A remarkable journey
"I grew up in Southwest London and followed the traditional educational path, of leaving school to do A-Levels and then going to university. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia when I was in my late teens and more recently in adulthood, with ADHD. Getting a fuller understanding of who I am and how I think was a huge relief and I’m passionate about raising awareness of neurodiversity to try and help other people.
I graduated from university with a degree in banking and finance and started applying for roles in corporate and investment banking. The finance associate role at AS Watson caught my eye because it was so unlike anything else I’d considered in corporate finance. I’d interviewed for a couple of different places and the people here were warm, friendly, and genuinely interested in getting to know me which I wasn’t expecting from such a large multinational company. I took a chance and applied and I’m so glad that I did. To be given such a fantastic opportunity and see the world is something I feel very privileged to have been able to do, especially straight from university!"
A remarkable role
"I spend most of my time travelling with my team to different countries and working on operational and financial projects. We work together with each business unit to understand how they work and make recommendations on how they can optimise their operations. Every project is so different, and we consider everything from strategy and its execution to its impact on processes and its benefits to the customer and the wider business. We look at finances, data governance, laws and legislation, stock management, customer service, and buying. I find it fascinating to work with lots of different people, learn about all the innerworkings of a business and understand subtleties in cultural and market differences."
Remarkable learning opportunities
"Ever since I joined, I’ve had the opportunity to do reverse mentoring and I previously worked with the People Director, which was so interesting. Ever since I joined, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in reverse mentoring, which has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I also had the chance to work closely with the People Director, which provided valuable insights and was truly impactful. When I first started, I found speaking to senior people quite unfamiliar, but everyone you meet is so supportive, happy to help if you have questions, and equally, keen to hear your insights. To be able to learn from a range of experts and senior leaders has been invaluable in helping me develop my career. "
Growing skills
"The great thing about working for The Perfume Shop is the development opportunities you get being part of a global network. The Perfume Shop is part of the AS Watson group and there are so many connections to be made in the UK and beyond. You can really write your own personal development plan and work with your manager to achieve it. My role has developed a couple of times since I joined – firstly taking on analytics and more recently Retail Media. I’ve really grown in terms of skill-set and capability. And I’ve got the support of a brilliant manager. She’s my biggest cheerleader and has shown me courses I can do, and the learning and development programmes that have helped me build my career. We all have access to this and it helps everyone be fit for the future."
Remarkable experiences
"I feel lucky to have had so many incredible experiences and I’ve been able to visit some beautiful places including Paris, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Lithuania, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Romania, and before the war, Russia and Ukraine. As each project lasts for varying lengths of time - sometimes over a month in duration - we often go out as a team to explore, go to museums, sightsee, and have dinner together after work, resulting in strong friendships, which is lovely."
Creating remarkable change
"Times have changed since I received my Dyslexia diagnosis ten years ago, and the stigma of neurodiversity is much less apparent. However, more work needs to be done. I’m passionate about raising awareness, because I know it would have helped me accept myself and the way my brain works, when I was younger especially. I think it’s important to bring the topic of neurodiversity into everyday conversation at work, whether that’s by sharing an accommodation need or to increase understanding in our teams. At AS Watson, we have a Neurodiversity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and I recently got involved with them for Neurodiversity Awareness Week. I’ve also teamed up with my colleague, who also has Dyslexia, to deliver training to my team to raise awareness about Dyslexia in the workplace.
I’ve also had the chance to spend two years working with people around the world as part of the next-generation corporate social responsibility committee, to help drive our sustainability agenda. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with passionate people from around the world focusing on Climate Action, where we developed innovative learning modules and created a comprehensive sustainability guideline to create meaningful change at AS Watson."
A remarkable business
"Everyone here shares a drive to help each other improve and we have a supportive working environment that is set up to encourage people to contribute ideas and learn from each other. It’s so important for me to work somewhere that cares about their impact on people and the planet. And to feel able to speak up about what I need, whether that’s extra time on a report, a quiet space to work, or a stand-up desk for meetings and be encouraged to work in the way that works for me, is amazing "
Be remarkable. Be yourself.
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"Any accommodations you need to be your best, creative self will be listened to and respected here and the opportunities to develop are everywhere. AS Watson has welcomed and accepted me for who I am, they value my skills and I’ve gained experiences that I didn’t think were possible, especially as a new graduate. I’d urge anyone looking for somewhere to launch their career to apply here."