Cathy Gregg recently got in touch to share some exciting news about the launch of WTS London - a bold new venture in tax advisory, set to rival the Big Four. She was clear in her ambition for Pro to be at the forefront as one of just three exclusive recruitment partners. What makes this particularly meaningful is that our relationship didn’t begin in a boardroom or through a pitch, but over two decades ago…
Back in 2010, I found myself walking to EY’s head office in London for what I thought would be a fairly standard event.
We were sponsoring a quiz night for The Prince’s Trust, a charity that helps young people get back into work. A brilliant cause, close to many hearts in the room, and a good excuse for a bit of friendly competition.
There I was, in the middle of a table of Partners, drinks flowing and quiz underway, when suddenly the conversation went rogue.
They started talking about an upcoming challenge. Not just any challenge. A full-on, slightly crazy expedition to the Himalayas involving cycling, hiking, and white-water rafting. The sort of thing you hear about and think, “That sounds amazing” … quickly followed by, “Absolutely not... that’s a hard pass from me.”
Wait for the plot twist... One of the team had to drop out. Pregnancy, which is a fairly solid reason. They needed a replacement. I got thoroughly egged on and, after a few glasses, it suddenly seemed like a great idea.
What happened next was a classic case of enthusiasm winning over common sense. I said yes.
The next morning, reality knocked. One of the Partners called and asked, quite reasonably, if I had any idea what I had just signed up for. We were leaving in six weeks.
Six. Weeks.
Now, unless you’re already the sort of person who casually runs up mountains for fun, six weeks is not a training plan. It’s a countdown.
So, I did what anyone in that situation does. I panicked slightly and then threw myself into it. I trained alongside an incredible group of ladies from a range of firms, including from EY - Lynne Ed, Stephanie Lamb, Roxanne Markarian and Cathy Gregg. At that point, I’d not actually met Cathy - I’d worked alongside her boss, John Pike, who led operations and recruitment at EY.
Then, before I quite knew what was happening, we were off.
10 days in the Himalayas. 10 days of cycling, hiking, and white-water rafting at altitude. It was one of those experiences that sounds glamorous when you say it quickly, but the reality was something else entirely… it was brutal.
It was freezing. The kind of cold that makes your face hurt.
We were hungry most of the time.
The altitude was relentless. Nausea, headaches, that strange feeling where your body is not entirely convinced it wants to cooperate anymore.
Everything hurt. Feet, ankles, muscles I did not know existed.
It pushed every single one of us to the limit.
And yet, we got through it.
Together, we raised thousands of pounds for The Prince’s Trust, which made every blister and every shiver worth it.
More importantly, that was where I met Kathy Gregg and the girls.
What started as a shared challenge turned into something far more meaningful. Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch. Weddings, children, life’s highs, and some very real lows. The kind of friendship that is built properly, not just over coffee but through shared experience, grit, and the occasional moment of wondering why on earth you agreed to cycle up a mountain.
Looking back, the trip was never just about the Himalayas. It was about people.
It is funny how going the extra mile, quite literally in this case, can shape your life in ways you never expect. The relationships you build in those moments do not fade. They stick. They grow. They matter.
Fast forward, and Cathy is now the COO of WTS. She reached out to Kev and me to help her build her teams.
And it all traces back to that one slightly reckless decision.
A quiz night. A few drinks. A yes that probably should have been a maybe.
And a trip to the Himalayas that turned into a lifelong connection.
Sometimes the biggest things in life start with the smallest, most unexpected moments.
If you are curious about WTS London and what is being built, feel free to get in touch.
