I was born and educated in the UK but lived and worked for many years in Belgium. In 2000 I had the opportunity to stay six months in South Africa, living just outside of Jo'burg.  When my contract was over I came back to Brussels at the end of January 2001, and returned to find snow, grey skies and cold, wintery days. My heart sank.

 

A couple of days after I'd returned, I happened to pop into a local newsagent and picked up Newsweek. Inside was a four-page special advertising section all about the French Riviera. It was entitled High Life For Hi-Tech Industries and spoke of a place called Sophia-Antipolis. While the articles themselves where fascinating, it was more the mention of breathtakingly beautiful villages, superb natural environment and quality of life that caught my eye – and my heart.

 

A week later I flew into Nice airport. I had no job, knew nobody but I could speak the language. 

 

 

 

I must say that my father, uncle and grandfather all painted so my passion for colour and design I'm sure has come from them. I started out as a junior secretary for a Japanese Car Manufacturer in Brussels while taking art & publicity evening classes for about three years. After that I opened up my own English Bookshop in Brussels and ran that for a number of years. Sadly it was not financially viable so I closed it and returned to the workforce. 

 

I found employment with Beckman Instruments in their marketing department and started to learn all about printing, layouts, design, and even proof reading. My next position was again in marketing, this time with 3M. I slowly climbed up the ladder to become Office Manager.

 

My next career move was to DHL working in their Human Resources department until I applied, and successfully gained, the position of PA to the President of Boeing Europe. 

 

And then came the opportunity to go to South Africa.

 

Once I arrived in France I signed up with Manpower who found me employment with Compaq. It was here that I met my future husband, Nigel. I started AMB Cote d'Azur in 2004 which was truly the spring-board for me.  Here I found my passion for website design and photography. My photographs of the Maeght Foundation were published in a book entitled : Icons of Twentieth-Century Landscape Design by Katie Campbell. 

 

Barkers Sarl was created in September 2009 – and in January 2010 we will launch The Number 1 Ladies' Website Agency. 

 

 

 

I only have three words. Go For It!

 

Change is always a little frightening but it's also immensely rewarding. Before any change, I've always sat down and drawn up a mind-map just so that I can focus myself better. It helps me to see which steps to take to achieve my goal. I also think it's important to talk to someone you trust – even if it's just to bounce off ideas.

 

 

I think the word Team is essential. You must also have distinct roles and these roles must be complementary to one another. Nigel has over 25 years of technical experience with computers – he is essential for that particular part of the business. I am the creative part of the business: photography, designing websites, video editing. 

 

 

 

Well, I have to be honest here, I actually don't look up to my mother Rather it's been a myriad of women throughout my life who have helped, advised and guided me when I needed it. 

 

What inspires me? This region inspires me – and it inspires me every day. The colours, the stunning views, the charming medieval villages, the people. 

 

 

 

Sadly Alice doesn't really relax very often! But when I do I enjoy taking the dogs for a walk around Lac de St Cassien, I love taking macro photographs and in summer, when the crowds have left the beaches, I love to go snorkeling.