Our non executive director, Mo, reflects on her journey to Here

I still have to pinch myself sometimes to remind myself that I arrived here. It has been an ambition of mine to become a Non-Executive Director for a while, but I thought it was something that would take me a long time to achieve.

I have had a successful career in corporations where I started in sales and marketing roles, always working in the technology sector. I have sold things that go on boats, things that open doors, things that go in radiotherapy machines, software to find jobs and many other things in between. I progressed to a senior leadership role at a listed corporation where I travelled the world. I was happy doing that and leading a team and making big decisions, until I wasn’t. I realised I wanted more to my life than always travelling and making money for faceless shareholders.

That’s when I left all of that, and worked for a wonderful software company in Brighton with a brilliant team. A much smaller company where I knew the owners and I ran the sales and customer success team there. That’s where I could see the benefits of working somewhere where everyone feels a strong sense of purpose and joy in what they do.

Ditching the commute and travelling meant I had more time, so I got involved in charity work and in local community projects. I also started working for myself as a consultant and joined a brilliant women’s business networking group in Brighton.

Then, the thing happened……covid and lockdown. Like everyone else, my world changed dramatically. I thrive on meeting people and lead a busy social life, and suddenly I was stuck at home. That was when, on one of those long zoom calls during the early part of lockdown, that two friends and I decided to try starting a diversity and inclusion company, Watch This Sp_ce.

And in my mind, I was thinking about other things I could do and looking for opportunities to stretch myself further and contribute more to society. I became a Trustee at The Clock Tower Sanctuary and joined a great team helping young people who are homeless in Brighton.

And as we all progressed through endless lockdowns, and lost track of time, there was a week when several people I know sent me the link for a vacancy for a Non-Executive Director at Here. I read up on everything Here does, the purpose, the values, the work and the team and I was hooked.

I can still remember the shock I felt when Helen called me to say I was being offered the role. And since then, it’s been a joy to work with the Board, with the people at Here and to learn more about the organisation and the ambitions and goals. It’s the strong sense of purpose from everyone at Here that enables a culture where people can say what they think, be who they are and contribute without judgement that makes it such a special place.

I aim to bring some different perspectives and I love talking to people in different teams at Here. My business background means that I can help with sales, marketing and other commercial aspects for Here’s strategy. I bring the perspective of my diversity and inclusion work. And along with the other Non-Exec Directors, we help the board by asking questions, giving advice and by being people they can talk to for ideas. I also work with people in teams at Here where they are working on more business-focused areas.

I feel honoured and lucky to be part of such a fantastic place!