Marie Cooper: The Woman Behind the CBE+ Success Story
In the ever-evolving world of engineering, women continue to break barriers and forge their own paths. Marie Cooper, CEO of CBE+ is a fantastic example of female leadership in the industry.
Marie’s story is one of remarkable resilience. Over eight years, she masterfully brought together six individual businesses under the banner of CBE+. This wasn’t just a merger; it was a strategic move that streamlined operations and centralised the company’s presence creating an integrated supply chain approach. But the journey wasn’t without its challenges.
The road to success is rarely smooth. Marie navigated several hurdles along the way. The shadow of COVID-19 tested the company’s spirit. Despite team members falling ill, CBE+ persevered, contributing to the UK’s ventilator challenge and receiving recognition from Rolls Royce for their efforts.
Another challenge arose from exiting shareholders from the six original businesses. While some were happy to move on, others presented obstacles. But Marie didn’t shy away from creating the vision for CBE+. This required personnel changes as some struggled to embrace the new direction. But for those who stayed, the new structure provides significant opportunities for growth.
So, what drove Marie through these obstacles? Her answer is simple: perseverance, and people. The right team is crucial for any organisation, and CBE+ is no exception. Creating a team of experts who understood and bought into the new vision and shared common goals became a priority. As Marie states, “CBE+’s motto is ‘together we do more.'” This collective spirit fostered resilience, something Marie sees as key to success. “Look how far we’ve come,” she says. “If we made it this far, there isn’t anything we cannot achieve.”
Leading a company while raising a family demands a unique approach to work-life balance. Marie emphasises that it’s not about perfect balance, but rather a conscious blend. Building separate support networks within the business, at home, and external to both provided a critical balance. Additionally, carving out “me-time” – whether a long bath or a quick run – proved essential for mental clarity. This allowed Marie to clear her head and approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.
Marie’s story is an inspiration to aspiring female engineers and leaders everywhere.
To hear more about Marie Cooper’s inspiring story, watch her interview with Anu Khanna on The Business Spotlight podcast here FIND DIFFERENT SUPPORT NETWORKS | With Marie Cooper | The Business Spotlight – YouTube.
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