Wonderful Women of the South West: Claire Goldstraw
Continuing our series of interviews with inspiring women of the South West, this blog features Claire Goldstraw, who is a Civil Servant with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Profile: an articulate, focused and courageous woman who ‘looks after the public weather service from customer perspective, managing the stakeholder relationships with the Met Office and the department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).’
Star qualities: musical, determined, gets things done, good at keeping a balance, enjoys a challenge, likes to push self, stands up for what she believes, has a sense of humour, is interested in developing others, adventurous.
Career: from academic background with a doctoral qualification in oceanography, which she studied for in Southampton, North Wales and Canada, Claire returned to the UK and joined the Met Office as an oceanographer in 2001.
Always looking to challenge herself, Claire moved into a series of different, external facing roles, managing customer and stakeholder relationships, working with national and international groups.
Moving from research into business, Claire worked on various projects including developing customer supplier agreements for major government customers and founded the organisation’s women’s network along the way.
Claire on…
Starting out: ‘You have to be passionate about what you do.’
‘Business culture is very different from academia so you must prepare e.g. work experience or talking to someone. Volunteering is really important.’
Making choices: ‘I did teacher training, got to the end and realised it was not what I wanted to do. That took courage.’
‘I went to see careers adviser, who said, “You don’t have to teach”.’
‘Giving yourself permission not to do things [is very important].’
‘[What you study] is not the only option open to you. Think laterally and creatively.’
Support: ‘I had lots of juggling as a single mother, but co-parented very well with my daughter’s father.’
‘Family are very important.’
‘I’ve had several really inspirational Managers. One is still my mentor now during my secondment – to retain links with the workplace and make sure my return is managed well.’
‘You’re only as good as your team.’
Self development: ‘I am always asking myself, how do I make the next step? What extra skills do I need?’
‘I opted for chartered management status through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in 2010.’
‘I always look for training courses to increase my skills. I learn best going on a course.’
Career progression: ‘It’s important to keep your eyes open for opportunities and being open to moving out of your comfort zone.’
‘Through one piece of work (a project on the public weather service) I was head hunted.’
‘Don’t close off any possibilities..’ (on returning to the Met Office)
Challenges: ‘In a big period of change, it’s [about] managing that and keeping the focus on what’s important.’
‘I constantly ask, what’s the impact of what we do? Is this going to help?’
‘Being assertive is important, especially when the right answer is no.’
Wisdom for women: ‘You have got to have self belief and self confidence; those higher up [than you] are just people and we all have our insecurities; remember you are just as good as anyone else.’
Women’s networks: ‘It’s a way to bring women together for support – a critical mass to move things along.’
‘[A network] needs resources to be effective.’
Hidden extras: Claire plays the violin, piano and cello to grade VIII standard, is a school governor and is involved with musical charities.
Wonderful Women of the South West
Meeting with Anne Walker MBE, CEO of International Dance Supplies Ltd
About Anne…..
Profile: Anne Walker, MBE, CEO of International Dance Supplies Ltd, a global business success based in Newton Abbot, Devon.
Star qualities: focus, determination, passion, a sense of humour, fearlessness, flexibility and generosity, all of which are at the heart of the company’s culture and the way it does business.
Anne on…
Dreams and aspirations: ‘…I was focused, determined, passionate and penniless. When I started, I had nothing.’
‘Women don’t believe in themselves and so don’t follow their dream. You have to have passion and hunger – you need both to succeed.’
Celebrating success and nurturing talent: ‘It was vitally important to us to nurture local talent. We have had some real success stories in the company – people who have grown with us and developed their skills.’
‘We entered competitions and won. Winning awards raises our profile and means we can share our success with our staff and customers.’
‘We have set up a degree programme in direct marketing with the University of Plymouth and South Devon College, to encourage young people into the business and equip them with essential skills. It’s part of our commitment to the local community and to growth.’
Practicalities: ‘I would encourage people to make every mistake going and learn from it.’
‘Think like it’s your own money and don’t use all your savings. Learn key skills such as marketing and do it yourself. Plough every penny back into the business. Remember, it’s profit which counts, not turnover.’
‘Networking is vitally important to building business relationships. I recognised this later on and it’s brought me huge benefits.’
Her own business: ‘I had to fight for recognition. You try having the word ‘dance’ in your company name. Even now, 33 years on, I still get the same reaction at business meetings, until I start talking about our success. Then I get taken seriously.’
‘We continually strive to keep ahead as we grow. A business is either growing or dying and we are growing’
And finally… ‘You can’t grow bigger than your dreams.’
Thank to Anne and her team for their time, input and wisdom.
Annie and Marian: Me Actually
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