I am a businesswoman, wife, mother and daughter, but not always in that order.
After graduating with a BSc(Hons) in Geography from King’s College, London University, I trained as a Chartered Accountant in the City of London. It was here that I met my husband Phil, to whom I have now been married for 31 years.
In 1990 I joined KPMG in Guernsey and was a director of their trust company for several years. Following a take-over, I became a director of Kleinwort Benson’s Trust Company and headed up its operations department in Guernsey and Jersey. In 2003 I was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Cary Olsen, one of the largest law firms in the Channel Islands.
There ends the typical business profile. In 2006, having been disillusioned with the traditional business model, Phil and I set up The Mundi Group Ltd. A ‘not just for profit’ company, it aims to promote ethical business and make a positive difference. We are probably best known for our fair trade Mondomundi shops and have one of the largest fair trade retail businesses in the British Isles.
I also part-owned and ran a small fiduciary company called Parish Group Ltd, which I left when I became elected a Deputy in 2012.
Education and training has always been close to my heart. My mother was a teacher and there are many in my family who are involved in education. I sat as a business representative on the States of Guernsey Lifelong Learning Advisory Committee and was also a member of the training committee of the Guernsey Society of Chartered and Certified Accountants.
I was a Director of the Friends of Saumarez Park Playground LBG that, thanks to the generous donations from Islanders managed to build a fabulous place for children to learn through play.
I am Vice Chair of the Guernsey Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and was delighted to host members of the British Islands and Mediterranean region in May 2019. I have been a Governor of The Ladies’ College for over 5 years and was appointed a Trustee of the Guernsey Sports Commission at the beginning of 2020.
I have 2 children; Alex and Dominic, both of whom went to St Martin’s Primary School and who are now studying at University. I was also Chairman of the School’s PTA when they were younger.
Phil, who is also a Chartered Accountant and was a Director at Credit Suisse Fund Administration for many years, was a Constable and Douzenier of St Martin’s Parish. He is also Treasurer at the Guernsey Society for the Protection of Animals.
To relax, I like cycling Guernsey’s green lanes, gardening and painting, when time allows. I’ve also run a few charity races, including the Great North Run and the London Marathon and one day would like to cycle across America.
I was delighted and honoured to be included in the 2016-19 IFC Citywealth Power Women Top 200 and was recently shortlisted as Woman of the Year in Government, Regulatory and Non-Profit Organisations in the Powerwoman Awards 2020.