Meet the women behind the businesses – Business Women’s Week 2021
To celebrate Business Women’s Week we’ve asked our team members at Dow Schofield Watts to share an insight into their passions outside of work to remind us all how a healthy work/life balance can benefit us in various areas of our lives. Thank you to Sophie, Jessica, Eleanor, Melanie, Ros and Cath for taking the time to answer our questions and giving us all a sneak peek into the women behind the various Dow Schofield Watts businesses.
Sophie Colloby
What is your role at DSW?
Transaction Service Partner in Leeds
What are your passions outside of work?
My family and pets (2 dogs, 4 horses, 8 chickens and parrot) and I compete with the horses (at a very low level).
How does spending your free time doing something you enjoy benefit your work?
Horses need exercise every day (in a way that a gym membership doesn’t) so even when we’re too busy it forces me to make time for some fresh air and physical activity that I personally think is really important for mental wellbeing
Horses are very sensitive, and they know when you aren’t paying full attention. If you try and ride a horse while also thinking about work, they will take full advantage messing around and generally be silly. So, to ride effectively you have to clear your mind and focus on what you’re doing. I find this a great way to unwind, even when there is a lot going on at work, coming back to things fresh with a clear head often results in me getting through things more quickly.
Dog walking in the wonderful Yorkshire Dales where we live is a nice way to combine fresh air / gentle exercise with working through complex problems in my mind.
My lockdown purchase was a young Dales pony – a critically endangered UK breed. I’m increasingly conscious of the wider environment (with my children being very aware of our impact on the planet) so in some tiny way I’m hoping that competing with him will show to others what a great, versatile, and competitive breed they can be, and I might inspire others to own one too.
Jessica Bradbury
What is your role at DSW?
I am part of the execution team at Camlee, mainly providing lead sell-side advisory services to owner-managed businesses.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work my main passions are reading, Chinese kickboxing and mountain biking.
How does spending your free time doing something you enjoy benefit your work?
I think the main benefit, with my hobbies at least, is that they make me focus completely on an activity outside of work for a period of time. So, when I come back, I’m de-stressed and have more focus. It also gives me some distance from particular problems and tasks I might be a bit too close to. I think this is most useful in very busy times when the hours can be long.
Eleanor Boardman
What is your role at DSW?
I’m an Investment Manager in the DSW Ventures team – we invest venture capital into early-stage businesses, so my role includes sourcing potential investments, executing deals and supporting the portfolio once we’ve invested.
What are your passions outside of work?
I wish I had an interesting hobby to mention here, but my favourite things to do outside of work are mostly just spending friends and family (usually centred around cooking or eating lots of food!) or trying to stay active – lots of walks, the occasional game of tennis and recently a trampoline-based class which was a lot harder than it looked! I also love travelling – I haven’t had chance to do much recently due to Covid, but I did my first solo trip a couple of years ago and would love to do another once it becomes easier to go further afield.
How does spending your free time doing something you enjoy benefit your work?
Day-to-day it allows me to step back and think more clearly, so I try to do at least a daily walk or workout which helps me clear my head and also think more widely about things I might be working on. More generally it helps me unwind and come back to work refreshed – I’m far more productive and ready for the week ahead after a weekend of doing what I enjoy.
Melanie Clark
What is your role at DSW?
I am a partner in the Aberdeen Corporate Finance Team.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m kept pretty busy with my little girl Mollie who is 17 months. Her temper tantrums and unreasonable demands make even the most difficult clients seem like a piece of cake! When I’m not mumming or working, I am a keen runner (slow but keen!) and have just completed my second marathon.
How does spending your free time doing something you enjoy benefit your work?
I love getting out for a run in the fresh air. If I’ve had a busy or stressful day, it really helps clear my mind and give me a chance to relax, or if I run in the morning, it really sets me up for the day. I think getting that time to myself to unwind definitely makes me a better wife, mum, and colleague. In addition, being part of this community and doing local events means I’ve made a lot of friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Ros Jones
What is your role at DSW?
I am a Director in the Transaction Services team based in Daresbury
What are your passions outside of work?
I am no athlete, but I enjoy running and go to sessions at my local running club twice a week
How does spending your free time doing something you enjoy benefit your work?
Running gives me a reason to get away from my desk, have a break, and often have a natter with others about anything and everything. I have found so many benefits of running outside for my general mental and physical wellbeing, particularly having spent large amounts of time working from home over the last 18 months. Getting out at the start of the day helps me approach my working day with a more positive mindset, getting out at the end of the day helps me to switch off…although it is proving more difficult now the evenings are getting darker!
Cath Priestly
What is your role at DSW?
I am a Recruitment Manager at DSW, I support our teams around the country with any recruitment needs they have and any related duties that arise from those processes. I also work directly with senior individuals in professional services to grow our Partners network and support the growth strategy of the business.
What are your passions outside of work?
I enjoy outdoor exercise which can be anything from walking the dog to an outdoor circuits class in a muddy field!
For the last 12 months I have been volunteering for a community initiative that promotes zero food waste, redistributing food that is almost at its sell by date from the supermarkets to local people and stopping it going into landfill. The number of hubs the group has created has grown from 2 a week to 4 a week in the last few months which is reflective of the amount that would otherwise be wasted. To help provide a service that is completely free to the community and is also helping a variety of people in difficult times has become very important to me and it’s great to be involved.
How does spending your free time doing something you enjoy benefit your work?
Most of my activities outside of work involve interesting and varied groups of people. I find this really helpful as it constantly develops my ability to relate to and make connections with people whose lives can be so different from my own, a key skill in my role!
All of my 3 children play competitive football, so I spend a lot of time at various training sessions, games, tournaments, and thankfully social events for the parents! Sporting development has come such a long way since I was a kid, the children are taught to try their best, be competitive but also to have resilience when it doesn’t go their way, and to be respectful of their coaches, team mates and opponents, all important life skills that I often relate to my working life. I see the positive impact this world has on my children’s mental health, and it always reminds me to keep challenging myself, and to always make time for a passion that promotes wellbeing!