IoD Jersey

Interviews

You are the Chair of the Professional Development Committee at The Institute of Directors (IoD) in Jersey – what made you get involved?: I believe in life learning. I believe in the Royal Charter of the IoD, which promotes “better Directors for a better world”. The IoD is one of the longest-standing authorities at the centre of business, which promotes free enterprise, lobbying of government and setting standards for corporate governance. As a business professional, a subject matter expert in corporate governance and a fervent collaborator, it felt like a natural fit to volunteer my time to encourage people in Jersey to become qualified as Directors, to narrow the gap between the public and private sector and to be part of a growing community of experts that is part of a nearly 900 strong membership, you have direct access to.

You are an advocate for gaining qualifications, why do think it is so important to be qualified?: Besides the fact that being qualified gives you credibility, confidence and possible career opportunities, I fully believe that you should be qualified in what you do, particularly in financial services, which covers over 40% of Jersey's economy. You would not go to a non-qualified surgeon, so why would you use non-qualified business professionals?

You are originally from Ireland, what brought you to Jersey?: I came to Jersey for a 2 week holiday nearly 30 years ago! I fell in love with the island, well St Helier, as I don’t think I went outside St Helier for the first 2 years! I loved what Jersey represented. An island of promise and opportunity and not too far from my own emerald isle. I was lured initially by the glamour of the retail sector, which was thriving in the 90s. I was a keen fashionista (and like to think that I still am), and I started work in retail as soon as I stepped off the plane, and I loved it. I had family in Jersey, lots of friends and a great social life close to the sea, what could have been better?

The art of coaching supports people to use what they already have within themselves to strive. There is nothing more rewarding than someone telling me that they have used some of the tools that we have practiced together and that they have overcome something that has been blocking them in their life.

From your early jobs in fashion to your career in Governance, Risk and Compliance, what would you say to people who want to change their career?: Go for it! I was very lucky to have a mother and father who told me that “the world was my oyster” that I could do whatever I wanted, and “you just need to put your mind to it”, and I did! I quickly realised that the world of finance was something I wanted to explore, so I qualified as a Trust & Company Administrator (COFA & DOFA). I went on to do my Trust Practitioner exams (STEP) and also the Chartered Secretary qualification (ICSA). I progressed through the ranks to the Director level, and on the way, I found myself drawn to the rules, applying the facts to the law, I entered the world of Compliance! I like to question things; I like to understand why we do things a certain way and put in place measures to simplify the process for the best outcomes.

You are passionate about people – what does that mean to you?: I have worked at the coalface of finance for nearly 30 years, I have worked with, managed, mentored and coached so many people. Driven by a deep connection to my values and what they represent, caring about myself, my welfare and how I could manage that, I found myself naturally caring about other people’s welfare and their mental health.

Working on intense projects with tight deadlines, team and stakeholder management, it’s essential to look after the people. I believe that you should treat people as you would like to be treated. Supporting, listening, and encouraging talent makes me happy and makes my job easier. This built-in compassion led me to become a qualified, accredited coach practitioner and a qualified workplace mentor. I am an experienced trainer and love time spent in a learning environment. On average, people spend a third of their life at work – you should be happy there, right?

“If you find a job you love, you will never work again”

Winston Churchill

Tell us more about “The Coaching Agency”: I set up The Coaching Agency nearly four years ago. After studying to be a Qualified Coach, It brought together for me, many passions, the love of learning, people development, personal development and living my values. Through the development of others, I realised that I have a unique quality in that I can assist people to be better versions of themselves. The art of coaching supports people to use what they already have within themselves to strive. There is nothing more rewarding than someone telling me that thy have used some of the tools that we have practiced together and that they have overcome something that has been blocking them in their life. Or that they have made a small change that has made a huge difference to them.

“Life is short, live passionately”

Marc. A Pitman

Driven by a deep connection to my values and what they represent, caring about myself, my welfare and how I could manage that, I found myself naturally caring about other people’s welfare and their mental health.

You have spent many years volunteering – can you tell us more?: In my quest for a purposeful life, I thought about what is important to me. A Great coaching question is, “What is important for you to be you”? I thought long and hard about this. I thought about my earlier training to be a nurse when I left school, and I reminded me of some very happy times spent with people with learning disability. I did my research here in Jersey, and I offered my time to Beresford Street Kitchen, www.beresfordstreetkitchen.je, a wonderful social enterprise that supports people with learning disabilities and autistic people. For the last nearly five years, I have volunteered at their café at La Hougie Bie on a Saturday morning, supporting the crew on their training programmes, dealing with customers, making coffee and learning kitchen skills from the preparation of food to baking cakes. BSK in St Helier has the “café with a conscience”, a print room and a catering workshop, all supporting the crew with their learning and development. It’s an honour to spend time with the crew and training mentors, I have learned to slow down, to concentrate on one thing at a time and to appreciate that everyone learns in different ways. And I hope they have learned some things from me, too!

What do you think is the secret to a good work/life balance?: I am not sure I have cracked this yet, but what I do know is that you only have one life. So far, every turn of the century has brought change. You are in charge of your destiny, and you can always change direction. I have worked hard to achieve a work-life balance – the one that I have at the moment that works for me. I have made time to do the things I love doing. I have a supportive husband and an eleven-year-old daughter who is growing up in a world where she is looking to her parents and family for security and direction. I want to empower her to be resilient, to care, be kind and to know that she can do what she wants to do with her life.

It sounds like you are a busy lady – what do you do in your spare time?: I make an effort to have “spare time” – it’s really important to me, so I factor this into my busy schedule. When I am on holiday, I am on holiday! I love having friends around and cooking for them. I love relaxed walks, well “mooches” with my 13-Year-old L’hasa, Winne – she makes me slow down and take in my surroundings, which I am grateful for. I love to journal, to write expressively – such a change from compliance reporting! Spending time with my family, travel, and so many other things that I am looking forward to trying!

“Be the change you want to see in the world”

Mahatma Gandhi

**Contact Sue at: **thecoachingagency@mail.com

www.thecoachinagency.life

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