🐣I am a Northerner (it even says so on my shirt). I grew up in Stockton-on-Tees.
❤️Stockton is home to one of the oldest markets in England. To the world’s first steam-powered locomotive passenger railway. To the inimitable delicacy that is the “parmo” (though Middlesbrough would rightly fight us for that accolade). And to some of the most resilient, generous and quick-witted people you could ever hope to meet.
👥 But not many people have heard of Stockton. Or, if they have, they are often more likely to know us for what we don’t have than for what we give in spades. Perhaps they have watched a depiction of my town on Benefits Street or read tales of one of the poorest places in the country. It’s, at best, a partial picture and it makes me sad.
📚I was the first in my family to go to uni, I worked my little backside off at my state Comp. and got into University of Cambridge (where I was promptly given the nickname “Stockton” - alongside my new bestie, Sarah Wilder or “Romford” - our accents became our identity but, don’t worry, we absolutely owned it like a superpower💥), became a lawyer, a partner in a City Law Firm, a gobby champion of diversity, equity and inclusion. Yay me. But make no mistake, I didn’t “beat the odds” or “escape my circumstances”. I AM my circumstances. I am who and where I am because of my background and my experiences - not in spite of them. And I am ever grateful for this. And proud.
🚫Why am I telling you all this!? Because where I am, where any of us is, is defined not just by what we do (work hard, play the game, be a good person) but also by where we start (with money, with family, with health, with education). For me this is the definition of privilege - the barriers which a person does not face - the absence is the privilege. And that’s why we all have privilege in some way - some of us much, much more than others.
🙌🏻For my part, I have the privilege of being white, being educated, being non-disabled, having a family who gave me the freedom and support to dream about a career completely outside of my frame of reference, teachers who saw potential (and gave those extra lessons outside of the timetable - thank you Mrs Wilkinson), colleagues and clients who value what I bring, my husband Richard Thomson who shares the load 50:50 (and the rest #lol).
🫶🏻This #SocialMobilityDay I wanted to recognise all these people (and many more) who have lifted me up along the way and all the people who lift up and support others to reach their potential. And, if you’ll allow me, I wanted to encourage anyone who has read this far (thank you!) to find those ways to clear the path for others wherever you can.
👏 There are too many of those to mention so I’m just going to pick one brilliant Stocktonian who has dedicated his career to lifting up some of the most marginalised people in our town - James Hadman. You’re a hero.
#stockton #teesside
Regional Vice President - Europe and Kenya
3moCongratulations to Jon. Tim, Elvis, Denise, Gordon, Ali, Matt, Adam, Nick, Renhe, Paul, Jerry, Kate and Helen on reaching these key milestones. Thank you for everything you have done for Fosroc, we appreciate it greatly.