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International Women's Day - March 8th 2021
Here at Chorley we are proud of our strong female representation within the Society. We are in fact 74% female!!
We are celebrating International Women’s Day, which is on 8 March 2021, by featuring interviews with influential female employees who embody the importance of International Women’s Day and equality in the workplace.
We are adding new interviews every day, so please do take a moment and find out more about a few of our fantastic female colleagues.
Emily Bairstow-Binns
What is your role here at the Chorley and how long have you been with us?
I am the Branch Manager for the Savings department and I have been with the Society for nearly 6 years.
What’s the best thing about working at the Chorley?
The people I work with, everyone really looks out for each other in the team.
What do you do to relax?
Walking my dog Stanley, going out for a few drinks with my partner or bingeing on reality TV.
What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?
I wanted to be a detective, I’ve always been inquisitive and loved solving problems.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I grew up mainly living with my Dad and he always showed amazing grit and resilience in challenging times which I found inspirational.
What’s the first thing you would like to do after restrictions are lifted?
My niece was born a few weeks ago so I’d go and meet her for the first time!
What three words would you closest friend use to describe you?
Independent, Trustworthy and Quick-witted
What’s the best thing about being a woman in business?
I don’t feel anything specific to being a woman in business but as a person in business the best thing for me is working in a team where you are constantly learning from each other.
If you could swap shoes with another influential person for one day, who would it be and why?
David Attenborough to see all the amazing things he has around the world.
Kim Roby
What is your role here at the Chorley and how long have you been with us?
I’m the Customer Services Director and have been here for 15 years this month (this makes me feel quite old!)
What’s the best thing about working at the Chorley?
I love the fact that no two days are the same and I work with an amazing team who make it a pleasure to come to work.
What do you do to relax?
There’s not a huge amount of time to relax with 3 children but I love walks with our puppy and going to the gym to unwind
What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?
A policewoman – this was my dream job for so long until I realised I wasn’t brave enough!
Who is your biggest inspiration?
So I’m going to steer away from famous people for this answer and instead mention 2 women I’ve met recently who were hugely inspirational. Karen Hunter and Janine Blythe both work at Inspire Youth Zone and Chorley BS have supported Inspire a lot over the past 18 months. The passion these 2 have for supporting young people and the most vulnerable in our local area is truly inspiring – I was blown away when I met them and even when things have been so tough during the pandemic they’ve dug deep and continued to lead their team and provide an amazing service. I feel privileged to be able to work with these 2 inspirational women!
What’s the first thing you would like to do after restrictions are lifted?
Have a family get together – I can’t wait for this!
What three words would you closest friend use to describe you?
This was her reply when I asked – positive, supportive, loyal
What’s the best thing about being a woman in business?
I’ve been so fortunate here at CBS to always work with a fantastic team and hugely supportive CEO to whom gender has never been relevant – the focus is always on performance, results and behaviours and therefore the best thing for me is being able to ensure that other women starting their career with us are also treated in this way and as a result have a successful and happy career.
If you could swap shoes with another influential person for one day, who would it be and why?
Kamala Harris has truly shattered a glass ceiling and so I’d love to spend a day in her shoes.
Linda Doyle
What is your role here at the Chorley and how long have you been with us?
Lending Policy and Governance Manager
What’s the best thing about working at the Chorley?
The opportunity to be involved in so many different initiatives and see a direct correlation in the work that I do and the impact that it has.
What do you do to relax?
A nice walk with my husband Ian and my dog Archie.
What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?
I wanted to be an actress or a singer in a band like Debbie Harry
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I would definitely say my mother – she had a really positive outlook and was always seeking her next adventure. She had a saying ‘Happiness is not having what you want, it is wanting what you have’ which I regularly remind myself to focus on.
What’s the first thing you would like to do after restrictions are lifted?
Go to a live concert or performance – I had just bought tickets to see Adam Lambert and Queen when the first lockdown happened which has now been delayed until 2022! Fingers crossed there will be some live events in Liverpool this summer.
What three words would you closest friend use to describe you?
Supportive, Stubborn, Fair
What’s the best thing about being a woman in business?
I cannot think of anything gender specific – I don’t think specifically of myself in these terms.
If you could swap shoes with another influential person for one day, who would it be and why?
David Attenborough so that I could sample the amazing experiences he has with animals and exploring our planet.
Angela Kos
What is your role here at the Chorley and how long have you been with us?
I have been the Finance Director since 2013, however I joined the Society in June 1999 as an Accounts Assistant which makes almost 22 years!
What’s the best thing about working at the Chorley?
The people by far! Everyone since my very first day have been warm and friendly and truly care about each other, Members and the local community/charities we support.
What do you do to relax?
Sleep! Or sometimes just sitting to watch my sons’ happiness when playing cricket or my daughter’s happiness when horse riding. I find their laughter an incredibly relaxing sound.
What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?
A Secretary, so much so my parent bought me a type writer for a Christmas present.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My younger cousin. You couldn’t imagine such adversity happening to a person in a life time, including the death of one parent, a shock broken marriage resulting in her becoming a single parent of a new born baby, followed by two separate cancer diagnosis’s and yet to be followed by the death of her remaining parent all before aged 40…..only to go on and meet her soul mate, to get married and have two more babies and continue throughout with her challenging career as a key worker, helping teenage youngsters in respite care with complex learning and health needs. My cousin has fought adversity to find happiness… I find that inspirational.
What’s the first thing you would like to do after restrictions are lifted?
Watch my children play cricket/horse ride which they are desperate to do. I can’t wait to see how happy this makes them after their first time.
What three words would you closest friend use to describe you?
Honest, loyal and trustworthy
What’s the best thing about being a woman in business?
The best thing is contributing to therefore being listened to, when making decisions that have a positive impact on Members/staff/the Society.
If you could swap shoes with another influential person for one day, who would it be and why?
The Queen, I would love to have a team of people around me who would cook for my family and keep my home immaculate and also to see what decisions she is asked to make on behalf of government/country.
Joanna Hall
What is your role here at the Chorley and how long have you been with us?
I am a Non-Executive Director and have been with The Chorley since June 2019.
What’s the best thing about working at the Chorley?
The culture and care that everyone has for each other. As a mutual, the Chorley truly walks the talk.
What do you do to relax?
Cooking, entertaining and socialising with family and friends (so very much looking forward to the end of the lockdown!)
What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?
An air hostess as it seemed very glamorous and exciting being able to travel all over the world.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My inspiration came from my grandfather. He started work at 14 and worked his way up to a senior position. He was very family oriented and would take the whole family (10 people in total) on holiday.
What’s the first thing you would like to do after restrictions are lifted?
Meet up with my friends and family – lots of barbecues and dinners together!
What three words would you closest friend use to describe you?
Optimist, Loyal, Persistent
What’s the best thing about being a woman in business?
I am not sure my answer is specific to being a woman, but for me, I love a challenge and to keep learning and improving
If you could swap shoes with another influential person for one day, who would it be and why?
Richard Branson as there would never be a dull moment!