TGtS Meets...Karen Davison - International Women's Day Special

C&D's Managing Director, Karen Davison speaks out about why she thinks girls should seek success in the boardroom rather than the on the arm of a footballer.

Which woman would you compare yourself to?

I've never compared myself to another woman, but I do believe you should make the most of what you're born with. Life lessons are learned along the way, as they do not come naturally. I always remember the classic saying, “If I only knew then… what I know now”.

As we live through our life experiences, we begin to understand ourselves more fully by noticing how we feel and behave in different situations, and this continual learning and development doesn’t really ever stop…I guess I am more interested in the woman I am and will become in the future.

What would you say is your most valuable skill and why?

Creating loyalty, as I absolutely love and believe in everything we stand for and do. It rubs off on everyone around me, they tend to stick around, and working with likeminded people is inspirational.

Why do you think it's important to have an International Women's Day?

To focus young womens’ aspirations to develop a can do approach to their careers. It would be great to divert attention away from that instant search for fame or to become a WAG.

Do you have family (and/or children)? How do you maintain a work/life balance?

Yes, two teenage boys. It’s very tough, but I’m much better at it now than I used to be. I plan ahead as much as possible, so if I need to be out of work for them I will, and then catch up with work in the evenings. The workplace is more familiar these days with family life. My mother has been an absolute angel, and without her help, I couldn’t have managed.

Have you ever had to give up or miss out on anything in order to pursue your career?

I think my personal relationships suffered through my dedication to my career and putting my business first, and I suspect I was quite impossible to understand or live with at times.

Do you ever experience any discrimination in the work place because of your gender?

Up until I was 30 definitely, I had to fight to be taken seriously, but that may also have been down to my own inexperience and immaturity in business. Following on into my 30’s I felt confident and on a par with any male in my field.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to fellow females looking to get into your profession?

Dress conservatively, be persistent, don’t try to emulate a man, but at the same time don’t flutter your eyelashes…stand up for what you believe in and be counted.

Do men ever feel intimidated by your success?

Not that I have taken seriously, although there have been times when it’s been said to me. I would say I have been underestimated at times, which has given me a distinct advantage.

If you could have dinner with 5 inspirational women dead or alive, who would they be?

Margo Fontane, Nadia Comaneci, Madonna, Cleopatra and Indira Ghandi.

As a successful female, where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

Well, that is a very tough question… I can’t imagine giving up C&D as I love what I do, however to have more personal time on my hands would be my goal. I am currently building my talented senior management team, who I hope will have that same drive and desire to become the next C&D board of directors, growing and running C&D with a little less input from me on a daily basis. I hope to be still playing challenging netball, practising yoga and watching my teenage sons turn into talented young gentlemen.