Meet Zara, our Accessibility Director , keeping James on task.

Zara started with HeX as a Junior Web Developer. Zara has a passion for design, the creative arts, and has an organised approach to business improvement. Zara loves the challenge of getting things in order so that everyone is confident in what they are setting out to achieve. Zara enjoys the outdoors and riding her motorcycle, and believes that she can change the world (or someones world at least) and aspires to do that every day.

Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are now:

“I’ve been at HeX now since to 2015. I’d like to think that every step of my career has led on to the next and I’ve never repeated the same thing. The place that I started, like many others, is customer service. Personally, I worked in a bar, did some retail work and then I moved into an office environment where I was involved with managing people, payroll, accounts, bookkeeping and finally, marketing.

I think every stage of my career has led me towards running a business. Process improvement has to be one of my favourite and making sure things are running the way they should, which is a constant battle. Anything can change the team dynamic whether it’s a new client, a new team member or even a new day of the week (which would be very handy, by the way!).

My love for web development came from the decision to go and learn how to create a website for my photography portfolio which is something that I really wanted to improve on at that point. I really enjoyed web development and everything involved with it, after joining HeX as a web developer and working on numerous web projects, I haven’t looked back.”

Since learning the craft, helping to grow the business and becoming Director, I have moved the company’s focus to digital accessibility and continue to champion for more awareness in the industry.

What does your average day consist of?

“My average day is making sure that everything is in the right place and everyone is doing the right thing at the right time. I organise everything here at HeX, with help from the team. I also make sure any clients’ queries are responded to, that the team are happy, and that James is happy!

Who do you admire?

Of course, I admire James Hall…he is the hardest working man I’ve ever met, he has got incredible drive and not a lot can knock him down.

In the wider world, Richard Branson, thanks to his entrepreneurship. He started from the bottom and now he’s a multi-billionaire. He’s obviously done something right and I think his key to success is about building a good team. The right attitude in business and people, if you’re keeping them happy, will keep everything running smoothly.

What is something few people know about you?

Few people are aware that I’m a motorcyclist. It’s my life. I am also an unpractised musician (saxophone and drums), which I would love to get back into. And my photography that I touched on earlier.

What toppings would you choose on a pizza?

I wouldn’t have a meaty pizza – I think the standard of meat they put on pizzas is very shocking, generally! I would choose: mozzarella, sundried tomato and some rocket. However, pizza is never my first choice really, I much prefer Asian cuisine.

What are your top three pet peeves?

My number one pet peeve is bad drivers…that’s a big frustration. It’s not that difficult to abide by rules and indicate when you’re turning! Second is having to tell someone something more than twice, they obviously haven’t listened previously! Lack of drive is also something that I find very frustrating, I’m not one to bumble through life and I don’t understand those who do.

If you could be anywhere, where would you be?

I’d be on a beach – somewhere hot! I’d really like to go to Thailand. There’s a mix of beaches and woodland there and I like the thought of the varied mix of visual stimulation. I couldn’t sit on a beach all day – but I love to listen to the waves.