Kate Kenny
1. When you were at Brighton & Hove High School, and what is your fondest memory of school?
I was at BHHS for senior school and sixth form, from 1991 to 1998. I have lots of happy memories from school, particularly spending time with my lovely friends. I have funny memories of studying Ancient Greek GCSE – playing Cerberus the three-headed dog of the underworld in a Greek play, travelling around Greece in a bus on an amazing school trip, and being taken to a London theatre to see a very graphic version of Lysistrata!
2. Who was your favourite teacher and why?
This is like being asked to choose your favourite child! If I had to single one teacher out, it would be Mrs Baker who taught me A-level Physics. She was simultaneously tough and soft, with a huge passion for her subject, and a wider commitment to ensuring we became wonderful women! I was so sad to hear that she recently passed away, I have planted some hellebores in my garden to remember her, as I know she loved them.
3. What were the benefits of being in an all-girls school?
I felt I belonged at BHHS, and that I could always be myself. I now realise this gave me a quiet confidence that has pushed me to go for opportunities outside my comfort zone.
4. What did you want to be when you ‘grew-up’?
I was always keen to work and I had a succession of part-time jobs from the age of 13 – working in a gift shop, babysitting, washing up at a restaurant,.. I even had a job as a book-keeper for a haulage company whilst at school! Perhaps because I was working whilst growing up, I wasn’t particularly focused on the work I would do once I was grown up – it has just been a continuation of doing interesting things. I always loved maths, so it’s not terribly surprising that I ended up in a STEM career!
5. What do you do now, and what are the most rewarding and challenging parts of your job?
My role is Chief Growth Officer at AtkinsRealis, a multi-billion-dollar Canadian-headquartered public company, offering comprehensive consultancy and professional services in infrastructure projects worldwide. I sit on the Executive Committee, and my role is to lead the organic growth agenda for the company. Working in this industry is very rewarding, as the projects we work on make an enormous impact on people and the environment. The most challenging part is having a full global remit – keeping across the breadth of opportunities in every market, service line, and part of the world – thankfully, we have a great team!
6. What are you most proud of so far?
My two boys. I am proud to raise them, whilst having a fulfilling and rewarding career – through lots of teamwork with my husband.
7. What was the best piece of advice you were given whilst at Brighton?
Mrs Baker told us to always put moisturiser on your neck, as it’s the area of your body that ages most quickly!
8. What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
I have a banner in my study at home which says “Be Brave”. It constantly reminds me to stand up to challenges in front of me and choose the brave option.
9. What book, film or piece of music would you recommend to your younger self and to your fellow alumnae?
Having spent my entire career in a male-dominated environment, I often recommend a book called “How Women Rise” by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith to other women.
10. How would you like to be remembered?
Someone who gave everything a good go and provided opportunities for others.
Kate Kenny
Class of 1998
