This year, IWD leads with the #balanceforbetter slogan. A slogan that relates not just to women but encourages gender-balance within economies, workplaces and business.
For the celebration of women within our workplace, we have decided to focus on two of our successful colleagues, interviewing them on how they progressed to where they are now.
Caterina Glenn is one of our inspirational and successful women at Wade Macdonald. Caterina is the Senior Manager of Finance & Accountancy at Wade Macdonald and although only having been with us for just under a year, has made her mark and is loved and respected by the entire team.
Lucy-Emma is our second celebrated woman chosen to speak about her career journey. Lucy-Emma will have been at Wade Macdonald for ten years come April. Lucy-Emma has worked her way up to Business Manager and sits on the interim side of the HR desk at Wade Macdonald.
How long have you been in recruitment?
Caterina: 24 years
Lucy-Emma: 23 years
Where did you start your career?
Caterina: I started working with a global, blue-chip consultancy. My first role was as a trainee consultant and my job was at the time advertised in the guardian.
Lucy-Emma: I was a recruitment consultant at my sister’s firm. She already had an office in Windsor but wanted another open in Wokingham which is where I started my recruitment career. I focused on commercial roles (secretarial, PA, Marketing, Customer service) throughout the 12 years I spent there.
How did you get to where you are now?
Caterina: Hard work, determination and a lot of overtime! Perseverance is always something needed in the industry and whilst not every day is a great one, I have learnt that the good outweigh the not so good.
Lucy-Emma: Lots of determination, love for success, hard work and the thrill of the chase.
What would you say has been your main drive to success for yourself?
Caterina: I am still passionate about helping people get the right role and I still get a huge buzz out of doing this. I am always conscious that this is someone’s livelihood and am respectful of that.
Lucy-Emma: Helping people. It’s satisfying putting someone on their career path and watching them flourish. I love the excitement from placing people and the money is also a big incentive to me.
What things keep you positive and work happy?
Caterina: Nowadays, as much as the rewards still come from securing a role for someone, I am heavily focused on staff management and am proud to see the people working with me grow in ability and confidence, and become good consultants in their own right.
Lucy-Emma: I read a book about positivity which really helped me to keep my mind-set in a positive mode. My desk is well known to the office; covered in decorative flowers, windmills and other colourful bits and bobs that keep me motivated throughout the day. Team morale also keeps me positive and my happy, stable family life.
Who was/is your role model and why?
Caterina: My Parents. As Italian immigrants to the UK, they worked exceptionally hard in manual labour jobs when they first arrived, sometimes working 2 jobs to make sure the family was looked after. They had grit, determination and a huge belief that a hard work ethic was vital in order to succeed.
Lucy-Emma: Rafa Nadal. He is a fantastic competitor, never gives up. Even in the eyes of defeat, he will battle for every point to win. He’s such a humble and gracious person and I have great admiration for him. He inspires me to never give up and to stay determined in what I do.
How has the world changed for working women?
Caterina: When I first joined this industry, it was a bit of an “old boys network”. You got ahead by playing golf or as a woman, not rocking the boat.
Now I feel that times have changed. Whilst yes, we do still network with events like golfing days, there is much more inclusion and diversity surrounding what else we do in order to be recognised by our peers.
Women’s opinions are valued and listened to and certainly within the business I work for now, I feel respected and able to have an input and make a real difference.
Lucy-Emma: My initial 12 years in recruitment were spent predominantly surrounded by successful women. I was fortunate enough not to experience a male dominated workforce.
As the world has changed, I hear more about shared parental leave, where some companies have adopted a more flexible paternity policy and more women are the ‘bread winners’. This allows women to continue the focus on their career and not get left behind. Nowadays we see more recognition for women and their achievements which is a very positive thing.
Images: Caterina Glenn top left, Lucy-Emma Heath-Turrall top right
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