Jeanette Forbes OBE

Founder & CEO, PCL Group

What has been your business highlight of 2022?

Creating a piece of digital software for the prevention of Gas Hydrate formation in deep and ultra-deep gas pipelines for Blue Gentoo Limited and having one of the O&G Operators conduct a field trial to test it out. What an achievement.

If you were ruler of your own country, what law would you introduce first?

I would make it law that drivers use indicators when turning corners in their vehicles. It seems cars just do not have the basics these days and indicators come as an optional extra! They should automatically come on when the car starts to turn left or right.

Which channel or tech leader (outside of your own company) has impressed you most in 2022?

Elon Musk. He is like a younger version of Einstein and his mind just fascinates me with his thought processes.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

"Fragile: Handle with Care." Most people think I am a strong woman but for once I would like to be the weak one, even if it is for just one day!

What was your first job?

Morrisons supermarket as a shelf stacker on the baby products aisle. I often wondered what the baby food inside the jars would taste like as they had the most appealing recipe names on the labels.

What was the last book you read, and was it any good?

Michelle Obama's Becoming. It was a great read and made me realise that no matter who you are, people have endured their own personal struggles in life, and you are not the only one.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from another business leader or mentor?

Be kind, especially after Covid. The people who you regarded as strong people, with strong personalities, have weaknesses too. So be kind to yourself and to others.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Meryl Streep.