EDITOR’S NOTE
Ihope you’ll agree there’s some great reading in this issue, but I’d particularly like to highlight one feature – our We’re At The Top Of Our Game interviews (p48) with three women who are leaders in their respective fields. I think each story about their routes to the top is fascinating, while their warmth, openness and honesty is refreshing. ‘My best has to be good enough,’ says City trailblazer Helena Morrissey, who confesses ‘combining motherhood and a career hasn’t been plain sailing’. She acknowledges that she doesn’t have all the answers and makes no apology for being a ‘feminine’ leader. ‘I try to build consensus, be empathetic and listen to others,’ she says. I think a lot of us women can identify with the experiences of Helena, as well as Bobbie Cheema-grubb and Jo Malone. Each confesses to weaknesses, mistakes or mishaps, but they’re proof of the incredible resilience of women and that determination and trying your best is good enough.
The same can be said of our cover star Prue Leith, who, at 78, remains a force of nature! Age is just a number and I wouldn’t normally mention it – except that Prue bounced around at our photoshoot with so much energy that the rest of us struggled to keep up. When I asked what the secret to her vitality was, she replied, ‘I’m in a really happy place.’ Having a fulfilling career is part of this but Prue also says she feels lucky to have found new love later in life.
Love is such a vital emotion, isn’t it? As writer Katherine Baldwin prepares to marry for the first time aged 48 (p68), she explains she may be nostalgic about letting go of her single self, but she’s thrilled to have discovered true companionship. Meanwhile, novelist Amanda Brookfield’s wonderful piece about falling for Mabel (p52) – a golden doodle – reveals that falling in love with a dog can be just as transformational! I defy you to read it and not be just a little tempted to consider welcoming a puppy into your life…
I hope you enjoy this issue and I look forward to you joining me next month for the countdown to Christmas!
PS You can join Prue on an exclusive GH culinary river cruise through France – turn to p22 for details.