In my business career, as well as in other areas where I have hoped to find success measured other than in money, I have been fortunate to work and interact with some remarkable people. Many women have and continue to feature in the progress of these endeavours and have and continue to influence my attitudes and decisions.
I could, as all Jewish boys do, start with my mother, and so I will, just briefly, not least for one single statement made by her to me from the age of about six that resonates still, “You’ve got a tongue in your head, haven’t you?” she said to me when I whispered that I didn’t understand what someone meant. “Ask him” she commanded.
From then on I was never shy of asking if I didn’t understand, questioning if I wanted to challenge and attacking or defending my point of view, even at the risk of personal embarrassment or ridicule.
My career has been punctuated by some fantastic interactions with female colleagues and friends even if I had to learn to loosen any subconscious Freudian urge to compare them with my maternal benchmark!
The first managing Partner of the Law Firm I founded is a woman. Tania MacLeod, still today after over 25 years a brilliant counterweight to my impulsive tendencies, who has contributed immeasurably to success we have had, who has always devoted a seemingly bottomless supply of time to the business of the Firm, with all the aggravation that goes with it, and at the same time having a full and exhausting family life.
My first employee, was Karen Wilson, who meets every visitor still, who knows the voice of every caller and can identify them by name, who has seen my children go from tiny babies, or before, to adults with children of their own. Who would natter to my father and have a chat with my mother whenever she visits the office; who provides glue to the organisation, still after over 30 years.
Lisa Manning, who arrived aged 21 as a word processing operative (those were the days!), and is now, also after 30 years, heading a compliance team; who learnt on the job and created her own place in the team through single minded focus and an hysterical sense of humour. Also, juggling her family life with extraordinary commitment to the business of Rosenblatt.
Elizabeth now Shaw, once Larkins. Who arrived aged 19 and left only 15 odd years later. Full on, full time, full blast but sensitive and understanding when I was less than charming.
Theresa, my EA, who answers emails all day and all night, 7 days a week. I’ve lost count of the number of clients who have asked me if she ever sleeps, because whatever time zone they are in, Theresa always replies, by return!
And before Theresa, Jana, who went back to live in South Africa but still, 12 or so years later, maybe more, calls a few times a year to stay in touch.
I’m singling these people out, not because there aren’t many, many more, but because they were there when it all started and or when it was most difficult, and all have influenced me with their example and their guidance.
RBG Holdings plc that now owns Rosenblatt has a female CEO, who went round the City and floated the Company on the stock market, and who from the age of 19 was an entrepreneur who built a business to floatation and sale and who had the good sense to hire me as her lawyer in the very early days following the founding of the Firm.
Outside of law, there was Helga Schmidt, the late Doyenne of the international opera scene, without whom Rosenblatt Recitals would never have happened, and Vanessa Bowcock who involved me directly in the Labour Party and enabled me to peep into the fascinating world of politics and got me a front row seat to some events that otherwise I would have only read about in the papers.
Alex Buxton was nanny to my children from when my youngest was born 30 years ago. Whilst bringing up her daughter Ruby on her own she scolded, educated and nurtured my children and she still does. She guided Ruby through school and University at the same time and counselled and advised me on how to be better. I still have at least a weekly MOT from this oracle.
And, of course, there is Emma Kane.
Emma the professional sax player who could toot like Coltrane, but decided to get a ‘proper’ job. Who founded a communications agency from scratch, who built it and sold it to a PLC who then made her the CEO of the entire business, and which is now in six continents.
Who introduced me to the client that enabled the Firm to transform itself in 2000 into a recognised name in the City and without any knowledge of my mother’s early mantra, is a fully paid up member of the “You’ve got a tongue in your head“ Society.
I said I wasn’t going to get Freudian, and as Emma is my wife, it’s best to keep firmly away from that one!
But more than business, the example she has set to her family and colleagues and friends in her commitment to giving back and to service which is sets her apart from so many (men and women).
She Chairs the Barbican Trust, Chairs Target Ovarian Cancer and sits on the Board of the Elton John Aids Foundation. She is in demand as a thought leader, particularly in relation to women and business and in her business is a trusted adviser to a great many, yes, you’ve guessed it, MEN!
So, on International Women’s Day, I am sharing these short reflections on a few of the women that have made the difference in my life and that’s why I’m holding my hand high today.
