I studied law at university but after working for a solicitor for two summers realised it was not for me. But I liked labour law and wanted to get more practical experience of the theory, so a job with a car manufacturer like Ford appealed. I worked for Ford for 28 years.

My first job after university was as a personnel officer at the Dagenham engine plant. Five years later, after holding several other roles, I became the HR manager for the assembly plant. I was responsible for about 5,000 people during a time of pretty heavyweight industrial relations.