What makes someone walk away from a lifelong dream of becoming a barrister and instead build a standout career in tech sales?

In this episode, Mark Edwards sits down with Alexandra Wilkinson, Sales Director for Microsoft. Alex shares how she went from a working-class, Northern, law graduate to leading major sales teams at Virgin Media, Vodafone, NTT and Microsoft – and why she believes her law degree, her accent and her “uniqueness” have all been secret weapons, not barriers.

They dive into:

• Why tech is one of the most powerful career paths for women who want both ambition and family life

• The reality behind “Women in Tech” – stats, stories, opportunities and what still needs to change

• The importance of role models and using your background (Northern, Welsh, working class, whatever it is) as an advantage, not something to hide

• Alex’s work with the National Literacy Trust and why literacy and digital skills are now make-or-break for opportunity

• Her favourite large-scale hospitality event (hint: 5,000 people and Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium)

• The changing world of hybrid work, travel, and what younger sellers might be missing if they never experience a buzzing sales office

If you’re in tech, in sales, a woman thinking about your next move – or a leader wondering how to support and keep great female talent – this conversation will give you a ton to think about (and probably make you smile).