Lucy Mitchell has been described as the " First Lady of Chinatown".
She was born in North West London in 1972, she attended Northwood College leaving after her A Levels to study Classics at Bristol University. Lucy is married to Dan Mitchell a London solicitor, and has 2 children, Tilly aged 15 and Charlie aged 12. Lucy began her career in Marketing in the IT industry in the mid 1990’s and worked for several rapidly growing American software companies managing regions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
She joined her father in the family business in 2003 to develop the marketing function. Since 2012 Lucy has been actively involved in new business development and is now responsible for Sales & Marketing for the SeeWoo Group. She is passionate about family, friends and food and loves to entertain. She also loves exercising outdoors and runs or walks 5 days a week. Lucy’s hobbies are cooking, gardening and travelling.
1) What is your current position?
I am currently Sales & Marketing Director at SeeWoo Foods Ltd, a family run Oriental Foods Business. I have been with SeeWoo Foods since 2003.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Between 1997 and 2000 I was European Marketing Manager for Northern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Emerging Territories of Siebel Systems a rapidly growing dominant CRM software vendor. Aged only 25 I was responsible for all these territories in a rapidly growing and competitive sector, managing teams and working alongside sales colleagues to achieve aggressive targets. In my current role it would have to be organising SeeWoo’s 40th anniversary celebration. It was quite a humbling experience to take time to really consider what my father and his brothers have achieved from very humble beginnings all those years ago.
3) What inspires you?
Getting things done, positivity, professionalism and empathy. My father is a particular personal inspiration given he left native Hong Kong aged 15 with no qualifications and no money to set up a high profile and successful Oriental Food business that today employs over 350 people.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Juggling the challenges and demands of motherhood with my career. My children are always my priority and it’s been a challenge to keep the balance. They are now reaching a more independent age and their demands on time are different and easier to combine with a career.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My manager at Siebel Systems was definitely the person I have learnt the most from during my career. However during recent years my husband has been my biggest influence providing constant support and guidance.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
The opportunity to build on my father and family’s hard work over the past 4 decades and grow a sustainable and solid business for future generations.
7) And the worst?
The frustration of having a vision for the future but the business not having the current resources to enable it.
8) What are your long term goals?
To manage the challenges that we face post Brexit and continue to grow the business and provide a stable income for all our employees and their families. Personally I would also like to see my father slow down a little (not completely because work runs through his veins) but enough to give him a better work / life balance.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
The benefit system and I would have another Brexit Referendum.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Elvis Presley because he could sing to me whilst I caught and cooked dinner!
