I came hurtling into the world a whole two-and-a-bit months ahead of schedule, on the night of the most devastating storm the UK has ever seen, to the surprise of everyone; especially my mother, who was rather concerned that she had only paid for an hour’s parking on the car. Once the doctors had broken the news to my parents that at just over 3lbs I was unlikely to survive the next 24 hours, they promptly named me – like so many other British girls born in the mid–late 80s – after Marillion’s greatest (only?) ever hit: Kayleigh.

I like to think that the circumstances of my birth are responsible for my penchant for a dramatic entrance, aversion to tardiness, wilful determination, appreciation of 80s pop culture and love of a good guitar solo. But maybe it’s just a coincidence.

Needless to say, I pulled through and defied the doctors’ expectations. My Dad recovered from the shock. My Mum got her parking ticket rescinded. The storm damage was repaired. All was well.

Skip forward a decade or three from the original story. I’m supposedly all grown up but still only 5’ 2”. They call me petite, but I prefer fun-sized.

When I’m not working, I can be found of an evening at the theatre, ballet, a dive bar, a gig or just curled up at home with a good book. If it’s daytime, you’ll find me devouring pretty much any source of knowledge I can get my hands on. I'm an introvert at heart and relish life's little pleasures like having the house to myself, daily bubblebaths and going back for second helpings of dessert.

I love watching documentaries, 80s comedies, and sports movies; listening mostly to music written before I was born while trying not to dance in public; reading second-hand classic novels; petting stranger’s dogs; eating my own bodyweight in pizza; and then burning it off again in the gym. I’m very much right-handed but shoot (ice hockey), surf, snowboard, use cutlery, and play guitar as if I’m a lefty. Golf, baseball and playing goalie in ice hockey are righty though. Go figure.

Nowadays, I’m based primarily in London but call the USA an unofficial second home. I left the 9-5 because I found that working for someone else often led me to have to compromise my principles or work in a way that opposed my true nature. Running my own business online means I’m able to set my own working hours and ensure a healthy work-life balance. I’m also able to spend more time on the things that are meaningful to me, whether that means having time to volunteer, visit friends and family abroad, take an extended vacation or just clear my head with some time in nature.

“Most importantly, I know I’m working every day for a company that reflects my values and operates with integrity”