Tell us a little about you

I live in a little village in Worcestershire, with my amazing three‑year‑old and my working cocker spaniel, Buddy – also known as the “ginger ninja” – who’s now seven. I’m still not sure which of them is more chaotic, but between them, they definitely keep me on my toes.

I absolutely love to travel, and my ideal way to switch off is a long walk exploring new places with Buddy. If I ever get any actual “spare” time, you’ll probably find me in the kitchen baking – cakes and sourdough are my speciality, but I love experimenting with new recipes too… and if you’re watching your weight, you might want to keep your distance!

Where did your career start, and how did it evolve to where you are now?

I’ve had a pretty varied career, so it’s always hard to know where to start. I left school and went straight into the equine industry as a polo groom, which took me over to New Zealand for what was meant to be one season and turned into 3 ½  years. It was there that I gained the opportunity to embrace the southern hemisphere racing industry (not forgetting their rugby!). When I came back to the UK, I moved into companion animal practice as a student veterinary nurse before finding my long‑term fit as an equine veterinary nurse, which I absolutely loved.

I’d always had an eye on a more commercial role, so when the timing was right, I moved into a field sales role, first in veterinary wholesale, followed by the equine feed industry as a nutrition advisor. That role took me to some amazing places, working with and advising Olympians, champion racehorse trainers and some incredible stud farms with multi-million-pound horses. From there, I stepped into veterinary pharmaceutical sales, spending 3 ½  years on the ruminant portfolio before returning to my roots on the equine side of the business after maternity leave.

That role ended in redundancy, which I now see as the opportunity that allowed me to make a complete career change and join Noble Futures. It’s easily been one of the biggest shifts in my career, but also one of the most rewarding – and I absolutely love what I do now.

Working hands‑on across the animal health and equine industries in both clinical and commercial roles really allows me to understand the jobs I recruit for and what “great” looks like from both a client and candidate perspective.

What do you enjoy about recruitment? 

I’ll be honest, recruitment was never on my career bingo card in my late teens – and I’m not quite sure why now. It’s not every day you can say you genuinely enjoy coming to work, and no, that’s not just because it gives me a brief break from life with a toddler; it’s because I find connecting with people all day genuinely fascinating. Hearing about people’s career choices, their hobbies and interests, what really drives them, and the paths they’ve taken – while also supporting them through what is often a life‑changing decision – feels pretty incredible. When you find someone who is genuinely excited about a role and the hiring manager is just as excited about them, it’s magic, and there’s no feeling quite like delivering that final offer. It really feels like a privilege to be part of that moment.

What do you enjoy about working in the animal-related industries? 

I’ve always worked in animal‑related industries, mainly equine and animal health, so I never really imagined doing anything else. I love how many different roles, companies and career paths exist in this space that I had no idea about earlier in my career. It’s great to still be part of the industry I care about, and now to be in a role that lets me keep expanding my knowledge of it every day.

What do you look for in a candidate? 

Someone who is genuinely passionate and excited about the role or industry is always at the top of my list. Experience can be built, and skills can be taught, but true enthusiasm is hard to fake, and it really shows when someone doesn’t have it.

What is the one thing you think every CV should have? 

A clear, tailored CV with a summary at the top that speaks directly to the role you’re applying for. Your introduction shouldn’t be a life story; it doesn’t need to mention walking your neighbour’s dog when you were 13 if you’re applying to be a territory manager. Instead, highlight the skills and experience from your previous roles that are relevant to this job, and be really clear about what you’re looking for next. Keep it concise, focused and to the point so a hiring manager can immediately see why you’re a match.

What is your top career advice? 

Stay open. It’s great to have clear career goals, but I’ve learned first‑hand that things don’t always go to plan, and that’s often where the best opportunities appear. If you stay curious and open to what’s out there, the right role can pop up when you least expect it. And remember, you spend a huge chunk of your life working, around 40 hours a week for at least 40 years, so make sure you genuinely enjoy what you do and, if you don’t, be brave enough to change it.