Bath Lives - Alison Woodhead

Long before her days heading up the marketing department at Withy King, Alison Woodhead dabbled in interior design, pursued a career as wedding singer and rubbed shoulders with music royalty. Find out about Alison's fascinating life and more in our latest instalment of Bath Lives.

Who has had the greatest impact on you as a business leader? Perhaps a mentor or a family member?

It would be difficult to choose one person as I take inspiration from different things. The steel will to get to the end goal in sight regardless of adversity or unfortunate circumstances is always something I find awe inspiring. The recent case of Malala Yousafzai and her campaign against the Taliban for educating young women around the world is one that stands out.

What are your professional goals?

Just to be the best that I can be and be recognised for adding value and making a difference and to always enjoy it. If you’re not doing a combination of all 3 you shouldn’t be doing the job.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Bath?

Koh Thai Tapas is a favourite, Cote is great for lunches and The Canary Gin and Wine Bar is a gem of a place if you’re partial to mother’s ruin!

What do you think attracts business people to Bath?

The market growth and financial potential and the closeness of the community. If word spreads and you’ve got a great product or service, the possibilities are endless. People don’t expect to find the quality of advisers and businesses that we have here until they experience it, but I’ve heard it referred to as Knightsbridge in the Country more than once.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give someone going into a leadership position?

Know your product and target market implicitly internally and externally, you can’t impact on one without affecting the other. Be yourself and play on your strengths, it’s what got you there in the first place, and it’s hard work so if you’re not enjoying it, it’s time to move on.

How do you like to spend your time off?

With my family as that time is precious. I have 2 daughters aged 4 and 7 so life is never dull and mostly pink. They are also acquiring a taste for my second love of motor racing so Formula 1 races take up some weekends in the season.

Your phone book must be full of business contacts, but who is the most famous person in there?

Before I entered the bright lights of law, I worked as a Brand Manager for a Global Cosmetics brand with brand ambassadors so I wouldn’t say we were in regular contact but Missy Elliot, Mary J Blige and RuPaul were in my contacts book back then. These days, it’s probably my cousin Jess Lloyd, the youngest relay swimmer in Team GB at the Olympics this year.

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

I’d have to say my kids who are the best product I’ve ever launched and turning a negative into a positive situation when I was made redundant and took the opportunity to re-train in a completely different career and qualified in it to run my own business.

Describe Bath in 3 Words...

Cultured, Elegant, Opportunistic. 

You've got 20 words to surprise us with. Go.....

I’m a qualified interior designer and I used to be a wedding and club singer. (Next stop X-Factor!)