any potential role would
have to lean more towards a lifestyle choice and probably be on a freelance
basis. The major benefits to this way of
working are many. I am able to investigate a variety of opportunities; talk to
very different and interesting people; and have to rely on my own skills. My first step was to set up my company named “TWU Ltd” as in “This Way Up”.
I have been very fortunate in
that I have either been recommended to companies or past colleagues have looked
me up. Without going into too much detail
at this point the option that fits my lifestyle balance best at the present
time is to join FD Centre (FD as in Finance Director).
FDC have asked me to join them as
Regional Director for South Wales, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. FDC is a service provision company for high
caliber financial professionals. The
company is growing rapidly across the country and has a very mature business
model. I have been really impressed by
the quality of the management and ethos of the Company. So all you Cassidian lot, just when you
thought it was safe, I will be back across the Severn Bridge.
I am also looking at other
business opportunities that will broaden my portfolio but that will come
later. Whether I will be successful at
this totally new way of working remains to be seen but I’m going to give it a go!
Thanks to everyone for your
support and best wishes. “Bring it on!
