Women in Leadership: Spotlight on Jemma Williams
- Contact Jemma Williams
- Global Expansion Advisory Director
- [email protected]
- +44 7709 842 720
Having laid the foundations for a strong network early in her career, ZEDRA’s Director of Global Expansion and Advisory, Jemma Williams shares her outlook on the importance of strong relationships, seizing new opportunities and tackling challenges with a pragmatic approach.
How did you get into the industry?
I began my career in Accounts Payable within a government organisation, where I developed foundational skills and built strong relationships within the accounting sector.
Several years later, one of those connections reached out with an opportunity to transition into a Sourcing Manager role supporting internal parties with international services. Accepting that role has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my career.
What has been a key learning in your career?
Throughout my career, building strong relationships has been essential to my growth. I’ve found great value in proactively nurturing my network, deepening connections not only with clients and suppliers but also with professionals beyond my immediate industry.
This approach has been hugely rewarding and something that sits outside of a typical job description that I overlooked in my early years.
What would you say to someone considering a career in your industry?
Go for it! If you thrive on a combination of “no two days are the same” when it comes to client requests, but also enjoy the structured approach of providing recurring support, then it’s a fantastic role to be in. You meet so many people from around the world and learn about different business cultures and ways of working.
Plus, because you’re working with such a varied client portfolio, you gain insights into some really interesting industries – from IT to life sciences, manufacturing to design, and everything in between.
What are the opportunities and challenges you’re seeing in the industry?
Despite economic challenges, business are still pushing for global growth. There are so many opportunities for companies expanding into new territories and increasing ways to stay lean with the right support.
I feel privileged to get to work with clients to help them assess ways to overcome obstacles and achieve their growth ambitions in the most efficient and cost-effective manner and make a positive impact on their operations – and ZEDRA – as a result.
To find out more about the ways in which Jemma and our team of Corporate & Global Expansion experts support clients around the world, get in touch.