I'm Head of Catering Operations and Sustainability Lead at Hampshire Cricket, based at Utilita Bowl in Southampton. My role spans everything from overseeing food and beverage on matchdays to driving the club's sustainability agenda. Not bad for someone who originally just came in for a few shifts.
Cricket came into my life almost by accident. I joined the stadium as a casual member of staff 22 years ago, fitting shifts around my children's school hours. What started as a practical decision quickly became something I genuinely loved. I loved the energy, the people, and the unique challenge of making sure everything runs smoothly, even when it clearly is not. I never planned a career in cricket, but I am so glad I found one here.
Over the years I have worked hard to keep progressing, completing a Level 5 Management qualification and taking on more responsibility at every stage. My career path before cricket was anything but straightforward. I studied interior design, moved into banking (which taught me very quickly that spreadsheets were not my calling, funny now that is basically all I do), and even ran an antique shop with my parents. Cricket was not on the career plan. But here I am.
When sustainability became part of my role, I loved the chance to learn something completely new. It turns out you can care about reducing waste and still care deeply about a great lunch menu.
I am proud to have worked my way up from casual team member to senior leadership, and I hope my story is proof that with hard work, resilience, and a decent sense of humour, anything is possible.
To any woman or girl thinking about getting involved in cricket, whether in a paid role, through volunteering or as a player: you do not need to have grown up watching the game to belong in it.