What is your most memorable achievement whilst working in your current role?

In my first year at the Conveyancing Association (CA), I undertook an extensive governance review where I rewrote the Articles of Association, changed the Board structure, and introduced new Member Rules. This included changing the Executive Committee composition to include practitioners. Conveyancers have such a complicated and difficult role, and having people at an operational level with a true understanding of the issues being faced is really important.

We also introduced a new strategy which firmly puts our members at the heart of everything we do, something I am extremely passionate about. Our membership now includes firms of all sizes, and our in-year meetings include sessions on the day-to-day issues conveyancers face, alongside the more forward-looking initiatives we were previously known for.

What has been the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?

“Always be yourself.” This advice was given by a female senior leader during my 30 years at HM Land Registry. She had watched people come up through the ranks and change into something they thought others wanted them to be, rather than being themselves.

I think it’s really important to be authentic and follow what you truly believe is right. People might not always agree with you, but they will always see that you are coming from the right place.

What has been the key positive or negative impact of change in your area of the market?

Where do we start? I really don’t know how conveyancers have absorbed the amount of change and widening of their remit over recent years. Given the number of consultation responses and the amount of lobbying we have done even in the first part of this year, I don’t see that letting up any time soon.

One of the positives I would like to see in the future is conveyancers charging the right fee for the work they do, which would then enable them to take on a more manageable level of cases.

If you were not in your current position, what would you like to be doing?

I have always wanted to do more for charity. The CA’s partner charity this year is Parkinson’s UK, which is a cause close to my and my family’s heart. We recently raised £8,000 at the CA’s conference dinner, which was amazing and once again shows how kind and generous our conveyancing community is.

It would be great if I had more time to dedicate to supporting the charity further.

What three items would you put on display in a museum of your life and why?

Photo of my family. I would not be where I am today without their love and support. Their humour and sense of fun have kept me sane and happy along the way.

Walking boots. I am lucky enough to live near Sutton Park, where I walk as many times a week as I can. No earphones, just me and my thoughts. I find it is my best thinking time and a good opportunity to fit in those catch-up calls that are otherwise hard to schedule.

Passport. I love travelling and seeing new places. I have travelled to some great destinations with family and have been fortunate enough to do some international work in most of my roles throughout my career. That reminds me, I need to book our next holiday.

What three guests would you invite to a dinner party?

Joanna Lumley. She is intelligent and compassionate, but most importantly she fights for the rights of others and does not take herself too seriously.

Graham Norton. He is a natural chat show host, so he would keep the conversation flowing and would hopefully share some wonderful stories about the amazing guests he has interviewed over the years.

Ed Donn. I have had the great pleasure of sitting next to Ed at many dinners and awards events, and his humour and wit always keep me entertained. A true gentleman and a great storyteller.