My story: I used to apply for jobs as Mandy Gill when I was 18 to get to an interview. It worked to get me in the door, but I got rejected once I got to the interview. I then dyed more dark hair blonde and got a job and my mother was called Betty for the next six months.

Eventually, I caught a real break after I decided, like many people from BME backgrounds, to set up my own business to better channel my talents. In the late 80s I secured a role with Leicester City Council as part of a positive action trading programme, which propelled me on my way.