A Day in the Life of the Managing Director: Liz Brewster

At Craven, no two days are ever quite the same — especially for our Managing Director. From early mornings in the “Posh Shed” overlooking Embsay Crag to supporting clients and guiding the team, every day brings a different challenge.

We caught up with Liz to get a glimpse into what a typical day running Craven really looks like.

The hub of Craven is based in Embsay, and my office switches between my kitchen table and our small office pod in the garden, lately referred to as “The Posh Shed.” Wherever I’m working, I’m lucky to have fantastic views of Embsay Crag, the surrounding fields and trees, and of course my beautiful horse Fizzy and her alpaca neighbours.

I work incredibly flexibly, and some of my best work is actually done in the evening. That flexibility frees me up to sneak off during the day for walks with friends, exercise classes, or anything else that takes my fancy.

As a business owner, I rarely switch off and I’m always thinking about the next step for the business. That definitely has its disadvantages as well as its advantages, but when I’m properly away on holiday (and I do make sure I have a few of those!), I’m able to switch off knowing I have a fantastic team at home steering the ship – and they do a sterling job.

One of the things I love most about this business is that no two days are the same. My team would say exactly the same. We work with such a wide range of clients that it’s impossible to have the same meeting twice. It keeps things interesting and keeps us on our toes, as advice for one business can be very different from advice for another.

So what does a day in the life of a busy MD actually look like? As I wear many hats, I could be doing anything from monthly invoicing and adjusting direct debits, to sending legislation updates, answering client queries, networking, setting up training, meeting clients, carrying out site inspections, updating documentation, supporting the team, or planning the next stage of the business. All while trying not to drop any balls!

At Craven, I’m incredibly proud of how we work. We focus on providing calm, professional support with clear advice (no jargon), practical solutions, joined-up services, and long-term partnerships that grow alongside the businesses we support.

Outside of work, I love spending time with Fizzy. I had horses when I was younger and when my daughter got into riding it felt like the perfect excuse to get back in the saddle – although my main role seems to be mucking out! I’m immensely proud watching her ride. I also love the theatre, walking our two dogs Freddie and Elvis, sunshine holidays, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.