So, what does being an advisor to Visionpath involve?
I provide financial advice and business support. This means ensuring the company has timely and accurate financial information at its fingertips and helping to guide the company forwards and upwards. The latter is achieved by regular monthly meetings with Patrick [Visionpath’s Founder] over Zoom or in person.
What made you want to work for Visionpath?
I believe in and enjoy people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Having known Patrick since he was about 16 years old, he has always demonstrated that quality. He had a firm belief and a clear vision about what he wanted to do, and set about doing it. I also enjoy working with people who are constantly looking for ways to develop, improve and grow – and Patrick ticks all those boxes.
"I came from a fairly ordinary background and grew up in East London. I eventually became a partner in the firm I joined from school. It was only then I discovered that I had been taken on as a bit of an ‘experiment’!"
What’s the best part of your job?
That’s easy: seeing something or someone flourish where, hopefully, you have played a part.
What’s your personal experience of social inequality?
Actually, it’s the opposite, but I thought I would share this as a good example of why equality and diversity are so important. I came from a fairly ordinary background and grew up in East London. I eventually became a partner in the firm I joined from school. It was only then I discovered that I had been taken on as a bit of an ‘experiment’!
Apparently, I wasn’t the typical trainee – no degree, no Eton education. The partner who interviewed me said he just had a sense, a gut instinct, that this lad from Walthamstow had something – and, of course, he was right!
"We all know something different to everybody else and, by creating teams of mixed social backgrounds, you’re likely to find more worthwhile ideas on the table."
Why do you think businesses are mad to miss out on socially diverse talent?
Without doubt, mixed teams – with varying backgrounds and abilities – bring so much more to the table and usually produce more successful outcomes. We all know something different to everybody else and, by creating teams of mixed social backgrounds, you’re likely to find more worthwhile ideas on the table.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Be confident in your own ability. It’s better to get something 80% or 90% right and get on with it, rather than striving for perfection. Learn to say “no” or “I disagree.”
What do you love to do outside of work?
The two Fs: Fitness and Family. The former has become harder due to COVID and not being as young as I used to be! The latter is as strong as it has always been.
Here at Visionpath, we do what we do because we want all young people – no matter their background – to start their career on an equal footing. And because we know that, right now, businesses are missing out on a wealth of untapped talent.
Want to find out what Visionpath can do for you? Get in touch.
