Who I Am

What is a Purple Squirrel?

A purple squirrel is a term used in recruitment to describe a job candidate who is an ideal fit for a position. The term is a metaphor that suggests how rare it is to find a candidate with all the right skills and experience.

What makes a purple squirrel?

A purple squirrel has the exact education, experience, and skills needed for the job

They have the right personality traits and other qualifications

They can perform the job with little to no training

They are innovative, have a strong mix of skills, and can produce outstanding results

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Strengths of a Purple Squirrel

Extremely innovative

Great mix of skills, education and experience

Strong on implementation – they make it happen

See possibilities where others see problems

Produce outstanding results

Can have a huge impact on growth

Why am I a Purple Squirrel?

I am a Purple Squirrel because I can fit perfectly into your business.

I provide the missing piece that you need in your business, whether that is a voice of reason, a sounding board, an advisor, a board member, or just a resource to find information.

I have the knowledge, experience and skills to help you to grow your business in the right way.

What is my background?

I have worked extensively in the UK, Europe and North America in my various Corporate roles as Finance Director and Senior Internal Auditor for multi-national listed companies, mainly in the manufacturing and Aerospace Industries. I have also taken on Interim Finance Director roles, in order to help businesses get back on track, either from a control, organisational or reporting perspective. I am experienced in writing processes and policies, having implemented Sarbanes Oxley and FCA compliance in both the USA and the UK, along with setting up KPI decks and management accounting packs for monthly, quarterly and annual business control and decision-making.

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Why do I do what I do?

One of the big issues in running a business for many people is that you didn't set up your business because you wanted to be a business person. Most people set up their business because they are good at the “doing” thing that they do – making widgets, or providing a service.

When you start up or run a business, you don’t know what you don’t know. After all, how are you supposed to know all about finance if you haven’t been trained in it? How are you expected to know where to find all the HMRC requirements, or all the reporting rules for a Limited company, or simply, be able to talk through a difficult decision if you work alone?

Purple Squirrel Business Coach Derby

I am passionate about helping other business owners to be able to understand their business in the right way, so that they can continue to make the right decisions at the right times. With over 30 years’ experience both in corporate businesses, and setting up and running small businesses, I can help other business owners to navigate through the difficult and sometimes complicated paths of being in business. I can translate the language of finance into plain English, and help point people in the right direction to find out all the information they need to grow and thrive.

I spent a long time working for large, multi-national corporations, and when I left that world, my overriding goal was to make a difference for actual business owners, rather than putting money into the pockets of another faceless organisation. So that is why I spend my time teaching, coaching and mentoring small business owners to be the best they can be. It makes a difference.