I am English, a wife and proud mother of two chocolate Labradors. I also have over 20yrs experience in public speaking, training and international HR roles with General Electric, which is why I set up New Voice and why you’re reading about me.
My vocal training started when I was just 4years old. I had a speech impediment and my mother sent me to elocution lessons. These soon became speech & drama lessons that developed into voice training and before I knew it, I had my Gold LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) and dreams of Hollywood.
Hollywood was replaced with Coventry (a place in the middle of England, close to Birmingham… ) where I studied Psychology and developed a fascination for people and how we think, learn, socialize, love etc. Thoughts of Hollywood evolved into thoughts of how I could work with people and observe, coach, develop and learn the mysteries of the human psyche. Needing to earn some money after a year-long holiday, I hit the streets looking for a job, saw an advert for an HR Administrator role at GE and my fate was sealed.
My career with GE has spanned Europe, ANZ and Asia, with my last role being HR Leader for the Capital business in ASEAN and key functions across Asia. GE was where I grew up professionally and being part of the Crotonville training organisation early on and trained to deliver key Leadership and Professional skills courses, allowed me to create a professional foundation and skill set based on excellence and best-in-class practices. I learnt the fundamentals of communicating across management levels, with different stakeholders and in different situations. Being aware of my voice and how I could use it to my advantage allowed me to navigate the minefield and this knowledge led me to develop the 360° Communication Model.
In a company where speaking up and being assertive were valued, I found my confidence and knowledge of how to engage the audience with my voice and communication style was a real asset. After only 2years in the organisation I was delivering Leadership training, rubbing shoulders with industry-respected Leaders and learning the art of facilitation from true experts. Not one to shy away from challenges or risks, I was soon taking on more responsibility and within 4yrs of being in the organization I had completed my Postgraduate CIPD HR Diploma and was leading the relocation and retrenchment exercise for one of the key business units.
An overseas role beckoned and I found myself in Auckland, New Zealand, taking on more HR and Training challenges for the Region. Having developed and delivered numerous workshops by then, from 5dy Leadership courses to 2hrs Employee Briefings, I was a well-practiced, confident and effective Leadership skills trainer and HR professional. Coaching senior Leaders through times of growth, downsizing and change were key elements of my role: on-the-spot coaching as challenges arise through to pro active coaching following the Executive Coaching principles.
From Auckland to Singapore, arriving in 2006 and wow, what an eye-opener this part of my journey has been. I have learnt so much about cross-cultural communication, different work practices, interaction styles, community values and it continues at a pace! My work with New Voice now integrates all these new elements and each solution is developed collaboratively and based on a comprehensive understanding and respect of people’s differing value systems, objectives and methods.
I am continually inspired by people – what they achieve, what they suffer, how they love and support each other, how they innovate and create and how they lead. My work with New Voice allows me to partner with some of these great people and with businesses as they go through periods of change. Helping them implement transparent and successful communication strategies to ensure everyone is aligned and the next level is reached is my main purpose.
I truly believe being able to communicate well, make a connection with people and build a relationship are the keys to success. You need to know your own voice, be comfortable with it and use it to your advantage.
Success really does speak for itself.
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