Sharon Appleby, CEO of Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID), shares her personal insights with Portfolio North.
Q. My morning routine is…
Get up well in advance of everyone else, have a coffee on my own, do some work and watch Kevin McGuire and Andrew Pearce on GMB. I love watching their very lively debates.
Q. What puts me in a good mood
Things working out even better than planned. Sometimes the kids. Knowing I’m heading up to Beadnell again soon – that’s my happy place.
Q: What makes me angry
Regularly the kids! How much uncertainty is around for business and the state of politics in general. This has made me increasingly angry more recently as its hard enough for businesses without the chaos in the government.
Q: Values I try to live and work by
Honesty, integrity, belief, passion and a great work ethic.
Q: Bad habits I try to break
Too much shopping; eating too many sweets.
Oh, and getting frustrated at the kids!
Q: What motivates me most
Doing a great job and seeing businesses that we work with thrive.
Being able to make a difference at such a key time for Sunderland.
Q: My sources of joy are
My fabulous family – 12-yr-old twin daughters.
Honestly, seeing my team constantly delivering amazing things and supporting the transformation of Sunderland.
I even feel joyful when I see new yellow construction signs going out – I recently returned from New York after having had a week off and the signs for the site for the new Wear Crossing Bridge were everywhere. I was so delighted (that’s quite embarrassing!)
Q: I relax and destress by…
Going to Beadnell and just walking in the bay, watching the sunrises and sunsets. Reading. Watching Emmerdale.
Q: What most people don’t know about me?
I’m Scottish.
Q: If I didn’t do my current job, I’d like to be…
A personal shopper.
