Here, she gives us her views on women in the workplace and why being a single mum hasn't prevented her from grabbing the top job in the city.

"I remember when I was appointed to this role as chief executive in 2002 that the headline in The Evening Telegraph read "Mum gets top job".

Initially, I was uneasy with that headline, after all, would a headline read "Dad gets top job". Then I thought I should be proud of what I had achieved as a single mother of a nine-year-old daughter.

Juggling work and parenthood, like for all other parents, has been a challenge. The council and the city have been good places for me to work in supporting these challenges.

Feature:
You don't have to behave like a man to get to the top
The ET's Jemma Walton talks to some of the most powerful women in Peterborough, 19 September 2008.
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There have been many occasions where my daughter has been welcomed at so many events across the city, and in the council when I've been on duty on evenings and at weekends.

This has also enabled her to understand my job, and the demands it has made on my free time. Equally, it has enabled her to see a slice of civic life that not many children have seen and has certainly expanded her horizons.

My daughter is almost 16 years old now, she is taking most of her GCSEs this school year, and, more than at any time, she has opportunities as a young woman to pursue her chosen career. Certainly more than I did when I was a young woman.

She wants to be a journalist, and when people ask her if she wants to follow in my footsteps, she categorically says, "no, mum's job is far too difficult and she works too many hours".

A young woman who is confident and knows her own mind, I think! When I became a solicitor in 1985, there were about 16 per cent of women qualified. There is now more than 50 per cent.

There are still some professions where women need to break through and where there are barriers, so we shouldn't be complacent.

However, much has been gained in the last decade or so, and women are breaking through into more senior roles and effectively balancing a family life with their careers, if that is what they choose.

Interestingly, in recent years, I've seen more fathers stay at home to look after their children by choice and where the woman is the main wage earner.

In my organisation there are many talented people. To be honest, I don't distinguish between men and women, as I promote the best person for the job.

Having said that, we must still strive to remove barriers for women and other groups who suffer discrimination in their work lives. Like others, I support flexible working as one means to help women juggle their family and work life.

All I want is for my staff to do their jobs well, and my experience is that the majority of people come to work to do just that. How they do it and where they do it for some jobs is of less concern, and flexible working can liberate women and give them confidence that their organisation is behind them and values them.

So this "mum" did get the "top job" and she is very grateful to those who gave her this opportunity and to the councillors and officers as well as her colleagues across the city who have supported her through the challenges this job brings on a daily basis."