Emma Midgley
Director of Integration and Transformation
From the day I had my first taste of leadership, I’d always had a goal, I wanted to be in a director level position by the time I was 40, and I know as you read this, you’re thinking I’ve got years! The reality is that I’ve got 263 days, not that I’m counting and it’s probably 262 by the time this is published.
Following the announcement yesterday, I achieved that goal as I was promoted to Director of Integration and Transformation for Johnnie Johnson Housing. A role I feel incredibly privileged to undertake as we bring Johnnie Johnson Housing into the Sanctuary Group.
So, what got me to this point….
My story
Well, I’m here to share the perspective of someone who didn’t go down the traditional route of finding the career for them, if I’m being truthful, from the age of 11 I genuinely believed I was going to be running for Team GB in the Olympics every four years, so when that didn’t work out, I was honestly a little bit stuck. I did okay at school, but I know I could have done better, if I’d just focused that little bit more. As a result of not knowing what I wanted to do and also not being brave enough to tell my Mum and Dad I wasn’t that up for college, I rushed into picking something because I thought I had to and that was to go to college to train to be a physiotherapist.
The problem was ,I didn’t love it, I didn’t even like it that much and as a result I ended up dropping out and getting my first full time job. As with many 18 year olds, I loved the money and the independence of having a job but I constantly kept thinking about what my plan was! I progressed into various administration roles, until I somehow ended up in sales. It was for a charity so it wasn’t sales as you may think but I quickly progressed and ended up leading the team. I started to step more away from sales as my team were steaming ahead and I focused more on promotion, which is where I discovered my passion for marketing and communications. I felt a spark and at the age of about 24 I finally thought, ah now I have a plan!
I love making a difference and an impact, I love it even more when I have the opportunity to help others achieve and thrive, I love to see people realise their full potential and do well. That is what makes me want to get out of bed in the morning and what helps me drift off to sleep at night (well that and the fact I’m genuinely shattered).
So, my plan, task one, get a degree in something you love, so I did, through the ages of 25-28 I studied in my own time, whilst working a full-time job to get my degree in Leadership and Management.
Finding your motivation
After many late night and social life sacrifices, I submitted my very last assignment at around 6pm on 11th March 2014 and by 8pm on 12th March 2014, a little over 24 hours later, I became a Mum to a gorgeous little girl called Sofia, who is now about to become 10!
So more motivation hit me, I want to show my little girl that you can achieve what you want, as long as you put the work in, so whilst on maternity leave, I set about on my hunt for the next job and that’s where my story with Johnnie Johnson Housing begins. I joined Astraline as the Marketing Manager and it was a big learning curve for me, not just because I was learning a new business and sector but with an 8 month old baby at home, I was experiencing the very real feeling of “mum guilt” it’s real, it’s terrible, but you do learn to handle it and bat it off because you are doing what is right for you and your family.
We talk a lot about opportunities at JJH, and believe me when I say it, I have been given my fair share. Within about 18 months of being with Astraline, I was asked to run marketing and communications for both JJH and Astraline, which of course I jumped at!
A few years into that role and another little girl arrived in my life, Lylah, soon to be six. I was really worried about my career when I was pregnant with my second child, and I can’t really tell you why, but I decided whilst pregnant that it was a great opportunity to study again and actually get my marketing and communications qualifications, again fuelled by wanting to be the best for myself and family and boost my future career prospects. My qualification was funded by JJH just again shows how much they value and develop their people.
Appreciating the opportunities ahead
So, two Chartered Institute of Marketing Diplomas, later, yes you read right, I didn’t think one was enough, so I did two. I was back off maternity leave later in 2018 and feeling great. In 2019 I was promoted to Head of Transformation and Communications. It was a real first for housing to bring their change and communications roles together but one that I think has hugely paid off for JJH over the past four years.
In 2021 I secured another opportunity to join the My Exec programme, the first of its kind for JJH and I was lucky enough to be on the first cohort, as a result of this – I got another opportunity and became the Assistant Director of Customer Experience, Communications and Change. A role that has challenged me, changed me, made me better and immensely grow my knowledge and skillset.
Fast forward to today and I sit here both as a director and a busy mum of two, who is just trying to get through this crazy thing called life. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to be where I am and I know I’m here, because of a few key things:
- My husband is incredibly supportive and encouraging, as is the rest of my family, especially my own inspiration, my mum who I genuinely couldn’t do any of this without.
- My children push me, even though they don’t know it, to get up and be the best version of myself every day.
- I make time for me – it’s important, sometimes you need to be a little bit selfish – I make the gym a priority – without this my wellbeing isn’t where it needs to be and that’s no good for anyone.
- I’ve been privileged to be surrounded by some incredible women throughout my career, most of them at JJH – they know who they are!
So, there you have it, not your usual story but it’s mine. But to everyone mentioned, I say thank you to being part of my story.
If you take anything away from reading this or you simply don’t have the time, here’s my exec summary:
- Say yes to any opportunity that excites you, grab it, learn it later!
- Your way is the right way for you!
- Learn to love change, it’s not going anywhere.
- Do new things – it’s fun and can open doors you never knew were there.
I value networking so feel free to find me on LinkedIn and connect.