Getting to know...Louise Dack

In the latest instalment of Bdaily's Getting to know feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Louise Dack, office manager at North Shields-based health and safety training firm Carney Consultancy, talks about proving her French teacher wrong, enjoying the North East coastline and the region's incredible collaborative spirit...

Did you always want to work in health and safety?

The honest answer is no. It wasn’t a sector I had really considered. 

My first job was in the legal sector, and I stayed there for quite a long time. 

But if I had to start my career again, construction would be right up there.

It’s such a varied and interesting industry with a lot of opportunities.

What’s the best bit about your job and the worst?

It’s a bit cheesy, but I really do love working with my team. 

Everyone has their own specific role, but there’s a lot of collaboration, which I thrive on. 

As a manager, it’s so rewarding when someone comes to you with a problem and you can help find a solution that removes that worry for them.

I’ve definitely had periods in my career where I’d get the Sunday night blues, but that’s not something I suffer from anymore.

The worst part? Budgets and finances! 

Thankfully, we’ve got a wonderful accountant on the team, who keeps me on the straight and narrow.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

When I was 16, a friend and I were told by our French teacher that we were on a “bent road” and would end up no good (thankfully, education has moved on a bit since the 80s!). 

To have had the career I’ve had has definitely proved her wrong.

I still can’t speak French, though!

How do you relax outside of work?

I’m pretty boring when it comes to relaxing – no skydiving or anything like that! 

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking along the coast at Whitley Bay, reading and I’m quite partial to the odd trashy TV programme too.

I’m also a fan of a good kitchen rave while doing the cleaning.

What makes the North East such a great place to live and work?

The North East is a fantastic place to live and work – I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. 

You've got the coast, beautiful countryside and vibrant towns and cities all within easy reach.

The people and businesses up here are really collaborative. 

Years ago, when I worked in the legal sector, a partner from another law firm and I spoke at a seminar in London about how firms in the North East had come together to create and recruit for the solicitor apprenticeship scheme.

Most of the delegates were from the south and couldn’t believe competitor firms would work together, or that we had travelled down to London together.

We didn’t think it was odd at all, but it made me realise just how special the North East is and how much I was looking forward to getting back home.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

Over the summer, a friend gave me the chance to drive one of the steamers on Lake Ullswater. 

Who knows, maybe sailing is the next stage of my career…

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