WE’RE THE CHANGE MAKERS!

As the world of work shifts and evolves, so do the people within it. GH meets four remarkable women who are all shaping the future

GH meets four women who are using technology to shape the future

‘We all have the power to set our own agendas’

WAmy Golding has always aimed high, and at 33 she is CEO of an international tech recruitment firm with a multi-million pound turnover.

orking in technology, people often tell me it’s surprising that I studied English at university. However, that very fact is one of the main reasons I do what I do now. For so long, we’ve been encouraged in education to pick a lane – sciences versus humanities, logic versus creativity. And yet I believe that technology is vital in all industries, and for all people. It is an enabler for everyone to do what they love, but better.

As a teenager, I was always looking for ways to make money, such as babysitting or washing cars for the neighbours. I chose to do an English degree at Cambridge because I loved the subject, and then spent a year working in journalism in China.

Back in the UK, I joined Deloitte, where I met my husband, and spent four years learning about business. I was then headhunted by James Caan, ex-dragons’ Den investor and entrepreneur, to be his personal business adviser. He made all his money in recruitment and I learned on the job, advising him on deals and buying and selling companies.

I then launched my own investment fund, before being approached to join Opus Talent Solutions, becoming CEO in 2017. I am proud of the fact that I became the youngest female CEO of a $100m (around £76m) turnover company in the UK.

Opus helps companies to build teams in the technology and energy sectors. We focus on recruitment and training to fix the skills gap in these industries, which is critical to our future.

Day to day, I am very focused, constantly looking towards the next decision. But when I sit back and reflect on how far I’ve come, I do have moments of total fear, when I think, ‘How and why did I end up here?’ For me this feeling of imposter syndrome stems from the fact that I’ve never taken the easy or obvious path. However, I am determined to channel those feelings into what I do now, which is trying to break down this idea that there are specific paths for specific people. So many people are afraid of technology because it can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be.

In the UK, we are already more than 1m people short with the required tech skills, and this is set to multiply over the next 10 years. Opus was profiting from the skills shortage, but we weren’t doing anything about it. That’s why, in October 2018, I launched a 12-week training programme that takes people of all ages from all educational paths and teaches them how to code. We’ve taught people who have worked in property, in warehouses, people with English and other creative degrees; even a professional poker player. We have a 100% track record of students completing the course, and I’m proud to say 95% have already commenced their tech careers.

I’m really passionate about what I do and love networking. However, my husband and I are expecting our first child, so I am making sure I factor in downtime. If you enjoy your work, it’s hard to know where the line is. In terms of being a working mum returning to the workforce, my industry is brilliantly flexible, and I am able to work from anywhere, which will be a huge help when it comes to juggling motherhood with my career. With technology at our fingertips, we all have the power to set our own agendas.

I’m trying to break down this idea that there are specific paths for specific people