Name: Kate Taylor
Company: DSG Chartered Accountants
Position: Audit Partner
What do you actually do day-to-day? A main part of my day is spent advising and supporting owner managed businesses on a whole host of corporate and personal challenges and issues that they face as they navigate being in business. I do also dedicate a significant amount of my time in mentoring, nurturing and developing the team around me, which I feel is very important.
Have you ever had a mentor? If so, who? Yes, I have had many amazing mentors throughout my career as part of the Leadership Development programme that I undertook with The Leadership Trust, Neil Jurd was a stand out. Frank Murphy was another stand out, as my daily mentor for over 18 years, sharing his accumulated wisdom with me.
Does money motivate you? Doing nice things, travelling and enjoying life motivates me and to do these things you obviously need money so I would say not directly no but indirectly yes.
What has been the most important event in your working life? Qualifying as an accountant was a pivotal point in my career and one that has enabled me to build upon this achievement and get to where I am today.
Who do you most admire? It is often said that our parents are our first teachers, and this could not be more true. I have a huge amount of admiration for my parents for their unwavering support throughout my career to date, from an early age they made me believe that you can achieve the unachievable if you put your mind to it and work hard. Their work ethic and kindness and setting an example from an early age has ingrained in me the core values of perseverance, tenacity and commitment that has enabled me to get to where I am today.
What does leadership mean to you? To me personally, I feel it is about being inspired and inspiring others and empowering them through fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment.
What’s your favourite TV programme? Anything to do with travel or food, I really enjoyed the Gordon, Gino & Fred’s Road Trip series.
How do you relax? Nothing better than waking before the rest of the house and sitting and having that first coffee of the morning in peace, bliss!
Fry up or healthy smoothie? Life is all about balance, so they say, and I do enjoy both!
Pub or club? Definitely pub.
Gym or countryside walk? Countryside walks – nothing better than getting out in the fresh air and blowing those cobwebs away!
Favourite piece of music? Anything by Bruce Springsteen.
Flannels or Florence & Fred? I love retail therapy – it doesn’t really matter to me about the label it is more about the style, look and quality.
Birkdale or Birkenhead? Being from the north end of the city I definitely have to go with Birkdale.