Being born with cerebral palsy into an entrepreneurial business owning family has given me a unique outlook, which I bring to the vast variety of roles I now currently enjoy. I am an experienced psychotherapist, accustomed to working in challenging environments and vulnerable high trauma clients. I have also owned and run a number of varied businesses since University including a ski chalet business with over 25 chalets. This combined with my personal lived experience of having a frequently hidden disability has given me a deeply empathic understanding of people with both physical and mental health challenges. My diverse experience includes overseeing the running of my family hotel business and St. Annes Pier with all the challenges that come with a 125 year old Victorian metal pier in the North Sea! I volunteer as a counsellor within the prison service and also with Stockport Women's Centre supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society. I have taken this experience to my current roles at MSV, where I serve on the main board, the investment board and the customers and communities board. Bringing a commercial understanding to a knowledge of the needs of the housing board's customers has been really valuable as I have grown into the role.