Taking to the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) autumn conference stage, sharing my career journey and the significant change in me since being on the ADEPT leadership development programme resonated with so many, it seems appropriate to share my story to a wider audience.

I didn't arrive by accident on the programme. After a career punctuated by incidents of frustration from being overlooked for promotions, a lack of feedback and exposure to senior discussions and not having anyone I could professionally identify with, I saw the programme's email shine like a beacon in my inbox.