“I’m passionate about ensuring young people are properly supported”

From an early age, Deborah Collier CMgr FCMI, managing director at Careers Ideas, was “always curious”. 

“Much later in life, I discovered I am dyslexic, which has definitely played a major role in being curious and taking a creative approach to problem-solving, questioning things – for example, asking, ‘What is the rationale behind that approach?’” says Deborah. 

Following her curiosity

After studying business and finance at college, Deborah decided to join the military after a chance discussion on the opportunities being in the Armed Forces can offer. 

“It was an environment that I completely thrived in,” she says. “I was very sporty, very much a natural adventurer, and the military gave me a focus and a confidence that really honed my skill set.”

She joined the Royal Corps of Signals, working across Germany, with a stint in Edinburgh too. 

When she came out of the military, Deborah went back to her business roots, but says “nothing was planned, opportunities presented themselves and everything fell into place”. 

“My journey has been one of adventure. I’ve always been drawn to anything that looked interesting, including working overseas on a health project, living under a mango tree. I’ve had a wonderfully varied career as a result of being curious,” she adds.