Riverstone's Remarkable Women
Penny Hughes, Chairman
You’ve built an exceptional leadership career across multiple sectors. What experiences have most shaped your leadership approach?
Growing up I played a lot of sport; I loved team games and was often Captain. This gave me my first experience of leading. Since then, some generous mentors have given me the confidence to step up and be the difference. I have learned by trying and working hard, you can’t win them all but you can try your best.
What is the best advice you have received, and how have you acted upon it across your career?
In my early career I was like a centre forward on a football pitch, always looking to score goals. When I experienced leadership in my first economic recession the shoulder tap said, “now it’s more important to defend and ensure no own goals.”. Taking a risk-adjusted view of circumstances and being more aware of the full pitch has really helped me to make better decisions.
Riverstone is home to many accomplished and inspiring women. Why is it important that later life continues to be a time of opportunity, independence, and enjoyment?
It is striking how many inspiring women have found home at Riverstone. Women who want to continue fulfilling lives with a strong sense of independence. Daughters too often have the best understanding of how important parents being happy and comfortable later in life is. It is wonderful to see the power of women living their best lives at Riverstone.
What inspires you most about leading Riverstone and shaping the future of luxury retirement living?
I love exploring new challenges so the opportunity to help create a genuinely new experience for enjoying later in life is a privilege. It brings together so much of my experience across real estate, sales and service excellence. All of our residents are such interesting people, it’s a wonderful community to lead.
What are some common misconceptions about retirement living that you would love to challenge?
The word retirement conjures up the image of needing to slow down. We like to say we can help downsize your responsibilities at home but upsize your life. It’s a moment to experience more of what you love, be it arts, theatre, or just the world around us whilst taking good care of mind, body, soul. We want you to live as well as you can for as long as you can.
Riverstone is home to many accomplished and inspiring women. Why is it important that later life continues to be a time of opportunity, independence, and enjoyment?
It is striking how many inspiring women have found home at Riverstone. Women who want to continue fulfilling lives with a strong sense of independence. Daughters too often have the best understanding of how important parents being happy and comfortable later in life is. It is wonderful to see the power of women living their best lives at Riverstone.
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