Enterprise Advisers

Sophie Thornton

Why did you become an Enterprise Adviser?

“Since school I’ve found out about hundreds of jobs I never knew existed that I could have pursued. It’s
important to showcase options beyond traditional roles so school children can see all of the options
that teachers may not be aware of, this is where people in industry can help.”

Tell us about your chosen career or career pathway to your current role

“I have had a very convoluted career leading me to finance! I did a degree in Zoology aiming to work with animals but graduating into a recession meant the nearest I could get to that was a Graduate Management scheme in an abattoir and meat processing factory. After 18 months I had enough of killing cows and took a sales role selling farm animal minerals and nutrition. I worked across 3 companies doing this before deciding on a complete change of industry and became a Business Development Manager for a large holiday cottage company. I loved this role and after a few years of nosing around houses I was promoted to Sales Director managing a team across half of Scotland.

When I had my little boy I couldn’t travel as far away from home anymore so took another total career change and bought a little online wooden toy shop, Little Fawn. I still run the shop today but in January 2022 I decided to get a part time job to help support me financially so I could reinvest in the business. This job was at Borderway Finance doing vehicle and asset finance, something I had no knowledge of previously but ended up loving. The team are my favourite I have ever worked with so when a full time role as Direct and Corporate Account Manager became available in 2023 I jumped at the chance.

I now spend my days arranging asset finance for individuals and businesses which is about as far from Zoology as you can get!.”

What careers advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

“Chase happiness not money. Money will often follow when you find something you love to do and succeed at it as a consequence. Also don’t think you are stuck following a career path, if it is not right then change, you have plenty of time to find the right role for you.  In this day and age no one bats an eyelid if you change industry a few times because you can always take transferrable skills with you.”

What do you like/love best about living and working in Cumbria?

“The people. When I moved here I thought I would stay for 6 months, I’m still here 12 years later and this is all down to the people I have met. Cumbrians are a very friendly bunch where community is still really valued. This was demonstrated in a large way when my house flooded in 2015 and everyone rallied around each other but I see it so much in every day life, both personal and professional. I am lucky to work for Borderway Finance which, as part of The Cumberland Building Society, builds this community spirit into its culture and as result they allow dedicate my time each month to being an Enterprise Advisor alongside my work”

Contact Details

Name:Sophie Thornton
Job Title:Direct and Corporate Account Manager
Organisation:Borderway Finance
Sector:Finance
Contact Email:sophie.thornton@borderwayfinance.co.uk
Key Skills:Project management, strategic thinker and planner, problem solver, essential skills knowledge

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