Counting on Caroline

In the latest in her series throughout 2017 profiling inspirational women, KATE HASKELL talks to someone who is debunking the myths about her profession

- Kate Haskell

“IF YOU WANT anything said; ask a man. If you want anything done; ask a woman.” The words of Margaret Thatcher. Whatever your political persuasion you can’t argue that she was one of the most powerful women of the 20th century and made it possible for other women to see a way that they too could succeed in business.

Closer to home but an inspiration to many women in business in the county is Caroline Smale. Now a partner in the Devon accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, Caroline was once a working single mum who didn’t quite believe in herself enough as she tells me in the boardroom of her Exeter office.

“For years I was quite happy ploughing on, earning money, supporting my children and doing the job but I didn’t go for that last leap in my career until my children were older. I didn’t think for one minute they would consider me as a partner in the firm at all. Then one day as I turned 50, I thought ‘give it a go’ and approached my boss who was delighted but also thought I would never be interested. So both of us had been sitting there thinking the other wasn’t interested. Proof you should never assume.”