I hold a BSc in Computer Science from Lancaster University. From there I went on to intern at CrowdStrike before joining Darktrace, where I spent over three years — both among the largest cybersecurity companies in the world.
Now I’m branching out into a new chapter, bringing that experience into the fintech world at Finova in Manchester.
Throughout my career I have been a passionate advocate for women in tech, serving as an active member of the Women’s ERG and Network at both Darktrace and Finova — because representation matters, and community is everything.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
My love of coding started long before university. I first picked it up in Year 9, and what struck me straight away was how naturally it came to me. Being dyslexic, written English was always more of a challenge, but code? Code followed its own logic, and that logic just made sense to me. I thrived in a way I hadn’t expected. I went on to study it at GCSE, then college, and then took it all the way through to a Computer Science degree.
From there I went straight into Darktrace, based in Cambridge, where I spent three and a half years growing as an engineer after graduating.
The move to Finova was partly planned and partly a happy surprise. I knew I wanted to relocate to Manchester and had started looking around, but Finova actually found me. A recruiter reached out, and the timing just clicked. So while the desire for a new chapter was very much intentional, Finova coming into my life the way it did was one of those moments where the right opportunity finds you when you’re ready for it.
What are the key roles in your field, and why did you choose your current expertise?
Software engineering spans a huge range of disciplines, front-end, back-end, full-stack, DevOps, and more. I’ve moved through a few of them, which I think has made me a stronger engineer overall.
I started my career as a full-stack developer, then pivoted to specialise in UI for a few years. Now I’m deliberately branching back out into full-stack work, not because I’m unhappy where I was, but because I want to push my own boundaries and become a more well-rounded engineer. Staying comfortable is the enemy of growth.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Two things, both connected. The first is building the confidence to step into a leadership role on UI projects, and that didn’t happen overnight. It was built through the relationships I cultivated with my teams, PMs, backend engineers, designers, learning how to bring those different disciplines together into one well-oiled unit. Over time I became someone the team could depend on, someone who took real ownership. That shift from contributor to trusted leader is something I’m genuinely proud of.
The second is the decision to join Finova. I took a role that I knew would stretch me beyond what I felt fully confident in, greenfield work, broader engineering scope, because I made a deliberate choice not to stay where it was easy. That took courage, and I’m proud of myself for backing myself when it mattered.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing professionally? Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties, and how did you overcome them?
Oh, absolutely, 100%. At college, I was the only woman on my Computer Science course. From the very first day, the judgement was there. I walked into my first class and was told “Health and beauty is on the floor above, love.” That set the tone for a lot of what followed, assumptions, exclusion, being underestimated by classmates and even a lecturer. But I didn’t let it stop me.
And it hasn’t always stopped there. When women in tech are given opportunities, there’s often someone nearby whispering that they’re just “ticking a box.” I’ve heard it, and so have colleagues of mine.
But here’s what I also know to be true: it is not all bad, and not everyone is against you. Some of my closest and most valued friendships have been forged at work, including with brilliant men who have been genuinely in my corner. When I entered the professional world, I found people who championed me, mentored me, pushed me to become a better developer, and put me forward for more responsibility even when I didn’t feel ready for it. That kind of support changes you.
What I’ve learned is this: you can’t control what people assume about you, but you can control how you respond. You push through. You show up. You prove them wrong, not for them, but for yourself. Nobody gets to hold you back from something you’ve earned the right to be part of. The tough skin you build in those moments becomes one of your greatest professional assets.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Any advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed? Any advice for women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
You are more capable than you know. The future feels daunting because it’s unknown, not because you can’t handle it.
Find your community. Seek out groups like Women in Tech, Women ERGs within your company, and platforms like this one. Draw strength from the women who have come before you and shown that it is absolutely possible. Let their stories remind you of your own potential.
And above all, remember it’s not a race. Take it one step at a time, stay true to yourself, and you will reach what you’ve set your heart on. I genuinely believe that.
