Sally Waterston, co-founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Durham based IT and business consultancy Waterstons, has been revealed as one of 50 ‘Leading Lights’ in the inaugural Kindness and Leadership Awards announced today, International Kindness Day, by the Women of the Future Programme in association with Lloyds Banking Group.
The initiative was launched to recognise the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society. ‘Leading Lights’ showcases 50 leaders building a new status quo and impacting others through kindness. It includes England National Football Team Manager Gareth Southgate, President of techUK Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, and CEO of the Employability Trust Bill Marley, among others.
Sally set up Waterstons in 1994 with partners Mike Waterston and Elaine Tullet. Today it employs 160 consultants across its offices in Durham, London and Glasgow, providing strategic business and IT support to clients in the AEC (architecture, engineering and construction), manufacturing, distribution and transport, education, property and social housing sectors.
Waterstons is an IT consultancy with a difference. What differentiates Waterstons from the rest is how it motivates, trusts and supports its consultants, giving them the confidence to take charge of their own career.
Sally said: “I don’t think that kindness is difficult or mysterious; it is all about treating everyone you work with and indeed meet in life with respect and courtesy. Our first value in our business is ‘people first’ and I would like to think that we always do this. It doesn’t mean that we don’t hold people to account or that we don’t make a profit – it just means that we all work together for a common goal.”
Susan Bell, CEO Waterstons said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Sally has been recognised as a Leading Light. Sally has been our leading light of kindness at Waterstons for the past 25 years and her compassion and empathy for those around her is clear to see. Whether that’s buying a thoughtful individual birthday present for every one of our colleagues, or taking time out of her hectic schedule to talk to both colleagues and customers about their home and work lives, nothing is ever too much trouble and no detail is ever forgotten.
“Sally certainly doesn’t do this for recognition and won’t see this behaviour as anything special, it’s just who she is and how she is made and we all feel so fortunate to be touched by her kindness daily.”