Her hobbies are art appreciation, reading, walking and cooking. After turning 60 this month, she is planning a career break and will step down from her main PR duties with Epson and long-standing client Heidelberg by the end of September. 

What is your nickname? 

Old Bean. I am notorious for being 100% hopeless at names so I greet everyone as ‘old bean’ which gives my brain time (sometimes) to recall who I am talking to 

Why did you get into printing? 

By accident – truly. I am the fifth generation of my family in print but I thought I had side-stepped it by going into journalism, originally writing on shipping. But at an interview for my second job I was asked if I wanted to join Newsagent or LithoWeek. I said I knew what litho was and my destiny was sealed

What would be your dream job? 

Power-blasting dirty buildings, walls, and pavements or picking up litter! 

Who would play you in a movie? 

Miranda Hart maybe?

What would you most like to print? 

Peace treaties

What is your favourite film? 

Hacksaw Ridge blew me away – was so dreading a war film but was totally humbled watching it

Sweet or savoury? 

Savoury – bring on an asparagus tart!

Who or what do you hate the most? 

Rudeness, entitlement, unfairness

Who do you admire most in the industry? 

Roy Coxhead was my editor and one time chairman of Plus Point PR. He and his wife Pat are now retired and living in Kenilworth but I still benefit from Roy’s wisdom and wit.

What is your favourite phrase or saying?

Abassynia Samoa (I’ll be seeing you some more) 

What is your favourite album? 

Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy by Elton John

What is your favourite book?

Modern reads: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles or A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Best classic: A Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Cat or dog, or…? 

My first ever dog is the adored cocker spaniel Amy and currently have two cats Jasper and Toby – don’t make me choose between them!

What is the strangest job you’ve ever done?

Putting ball bearings in nail varnish bottles on a production line at Helena Rubenstein.

Most embarrassing moment?

Where do I begin….in my 20s calling the police to say my car has been stolen from outside a church. They attended, took details and dropped me home where my car was parked outside! I had to explain I had forgotten I had walked! 

Who would be your favourite party guests?

Assuming I can bring people back from the dead – Joyce Grenfell, Nelson Mandela and Charles Dickens

What was your childhood obsession? 

My bears Honey and Cuddles (image: first book written about Honey as a child)

What is the worst kind of print? 

Bills and parking fines

What was the best business deal that you’ve pulled off? 

Securing the PR contract for Heidelberg (thank you Wolfgang Gorth) and holding on to it for 25 years

How would you like to be remembered? 

In business – honest, decent, hard-working. At home – kind, funny, welcoming. 

Life is…? 

Too short. Have dreams, make plans, take risks, create adventures.