A life in 15 questions

Heather Ashton

Thirteen Group’s Executive Director of Business Change and Improvement reveals her financial background, her proudest moments and what she would spend £1 million on.

1. Tell us about your career and how you ended up in your current role.

Gosh, now there’s a long story! I graduated with a humanities degree and no real sense of what to do next but landed a role in the accounts team of a travel company.

Having relocated to the North East, I worked first in manufacturing and then in retail but realised I wanted to work in a sector that made a real difference and found myself in housing, which I loved then and still do now.

I had a brief period as finance director for Teesside University, but have now been back in the housing sector for the last ten years, working at Thirteen Housing Group. Throughout my career I have largely worked in a financial role, but love working on projects and just getting stuff done, so my most recent move to Exec Director of Business Change and Improvement suits me right down to the ground.

2. Describe yourself in three words

Compassionate, honest, enquiring (nosey)

3. What would you change about yourself?

Right now, it’d have to be my weight – because lockdown has, sadly, had an impact.

4. Describe your home

A very happy place. It’s somewhere to relax and be me.

5. Favourite place on earth?

Mawgan Porth beach in Cornwall. We found this spot over 15 years ago and return every year – no mobile signal, a family-run pub and beautiful sunsets, bliss.

6. What makes you angry?

Two things really stand out for me: lies and deception.

7. Most treasured possession

The Babygro first worn by both of my baby boys. It lives in my bedside drawer and I occasionally take a look at it to remind me how small and precious they were. They are still very precious of course, but they’re both leading their own successful grown-up lives now – and they both tower over me!

8. Biggest achievement?

Finally qualifying as an accountant, with first time passes whilst working away during the week and with two young children. That’s a time I’m really proud of.

9. Biggest regret?

Not qualifying sooner – but then again, I lived a good life, met my husband and had my two sons, so how can I regret all that?

10. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

This was from my dad when I was about to accept a job in London. I was desperate to move there to be near my friend from university and I loved spending the weekends there.

However, my dad very sensibly suggested I should take time to reflect before jumping ahead and to consider what it’d be like to live there all the time. He was right – and I have no regrets that I stayed in the north.

11. If you won £1 million on the Lottery, what would you spend it on?

I would pay off the rest of the mortgage and do the same for my sons (I couldn’t have done that if we were living in the south) and then spend the rest on a very long break in Australia and New Zealand.

12. Most overused phrase?

‘It is what it is’.

13. Recommend a book

I’m not a huge reader to be honest, but loved Room.

14. The best piece of television in the last 12 months?

Gogglebox – it just entertains me every single time!

15. Tell us a secret about yourself

I don’t have any – I share too much, just ask any of my friends and colleagues!