What does it actually feel like to step into the top seat of a company that isn't yours yet, but suddenly is? In this episode of Netwomen Uncut, Pinky sits down with Julie Allen, Managing Director of Active Insight, to talk about her journey from joining the team in 2022 to leading it in 2026.

Julie opens up about rebuilding a core product from scratch in her first weeks, the moment she was made Director, and what nobody tells you about taking over from the founders who built the company you now lead. We also talk candidly about being the only or first woman in the room at senior level; the real challenges that come with it, and how she's turned that into an outcome she's proud of. Julie's also a firm advocate for coaching, and shares how having a professional development coach has shaped her growth as a leader. It's an honest, relatable conversation about ambition, self-doubt, and what it really takes to grow into a role before you feel ready for it.

Whether you're stepping into leadership for the first time or navigating your own succession story, this one's for you.

Follow Active Insight on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/leisure-net