During a Retail Week Be Inspired event, surrounded by people I admire, I heard a talk from chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation Sarah Atkinson.

As she spoke, I was hit by a wave of emotion as it dawned on me how much judgement I’ve navigated and how many hurdles I’ve overcome to get where I am.

At that moment, I realised that by hiding my past I may be hindering a brighter future for others from ‘non-traditional’ backgrounds.