Tower2Tower with Kathryn Farmer

Kathryn Farmer, Aged 63, Married with 3 Sons, 2 Step Sons

and 3 beautiful Grandchildren.

I was born in Cannock Staffordshire, an ordinary girl from an ordinary loving family.  Left school at 16, no real qualifications, started work as an office junior learning secretarial duties, but soon became known for being the practical one, if there was a job that needed doing then I was the one to do it.

 

After having my family, my life took me to Stoke on Trent, I soon became involved with the Pottery Industry working initially in the HR department at Wedgwood, then moved onto work with the Company Secretary.

 

In 1989 I had a change of career and moved into Local Government to become Lord Mayors Secretary for the City of Stoke in Trent.

 

This was a most interesting and enjoyable 10 years of my life, a very practical and organised role.  I was very honoured to meet many people from all walks of life, from Royalty to local hero’s.  This role also made me realise that whatever you do in life and whatever you organise you are only as good as the team behind you, this ranged from cleaning staff to top management, we are all part of a cake and if one small slither is missing then things could go very wrong.

 

Upon leaving local government I moved back into the Pottery Industry which is where I am today, Brand Ambassador for Wade Ceramics, a company founded in 1810 and still a very vibrant and formidable company today.  In 2010 Wade built a new State of the arch factory the first new Ceramics factory built in Stoke on Trent for over 50 years.

 

Outside of my working career I have also been very active in charity work, I was Chair of Variety Club north West for a number of years, and for the past 10 years have been working with and raising money for The Donna Louise Trust, a hospice for children and young adults, and in May  of this year, A big event is taking place, Tower2Tower, 12 People are undertaking Cycling from the Eiffel Tower to La Havre, Rowing from La Havre to Brighton Marina then walking from Brighton to the Tower of London all in 4 days, and I am going as land crew support.

 

In addition to this, latterly I have become very involved with Women of the Year, which has been going for 35years, this event has grown significantly over the last few years, and supports charities I.e. Vitalise and The Princes trust.