Celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) at Roundpeg.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a significant occasion for me and for Roundpeg. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements across all aspects of life, not just in business. Often, women rarely take time to acknowledge our own successes and IWD provides a collective moment for us all to come together and recognise our accomplishments. At Roundpeg, co-owned by Adam Timmis and myself, we make joint decisions and share a unified vision for the future, emphasising the importance of collaboration.

My journey to become Director of Roundpeg began unexpectedly in 2019 when I parted ways with my previous company. Facing a crossroads and mindful of my age, I received several job offers but felt it was the right moment to venture out on my own. My inspiration was to create something meaningful, a legacy that my granddaughters could be proud of.

Throughout my career, starting from my early days in catering during the 1980s, I’ve often found myself in male-dominated environments. In the “shed world,” for instance, despite my knowledge with tools and materials, I sometimes experience being overlooked in meetings and exhibitions when accompanied by male colleagues. To overcome this, I make a point to engage actively in conversations, introduce myself confidently, and maintain a positive demeanour with a smile on my face, even when at times it can be challenging.

Thankfully, over the years, I’ve observed significant progress for women in business. Platforms like LinkedIn and various networking events highlight the increasing involvement of women in decision-making roles. However, there is still work to be done to achieve true equality across all industries and regions.

Personally, my mother has always been a profound inspiration, always encouraging me to look forward and not dwell on the past. Additionally, reading Ellen MacArthur’s account of her record-breaking solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2005 showed me that being a woman doesn’t limit one’s ability to achieve extraordinary feats.