Victoria Hatfield: Economy & Enterprise Manager, Exeter City Council
Biggest professional achievement to date
Being one of the leading officers at the City Council to deliver Rugby World Cup 2015, was an experience and privilege. This event was led by a team of female officers, all working together on different aspects of the event, to ensure it was delivered on time and was a great experience for all.
Most profound, life-changing, business moment
Being line managed by Karime Hassan, the Chief Executive of Exeter City Council. He has provided me with the ability, confidence and space to make decisions for the greater good of the city. He has enabled me to have a voice in the City Council and the city of Exeter, which, in some instances, is a male dominated environment. Karime is a visionary and inspirational speaker, which is highly infectious; you just want to be on the journey with him.
Which book has had the greatest influence on your life?
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young. As a woman from humble beginnings, I used to (and sometimes still do) feel as though…do I really belong here? Do I deserve it? Hell yes! I have worked my arse off to get where I am today and deserve to be where I am. This book has helped me realise that I don’t need to feel like an imposter.
“Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter”
100 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2018
Grow Exeter Magazine launched the ‘100 Most Influential Women 2018’ in Exeter and the region in December 2017 and we received around 500 nominations for influential women from all walks of life; our panel was spoilt for choice and hard-pressed to select only 100 from the talented nominees that they viewed. The Launch of the ‘100 Most Influential Women’ awards in 2018 has perhaps even more value than in any other year as it was just 100 years ago that the first woman was granted the right to vote in the UK.
Women have truly shown that they can shine in any environment, whether that be in the boardroom, teaching our children, climbing mountains, navigating uncharted waters, they can do anything that they set their mind to and we can’t wait to celebrate our own talented 100.
Honouring women in our March edition of Grow Exeter fell in line with International Women’s Day on the 8th March and the 100 finalists have each been featured in this special edition. To see the 100 finalists individually featured, please grab a copy of our March edition by ordering through the link below. We will be publishing each woman online throughout March and April so keep an eye on our Facebook page or website for their stories.
A huge congratulations to everyone nominated and to the #100WomenExeter, you are all amazing!
