Deanne Le Gresley is Managing Director for G4S Channel Islands. In this role, Deanne is responsible for overseeing financial, management and business strategy for G4S in the entire Channel Islands region.
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role
My current role is as the Channel Islands Managing Director for G4S. This means running a company of nearly 900 people with a varied service delivery including security services at the ports and harbours for Jersey and Guernsey.
As you can imagine, this gives rise to certain challenges not least being able to deal with complexity and the specific difficulties that come with doing business on two Islands.
After university, I trained to be an accountant and spent many years oscillating between straight financial management roles and roles which had a greater operational component. This role is definitely firmly in the operational camp but I have found the discipline and insight from my accountancy background invaluable in managing this business although the most important aspect of it is to gather and lead fantastic individuals which gives me a great deal of pleasure.
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
I studied Business Studies at Bournemouth University and had a choice in my final year whether to major in marketing and accountancy. At the time this was a major decision and it took me a while to decide because the disciplines were so different. In the end, accountancy won because my sensible view was that there would be greater opportunities for job progression and greater job security with a finance career. That has been proved to be correct with literally no break in my employment in a 25 year stretch despite fitting two children into the process. During my career, I have consciously selected interesting roles and chosen organisations with values that mirror my own.
Have you faced any challenges along the way and if so, how did you deal with them?
As with any career, there will be challenges and these can be grouped into broad categories. Accountancy has brought challenges of technical competence and keeping up with latest thinking in order to deliver best value to the organisation. Moving to an operational role has given me the challenge of moving my perspective and trying to manage the whole organisation rather than just one aspect of it. This has required a mindshift and some resilience on my part. Being a working woman has brought specific challenges around managing family life within a busy career but that has been helped by working in the Channel Islands with a limited commute and access to good childcare and excellent schools.
On a typical workday, how does you start your day and how does it end?
Being in the Facilities Management industry, I work on a glamorous trading estate so after the school run I start by battling with the lorries and service vehicles to reach the office. The day normally starts with a cup of tea and then a round up with the management team. I try very hard not to be a slave to email but to get around and speak to people as much as I can. This can be difficult with our people spread over a number of locations and two Islands but I make it my mission to do this at least once a day. G4S in the Channel Ilsands reports into the UK FM company and I make sure that I keep them updated on any pressing issues. The end of the day will be spent walking around making sure we are set for our night time duties and that the day has gone well for most people.
Tell us a little bit about your role and how did that come about?
My current role developed from a consultancy project I was asked to undertake for the Guernsey business. This piece of work was financially based and led me to being employed full time as the Finance Director. After a very short time, I was asked to lead the Guernsey business and eighteen months later was fortunate to be made the MD of the Channel Islands which is an honour.
Have you ever had a mentor or a sponsor or anyone who has helped your career?
My first role in Jersey was working for the local TV station and my Chief Executive at the time, John Henwood, was extremely supportive and knowledgeable about how to do business in the Channel Islands. Over 20 years later, he is the Chairman of our Jersey business and provides wise counsel as he has done during my career. At various times, I have had different mentoring requirements and my experience is that people are willing to assist in your personal development if you ask. To grow as a business person, it is my view that you should to be willing to listen to those with greater and different experience as it will assist you and the organisation in the end.
If you could change one thing for women in the workplace, what would it be?
As a leader of a commercial organisation, it is uncommon for me to come across woman in a similar position and I would like to see more representation at a senior level. This can only be achieved by giving working woman the right environment to help their career so that their experience is similar to those of their male counterparts. In reality, this is a complex issue and needs to consider a wide range of issues. My own experience of being a woman in the workplace has been broadly positive and I have been helped by both men and women along the way. I try to do my part in this by ensuring fairness and equality in our company.
If you were to look back in five years, what would you see in terms of your achievements?
Raising two teenagers that are happy and healthy is a key personal achievement for me. In the business context, managing to exit a senior role that wasn’t for me and being brave enough to go into consultancy until I found the right role which is the current one I occupy.
Tell us about your plans for the future?
G4S in the Channel Islands is changing and I want to continue this transformation so that the organisation continues to be as successful in the future. This means looking at our key markets and making sure that we are addressing our customers needs. It means looking after our employees and continuing to treat them fairly and with respect. On a personal note, I am looking forward to my walking holiday in China and my goal is to eat the local cuisine (yikes) and see the Terracotta Army.
