I started Fledgling Work because I had spent enough time in hiring to know that the way young people get their first break was broken. Not slightly off. Broken. Talented students, early career talent and graduates were being shut out, not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked connections or experience. I wanted to build the platform I wish had existed for them.
I grew up in the North East of England. My dad was an electrician. My mum was an Avon lady, not just any Avon lady, the number one in the country. She used to spend her sales incentives taking us on trips away, opening our eyes to a bigger world.
I chose a Chemistry degree at university, not because I loved it, but because I wanted to prove that a girl from our family could do a science degree. I worked weekends in a greasy spoon and Asda until I eventually landed my first role at a marketing agency in London.
I did not have a black book of contacts or access to internships. I worked my way up, proved myself, and built a career from scratch.
My first boss here asked me to drop my accent because he said clients would not understand me. I did not tell him where to go, but I thought about it every day after that.
In my career as a marketer, I led several product launches at Microsoft, ran marketing at 118 118 and UKTV, and spent years building and managing teams across agencies and brands.
Fledgling Work is a social enterprise where I use my marketing skills to help young people move into the industry. I coach them through the Fledgling journey, guiding their thinking rather than doing the work for them. In their first month or two until you build confidence in each other, I check what they've produced before it goes to the business, and every Fledgling has a weekly check in with me through out their time on a project, so support is there whenever they need it.
© 2026 Fledgling Work
Fledgling Work is a trading name of Ruby Magpie Ltd.
Company number: 07354898
Registered in England and Wales.
Ruby Magpie Ltd, 23 Patterson Road, SE19 2LE