What is your role at Next and what do you love about it?

I'm Kamaljit, a Home Brands Trading Manager. Every day is a different day and every day is a learning day. It's an ever-evolving role, and we can make it what we want it to be, that's why I love my role.

Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

It's important to celebrate all that we have achieved - and also to create a safe space to have open conversations, that we may not necessarily be comfortable having. We have come so far, and yet we have so far to go - and it is a good reminder of that.

Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? How did you overcome them?

Returning from maternity leave was a real struggle - managing motherhood as well as my career. 

I overcame this by following my career path and managing the milestones that were right for me. Sometimes it's not about achieving the big goals - but celebrating and learning from the smaller successes along the way.

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?

You don't have to be the loudest in the room to be seen or noticed. Head down, focus on your goal - and your results will speak for you. Don't get waylaid by ‘noise’. 

How can we encourage more women to pursue progression in their careers?

Have more visible role models in their career paths. Women who look like them, sound like them, come from backgrounds like them and represent them. "If they can achieve it, so can I".

What important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?

Follow your own path and know your worth. Always thrive to be the best that you can be, that way you always know you gave it 100%.  Speak to your managers about how you would like your career to progress, the goals you would like to achieve, or the drivers in your life.  Many times in my career I have been the only woman in the room or the only person of colour in the room. Represent! Speak up - you are in that room for a reason!