TT2 boss Rachel Turnbull

BY the time most of us are enjoying a mid morning cuppa about 17,000 vehicles will have travelled through the Tyne Tunnels.

As chief executive of one of the region’s most important bit of infrastructure Rachel Turnbull, boss of tunnel operator TT2, is responsible for helping to keeping traffic on the move, as well as ensuring a return to TT2’s public and private investors.

After accepting a six month contract to help manage the transition of the tunnel’s operations from public to a more commercially-based operation she is three years down the road on a challenge that she relishes, but admits won’t detain her forever.

“This is something that I am committed to 100 per cent, but I am an ambitious person, and at some point I will be looking for something new to get my teeth into,” she says.

Her formative years were spent in Nottingham and Doncaster, but like a lot of people who adopt the North- East as their home, Mrs Turnbull, 36, has developed a deep affection for the region.

“It is a bit of an honour to raise children in the North- East,” says the Tynemouthbased boss. “ It has everything you could possibly want – stunning countryside, beaches and the city are all within easy reach. My girls are very settled here and we would find it very difficult to leave. At the point that I move onto my next challenge then my number one choice would be to work in this area. I love it.”

Following a degree in business and finance at Northumbria University she completed her accountancy training while working for the Post Office.

After taking roles all over the UK, in industries raging from manufacturing, facilities management and construction, the birth of her first daughter, and encouragement from her North-East born husband, brought Mrs Turnbull back to this region.

“I am glad that I worked in so many sectors,” she explains. “I think it is important to gain as wide a breadth of experience in the early stages of your career.

Once you become chief executive your focus becomes very much about the task in hand.”

She describes her management style as “open, honest and visible.”

“As chief executive I think that if one of your staff needs five minutes of your time then you should drop what you are doing and listen. Having an open dialogue with people is vital,” she adds.

The announcement last week that Glencore had become the last FTSE 100 company to appoint a female director highlighted efforts to overcome sexism in the corporate world. Asked if male dominated boardrooms had impacted on her career, Mrs Turnbull replies: “I don’t see my gender as an issue in terms of what I can achieve at work. I would never want to be appointed to a board as part of a quota system. I would want to be appointed because I was the best.

“Working in the construction industry, for example, I often found that I was the only woman around the table.

Do men underestimate you in those situations? Yes.

But once they realise that you are good at what you do then you command respect.”

Five minutes with...Rachel Turnbull

Favourite North-East building and why?

Can I have more than one?Baltic and The Sage for their modern appeal and Cragside for a more traditional choice. Cragside has just so much history and the gardens are simply stunning. The Sage is unique and is a great venue for live music due to the excellent acoustics. Baltic is such an iconic building.

What is the worst job you’ve had?

I worked at a chicken factory during my university summer break. I managed to make it through the two-hour training session, and that was long enough for me.

What was your first job?

I worked at a discount retail store in Doncaster on a Saturday for just under £16 per day.

What would you cook me for dinner?

Roast beef with all the trimmings.

Coming from Yorkshire I was trained to make a mean Yorkshire pudding.

What would your superpower be?

Being in two places at once. As a working mum, being able to divide my time between home and the office would be my superpower of choice.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party.

Peter Kay, Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie and Ian Brown.

Most expensive thing you’ve bought, other than car or house, and how much?

An oil painting by Julie Dumbarton.

It was £2,000 a number of years ago and is the most beautiful oil painting of a field of poppies.

Favourite book?

The one book that always springs to mind when asked this question is Sleepers, by Lorenzo Carcaterra.

What is your greatest achievement?

My two beautiful daughters Lily Grace and Ava Mae.

What’s the best piece of advice in business you’ve ever been given?

Listen very carefully before answering; this applies to all areas of business.

When did you last cry?

Last week, I watched a programme on Channel 4 called My Last Summer. Terribly emotional and provided great life perspectives, and some tears too.

What was the last band you saw live?

City and Colour in Newcastle.

Describe your perfect night in?

Prosecco, a takeaway and a good thriller movie.

What irritates you?

Bad manners and bad language.

In another life I would be...

A doctor. I always wanted to train to be a doctor and provide support to those who need it most.

Favourite animal and why?

Our family pet Daisy Boo. She is a miniature cavapoo (a crossbreed between a cavalier King Charles spaniel and a toy or miniature poodle and my daughters love her.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Fairuza Balk; very talented actress.

What’s your secret talent?

Getting people to do what I want them to do without them even knowing it.