Understanding people.
Building purpose.

The path that
shaped my purpose.

I grew up in a small mining town in Fife, with a curiosity about the world and an entrepreneurial streak that appeared early. As a child, I sold drawings. Later, I wanted to become an architect, but the expectations placed on girls at the time helped steer me towards a different career.

I became an occupational therapist. That experience shaped everything I do today.

It taught me to understand people: what matters to them, what holds them back and what helps them move forward. My own experience of feeling misunderstood growing up deepened that interest. Over time, I developed a stronger understanding of human behaviour, personality, self-worth and the difference that purposeful activity can make to someone’s life.

Those lessons remain at the heart of my work.

Understanding
what creates value.

Alongside my career, I was always building businesses. My first serious venture was in beauty therapy. I qualified through night school and reduced my employed role to part-time to give it a chance.

I made plenty of mistakes. Some were painful, and I worked hard without making money. That experience taught me to understand the difference between a cost and an investment, and between being busy and creating value.

I still make mistakes. What has changed is how I learn from them, and how I bring that learning into the organisations I work with.

Over the years, my work has included university lecturing and research, curriculum design, organisational development, training and facilitation. I have coached people for 35 years, including around 18 years as an executive coach.

Purpose that reaches
beyond one conversation.

As an occupational therapist, I supported people individually to engage in meaningful activity. Today, I build purpose-driven businesses that can bring that same thinking to teams and whole organisations.

Serving on the national board of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce has broadened that work. It has brought opportunities to listen to business leaders across industries, contribute to conversations about Scotland’s future and bring new understanding back into the organisations I support.

I am proud of those opportunities. What matters most is what we do with them.

At The Booking Office, that means bringing human understanding and commercial purpose together. We prepare people to listen well, hold meaningful conversations, recognise opportunities and follow through.

Seeing the talent.
Supporting the journey.

Co-founding The Booking Office with Francesca is particularly special. She grew up across the road from me and was friends with my daughter. Seeing her talent, building this business together and sharing what I have learned brings me enormous pride.

Technology gives us extraordinary ways to connect. Thoughtful conversation, confidence and the ability to make someone feel understood still need nurturing. I want to help younger generations develop those skills and keep them at the heart of business.

Watching my own daughters grow in their careers, businesses and relationships reminds me how much possibility there is in helping someone find their own path.