People Categories
Other stories in One-Minute Interview
- Q&A: Duncan Hogget, Interim Partners
- Q&A: Simon Hyams, Galliford Try
- Q&A: Johanna Dow, Business Stream
- Q&A: Claire Heywood, Denny Executive Resourcing
- Q&A: Andrew Diplock, UES
Tagcloud
agency workers, Alstom UK, apprenticeships, Atkins, Bristol Water, Business Stream, CE Electric, EDF Energy, electricity distribution, engineering, Environment Agency, EU Skills, GMB, health & safety, IIP, Infor, Investors in People, jobs, kelda, Marsh, Panasonic, pensions, recruitment, redundancies, RWE, Serco, Shell, skill shortages, skills, strike ballot, students, training, utility managers, Vertex, yorkshire water
< Number of apprentices doubles | Q&A: Simon Hyams, Galliford Try >
Q&A: Johanna Dow, Business Stream
Name
Johanna Dow
Age
34
Company
Business stream
Job
Finance director
Career
I trained as an accountant working in private practice, and then I made the move into industry. I worked first with Scottish and Southern Energy, then Scottish Water. I left the company to help set up Business Stream in preparation for the opening of the retail water industry in Scotland.
What was your first job?
Working in a shop on a Saturday. Not very exciting but it did allow me to fund my passion for buying shoes and handbags.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
I love the buzz of being involved in something new and exciting. This is the first water industry in Europe to open to retail competition, so there is a real feeling that we are setting the trail for others to follow. And in my experience no two days are the same, every day brings a new set of challenges. The worst bit is the three-hour round trip commute.
What's your dream job and why?
I'd like to run an exclusive day spa because the perks would be amazing and I think it would be a pretty stress-free existence.
What's your most treasured possession?
The first pictures I have of my year-old twins.
Where did you last go on holiday?
The Maldives, but that was before I had the babies.
In the Hollywood film of your life, who would play you?
Somebody very glamorous, sexy, but with attitude, Angelina Jolie would be perfect.
Reveal something about yourself not many people know.
I really wanted to be a doctor but I can't stand the sight of blood.
What album is currently in your car CD player?
I need lots of CDs for the commute. Good Girl Gone Bad by Rihanna and the Ting Tings are my two favourites just now.
What's your favourite film and TV programme?
The Shawshank Redemption, which is the only film that I've ever watched more than once, and Grey's Anatomy because it appeals to the frustrated doctor in me.
What quote or saying do you most overuse?
If you ask my colleagues I'm sure it would be: "No, you can't spend money on that!"
If you ruled the world, what would you do first?
In true Miss World style it would have to be world peace.
What's your favourite joke?
It's much too naughty to publish here.
Comments
Sign up to our free email newsletters