1970
Born in Exeter, UK. Thankfully my fashion sense improved eventually (though it took a while).
1970
1972
2 awesome years of being an only child, before my sister joined us. As you can see, I was very happy about it.
1972
1977
Celebrated the Queen's Silver Jubilee in style
1977
1981
Won a scholarship to a posh private school. My Mum gave me an awesome “home haircut” using a pudding basin, to celebrate.
1981
1984
Discovered Wham! And fluorescent pink accessories. It was a year for fashion to remember.
1984
1992
Graduated from The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne with a degree in English Literature and no clue what I wanted to do in life. Became the President of the Student Union, to while a year away while I decided.
1992
1993
First “proper job” in marketing, as a Brand Assistant at Procter & Gamble. Quickly realized that my heart lay in advertising, and moved to McCann Erickson, one of the best agencies in town. Wined and dined a LOT of clients, and spent a lot of time partying, in the name of networking.
1993
2000
Left the UK, having risen through the ranks of McCann Erickson and J Walter Thompson. A year of backpacking took me all over Asia, from India to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
2000
2001
Offered a role as Regional Account Director for the Unilever Foods Business with J Walter Thompson in Bangkok. Grabbed it eagerly, and exchanged dorm rooms and bus travel for 5 star hotels and business class flights.
1984
2003
Persuaded to move to Mumbai, and take on another Regional Account Director for the Unilever Detergent business, this time with Lowe Lintas. I was the only foreigner in the office, and immediately fell in love with Mumbai.
2003
2005
Became the head of HR for Lowe India, thanks to a prescient CEO who had "a feeling" that I'd be good with people. Realised that HR and developing people was my calling.
2005
2007
Headhunted to set up the HR team for Indian media giant UTV. Moved into a life of Bollywood premieres and TV channel launches. Met my husband Vivek, and his lovely, large family. Here's me with my mother in law and 4 (4!) sisters in law.
2007
2008
Married Vivek in a Christian wedding ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in Kolkata, followed by a big fat Indian wedding party.
2008
2010
Turned 40, and became a mother. Something I never expected would happen as I'd never been the maternal type. Fell in love with baby Jake, and immediately wanted another. Started Coaching after being trained by some of the best coaches in India, and realized that I loved that too.
2010
2011
Left UTV to ostensibly “take a break”, write a book, and Coach more. Was seduced to join The 120 Media Collective as Chief Talent Officer by their exuberant CEO. Published the book, Becoming Mrs Kumar, a year later.
2011
2012
Had baby no 2, Noah. Now I really knew what it was to be a working Mum.
20122016
Spent a year living and working in the UK, and completed International Coaching Federation ACC qualification, to add to the skills I have developed already.
2016