A Day in the Life of Rachel Turnbull, Chief Executive of TT2 who Operate Tyne Tunnels
Rachel Turnbull is Chief Executive of TT2, the operator behind the Tyne Tunnels – one of the North East’s most famous infrastructure projects – and she’s still in her thirties. We spoke to her about her dizzying rise to the top
I WAKE UP AT...
6.30 – getting up that bit earlier means that I can sit down and have breakfast with my family before I head to the office.
A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVES...
There is no typical day! It ranges from being on site and managing the actual operation of the tunnel to working with shareholders and wider stakeholders. One day I could be speaking to a local North East community, the next I could be down in London meeting investment bankers. There’s such a vast array of people with a vested interest in the infrastructure project – it keeps things interesting.
THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT HAS BEEN...
Being offered the role of Chief Executive – it really made me move outside my comfort zone. I moved up the ranks at the project quite quickly, and when they asked if I’d be interested in stepping up and running the company, I jumped at the chance. I immediately said yes, then afterwards I thought, oh my goodness, how am I going to do this one? Luckily it turned out fine, and it’s been an amazing experience.
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THE HARDEST PART OF MY JOB IS...
Managing the balance between work life and home life. It’s all about team work: me and my husband make sure that one of us is there for the school plays and clubs. I don’t really ever finish work, so I try and find bits of down time that I can spend with my daughters: just to sit down and talk about their day.
AFTER WORK I...
Try and make time to go to the gym. Exercise gives me the energy that I need to be able to manage such a busy schedule. Between a high-pressure job and family life, being able to take time to keep healthy pays dividends.
I RELAX BY...
Keeping busy. If I’m not busy, then I feel I could be making better use of my time. There are so many things to achieve and people to meet that I feel most relaxed when I’m at my busiest. That way, I don’t feel stressed or pressured.
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MY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING BUSINESS WOMEN IS...
To be yourself. Business needs a positive and honest approach – ultimately, trying to imitate somebody else won’t work. Be confident in yourself, and believe that you can succeed: after all my years in the industry, I’ve only just realised this.
THE LIFE LESSON I’VE LEARNED IS...
To do something that you love. I knew from the age of 11 that I wanted to do business accountancy, but finding the path of where I wanted to be was a bit more difficult. When you know that you want to do something, you need to go out there and try it – find out whether it really is what you want to spend your life doing. You never stop learning and developing, and there are always more opportunities out there.
BEST WAY TO SPEND THE WEEKEND...
To be with my family, just the four of us, without any commitments. My diary is so structured through the week, that it’s nice to be able to do what we want, when we want. I still end up busy: whether it’s emails, reading or housework – it drives my husband crazy.
FAVOURITE TV SHOW...
I love thrillers – anything with a storyline that keeps you hooked. A lot of the American series coming out now are very good: Mr Robot, Blindspot... they’re one of the few ways to get me to sit still for an hour!
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT...
I love Byron Burger on Grey Street in Newcastle. It hasn’t been open long, and I’ve already been three times – the salsa is to die for.
