Category: Sugarman News

It’s International Women’s Day this Friday 8th March and to show our support, we are featuring some fantastic women across the Sugarman Group business every day this week.

Our colleagues are sharing their experiences of work, their inspirations and talking about their career journey.

Today we feature Karen McCormack, Manager of Sugarman International.

What is your current role & what does it entail?

I am the Manager or our International Team. Our team supports Medical Professionals to move to the UK or Australia and secure employment within our wide client base. As our business grows we want to be the gateway agency that supports businesses to find talent throughout the globe and build an international community of professionals that we can place in varying locations and sectors.

Where did your career begin?

During university I worked in Marks and Spencer which gave me my first insight into the value of customer service and how integral it is in any sector. In order to succeed in any role you must value people and strive to offer a unique service that sets you apart from the rest. Following my Masters Degree in International Management I moved to Australia and wanted to apply these values in a business that is renowned for its quality service to all parties involved!

How have you found being a woman, working in your sector?

Within my sector specifically a large percentage of the Health Professionals are women and especially at those senior levels of Management within Australia – so it is highly motivating!

What are the current challenges for women in your sector?

Finding a work life balance in a demanding Medical sector. These health professionals are sometimes unable to work part time or shorter hours given the increasing demand- it can be difficult to manage full time work with family !

What advice would you give someone looking to start working in your sector?

Within the Recruitment or Medical sectors both warrant a strong work ethic and can be demanding to say the least. Being determined, hardworking and valuing people will allow you to succeed in any walk of life! Jump at opportunities presented to you even if unsure – your career is a journey that you control!

Would that advice be any different to a woman?

Nope exactly the same – but do it in a fabulous pair of heels!

Which women in the media inspire you?

Amal Clooney, Meghan Markle and Jacinda Ardern.

Who has inspired you growing up/throughout your life?

Varying people – My grandparents and parents! My grandad in particular was honoured with a medal for bravery and courage in the Siege of Jadotville. I have always been encouraged to be brave, work hard and strive for success in every walk of life!!

It’s International Women’s Day this Friday 8th March and to show our support, we are featuring some fantastic women across the Sugarman Group business every day this week.

Our colleagues are sharing their experiences of work, their inspirations and talking about their career journey.

Today we feature Karen Fleming, Business Development Manager at Sugarman Health & Wellbeing.

What is your current role & what does it entail?

I am currently Business Development Manager at Sugarman Health & Wellbeing. My role is centered around bringing on new business and looking after our current business to maximise the potential we have with each client.

Where did your career begin?

My career began after leaving school back in 1978, it wasn’t common back then to go into further education, you just left school and went out to work. I have taken a few years off in that time to have and raise a family.

How have you found being a woman, working in your sector?

Being a female in the recruitment industry is much easier to progress up the career ladder; I came from a finance background that was a lot more male oriented and harder for women to progress in their career.

What are the current challenges for women in your sector?

I haven’t really come across any challenges within this industry. I have found that as long

as you are passionate about what you do and you care about the end result, recruitment

can be a great path to follow, I only wish I had found that out years ago.

Is enough being done in the UK/Australia to promote women in the workplace?

Within Sugarman Health and Wellbeing I have found that women are treated equally and give the same opportunities as our male counterparts.

What advice would you give someone looking to start working in your sector?

I would say “Go for it, work hard and enjoy the challenges it brings”

Which women in the media inspire you?

Theresa May currently as she is facing an impossible situation – she is damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t; she inherited a decision that was not her making. I also admire our Queen still working at her age albeit not too much nowadays, she has served our country and the commonwealth to the best of her ability.

Who has inspired you growing up/throughout your life?

My mum was the most inspirational woman I have known, she was never afraid of hard work, she never said a bad word about anybody, she was there when she was needed, she was the foundation to our family. I am just sorry that she cant see me now as a successful independent woman that has raised 3 children who now has her own grandchildren. My mum instilled the strong family values I have today.

It’s International Women’s Day this Friday 8th March and to show our support, we are featuring some fantastic women across the Sugarman Group business every day this week.

Our colleagues are sharing their experiences of work, their inspirations and talking about their career journey.

Today we feature Danielle Secker, Executive Assistant at Sugarman Group.

What is your current role & what does it entail

Executive Assistant – My role entails a bit of everything to be honest, I always get lost when people ask what I do because it’s such a varied role, no day is the same! I guess the overall way to describe it would be providing executive support to the Senior Management Team and overseeing the Office Management in Fenchurch St.

Where did your career begin (e.g Apprenticeship, College, Uni)?

My career actually started a couple days after I left school! I’d applied to go and study sports at college but took a summer job at the business where my Auntie and Mum worked (also did my work experience here). Two days before I was due to start college they offered me a full time job so I decided to take the job instead of going to college, I don’t regret that decision one bit!  I remember looking at the EA’s in that business and thinking, that’s what I want to do! And look now….!

How have you found being a woman, working in your sector?

I worked in Financial Services for years before I came into Recruitment, I find Recruitment is a lot more diverse than Financial Services in terms of the male to female ratio. Sugarman / Cordant in fact, probably has more women in Senior roles than any other business I have worked in, however, I do believe there is still work to be done to become more equal.

What are the current challenges for women in business/society?

Although I do think the times are changing and women are starting to be respected and heard more, there are still every day challenges. I think women are still judged on image, much more than men, this is something I have personally felt for a long time and still do now.  We have to be more conscious of what we wear or how we do our make up etc, this is not just at work but in everyday life.

I think it would be fair to say that at some point in our lives we have been made to believe or feel that men are stronger and more dominant than women but as I mentioned above, times are changing and I think people’s mindsets are starting to change on this!

Which women have inspired you throughout your life?

To be honest, (and this may sound a little cliche), my inspirations have never been ‘famous’ women, my inspirations have always been more close to home.  From a career perspective, when I was growing up I used to always say ‘I want to be a business woman like Auntie Lisa’. She was one of very few Senior Directors in the business I worked for in my first job and she held her own! I am sure she has (and was at the time) facing the struggles that all women in business face but she came across so strong that you wouldn’t have even known – that to me is really powerful and I admire her for that. On a more personal side, my Grandma was always someone I aspired to be like, such a selfless person who lived for her family, she put everyone before herself and was just a genuine happy and caring person (I also get my love for gin from her!)