2016 in review: Lisa Cawdron, Willmott Dixon
Lisa Cawdron of Willmott Dixon looks back at the last 12 months.
What has been your highlight of the year?
Joining Willmott Dixon Construction of course! After over 20 years of working in the legal world, I’m finding working in a new sector really refreshing. Willmott Dixon has the best of both worlds – whilst we are one of the UK’s largest privately owned contracting, residential development and property support companies with a £1 billion turnover, the way we are set up means we have a network of local offices, each with its own MD, so benefit from a close-knit local team feel. Everyone has made me very welcome.
And your lowlight?
Struggling to choose a personal lowlight (save for being served with a jury summons in my first week of starting my new job!) but plenty of wider ones that we will all remember – uncertainty caused by Brexit, terrorist attacks and the loss of some icons such as David Bowie, Prince, Terry Wogan, Victoria Wood, Ronnie Corbett and Leonard Cohen.
How do you think 2016 will be remembered?
Worldwide by Brexit and Trump; in my world by GB women hockey team winning Gold at the Rio Olympics and igniting a family-wide passion for hockey – I returned to the game of hockey after a 16 year absence and my 12-year old daughter and 10-year old son are now both playing hockey at school and for West Bridgford Hockey Club.
Hero of the year (business or otherwise)?
It has to be the chair of the charity that I am a Trustee of – Steve Hampson, who had the idea about three years ago to set up a local charity called the Star Trust. As a result of Steve’s idea and his hard work ever since, we have a great committee of volunteers and have raised £330,000 to date and helped 32 small Charities based in the East Midlands. Our annual ball which took place in November raised £130,000 from one night alone and benefited three really worthwhile local charities. If any of you know any Charities based in the East Midlands that are looking for funding, please refer them to our website: http://www.star-trust.org.uk/
And villain(s)?
Everyone involved in the US presidential election campaign!
What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
I hadn’t made one but this has prompted me to give it some thought and it’s to make every effort to attend hockey training whatever the weather and however tired I feel.
