Last updated 12:04, Monday, 18 August 2008

TELL us a little about yourself?

I was born at Wegberg, Germany and I live in Barrow. I enjoy doing outdoor activities, I have no issue with getting muddy or wet and quite like adventure. But I also enjoy shopping and it doesn’t even have to be for me, I love going shopping for others, and I enjoy going with friends or even on my own. I love watching films, in the cinema or just a night in on the sofa. I have recently started to enjoy reading again.

What was you first job?

Sales assistant in the home department of Debenhams, in Harrogate.

What other career/s might you have liked?

Property developer is still an aspiration I have, but I also wanted to be a lawyer.

What is your current job and what gives you satisfaction in doing it?

I currently work directly for Murray Easton which is an amazing opportunity. Each day is different and there is always a lot happening which is why I love it, I am never bored and always have plenty to do. I am also given a fair amount of responsibility and am currently involved in some interesting projects that will hopefully make a difference to the business and the community.

The yard builds some pretty lethal machines – any qualms about that?

Unfortunately given the current climate there is a need for the UK to ensure that its armed forces are equipped with the technology that enables them to defend the country. I feel much safer knowing the country I live in is able to protect itself and even deter some of the threats that the world is facing today. Ideally mankind would live together in harmony but that isn’t the case so we have to be realistic and be able to protect ourselves.

Are you in the Women’s Network at the yard and if so what purpose does it serve?

I am a member of the Women’s Network and we are just about to produce our first annual report, which highlights our vision and objectives, including providing a supportive platform to share ideas/experiences and encourage women to make the most of the opportunities available. The network has been very helpful to me – I joined the company last September and everyone within the network has been very supportive and it has been a great way for me to get to know other people around the business I would not normally have got to know. Being an active team member has also enabled me to contribute to a team of people who have made a real difference to the business.

What do you think of the Love Barrow campaign to talk up the town?

I like it and hopefully it will help promote the town in a more positive light as it does receive a lot of bad press. Hopefully it will also encourage people to take pride in their town and pull together to improve the areas that need improving.

Your favourite website/s?

Facebook is a good website for keeping in touch with friends, I also like shopping online. I much prefer browsing around the shops but when I’m looking for something in particular I tend to use the internet.

What firms/organisations do you most admire?

I really like the Body Shop, not only do I love their products but to think it started off in a bath tub and grew into the large empire that it is today is pretty remarkable. I have a lot of admiration for Anita Roddick too, who set up the shop as a little money earner while her husband was away fulfilling one of his life long dreams, I also think that the Body Shop has done a lot of good over the years too.

A modern trend you don’t like?

Skinny jeans on guys – it’s just wrong. I used to work for Topshop and Topman and was horrified to see guys coming in to buy skinny jeans, it was the Baxter jeans that proved popular, then Topman started selling their own – not good!

If you were given unlimited power and cash what would you do to improve Furness?

I would start again in some areas. I would re-plan the layout of the town centre, I only go in with a purpose it doesn’t encourage me to browse. I would create greater variety of nightlife, catering to the different tastes of people living in Barrow. I would improve the housing in the town, there are some lovely buildings in and around the town centre but some of them need TLC. I would provide facilities at beaches. A lot of investment is being put into the town and what I would propose is actually being done.

Do you support a Morecambe Bay bridge from Barrow to Heysham with tidal turbines to produce energy, and if so why?

I think this is a good idea, the bridge would create a passageway to Barrow which would enable those living in Barrow to work outside of the area without having a long commute and vice versa.