Power 50 Publication - Flipbook - Page 20
Page 20
Anupa White
Sarah Yeats
Liz Zutshi
Director, Principal Global Events
Managing Director, Sledge
Managing Director, TTA
After graduating with a business
management and marketing degree,
Anupa joined a travel firm in a marketing
role, responsible for brand, partnerships,
and events. It was here she met her two
business partners and in 1994, when she
was just 25, they set up Principal to market
overseas independent hotels in the UK,
before moving into events. “We’ve had
highs, some lows, made mistakes, and
made great strategic decisions which has
led the business to where it is today.”
Despite studying for a law degree in
London, a part-time job in catering during
university led Sarah to decide to pursue a
career in events. “When I landed a job in
an agency, the variety of work and
collaborative culture confirmed this was
the right fit for me, and I’ve been on the
agency side ever since. I moved to Sledge
as an account director in 2012 seeking a
new challenge and have held the role of
managing director since June 2019. I feel
empowered in my role, yet am also
passionate about empowering the team,
by driving us towards projects and clients
that suit our skill sets.”
As soon as Liz stepped foot into our
buzzing industry, she knew she was here to
stay. “I joined TTA 16 years ago in an
operational capacity, then in 2012,
following a management buy-out,
stepped up to the role of board member
and commercial director, playing an
instrumental role in advancing TTA’s vision,
innovating our services and winning new
business. In 2019, I took over the helm as
managing director.”
Most memorable moment:
A few years ago, I took part in a magazine
interview, which talked about my
experiences and life as a female leader.
After it was published, I was approached
by someone who left a high-profile
investment banking job in the city to start
a business. She was facing challenges
that I recognised so I became a mentor to
her and eventually she got her break - the
business turned around and she’s never
looked back. Taking my experience and
widening it out into other industries and
other women’s successes is something I’m
very proud of.
Proudest professional achievement:
If I were to choose one moment it would
have to be our first break, the moment you
know your hard work is about to pay off.
After going through one of the longest
procurement processes, the three stage
interviews, the role-play and to finally
winning the business against some of my
major competitors was a feeling I will
never forget.
Inspiring the next generation:
Many of our female senior team joined the
company as juniors with little experience
but they all had ambition. Our focus is to
mentor and inspire them to achieve from
there, look after their future and help them
when their personal circumstances
change. It can feel difficult, but it doesn’t
have to be, and the industry can do more
to support women during their careers.
Biggest challenge:
Leading the agency through the
pandemic. However on reflection, there
are many learnings I’ve taken away from
this experience. They’ve enhanced my
capabilities as a leader, and the team
have gained invaluable personal and
professional skills.
Proudest professional achievement:
Securing my current role as MD and
getting to run an award-winning agency
within an ever-evolving industry that I love.
Working with people that share my values
and those of Sledge and being able to
create
opportunities for them makes me very
proud.
Inspiring the next generation:
Finding ways to empower female
employees is incredibly important, and
this should begin as soon as they enter
the industry. Instead of assigning young
people to perform the tasks others
traditionally don’t want to do, it’s vital to
get them involved in the client work. They
have so much value to add, bring a fresh
perspective to the table, and are digitally
savvy. It’s key that we nurture this from the
beginning.
Most memorable moment:
TTA has provided me with memories to
last a lifetime but I’m equally grateful for
the many challenges that have supported
my ambitions to grow, learn and improve
every day. The biggest gift of all is the
ability to share these moments with all the
amazing people that I’ve been on the
journey with. I take huge satisfaction from
seeing our team succeed.
“My biggest challenge was re-entry
into the workplace following
maternity leave with my two
children.”
As a board member, I had continued to
have a degree of involvement in the
business but suddenly I had to get up to
speed with all the changes that had
occurred in my absence and re-establish
my niche. It left me questioning myself
and capability: although my commitment
to the business hadn’t lessened, my
priorities had naturally evolved, and I had
to realign my life, position, responsibilities
and boundaries to keep work and life in
harmony.
Proudest professional achievement:
Taking the reins at TTA. Outgoing MD, John
Lee, left big shoes to fill, but I came into the
role equipped with a legacy of years of
experience and an in-depth
understanding of the business and its
heritage. I believe in the “anything is
possible” vision to take TTA to the next
level.
