Careers: FOLLOW IN MY FOOTSTEPS.

Kate Swann, 35, is the most powerful woman in the Sainsbury's group. As managing director of Sainsbury's Homebase DIY chain, her enthusiasm and flair have increased turnover by half a billion pounds a year. Kate lives near Stansted airport with her husband Michael, who works part-time to bring up their four-year-old daughter

1981

From 16 to 18, I had a summer job at a holiday camp in Great Yarmouth. I also worked in a shop on Saturdays, as a waitress on Sundays, and had a job one night a week in a greengrocer's. I had a good balance of the real world and studies.

1983

After A-levels, I went to Bradford University and did a business management degree. I first became interested in business in the sixth form, when I organised the tickets and advertising for a school play and really enjoyed it.

1986

I was chosen to join Tesco as a graduate trainee. I was thrilled and earned pounds 8,500 a year, which seemed a lot in those days. I did time in marketing, accounts and buying, as well as in-store, on a fish counter and in the warehouse. By the time I left my salary was pounds 12,000.

1988

I joined Homepride Foods, the makers of flour, sauces, and so on. I had enjoyed the marketing at Tesco and wanted to move into a manufacturing market and learn about brand management. I worked on recipes, development, packet design, advertising, promotions, pricing and distribution, earning about pounds 20,000.

1992

I was approached by a headhunter who offered me a job as a marketing manager for Coca-Cola & Schweppes. I introduced the plastic screw-top bottles, which are everywhere now. I moved up to became general manager for all carbonates, and looked after Coca-Cola, Fanta, Lilt, Sprite and Sunkist. I was earning pounds 40,000. Not bad at 26.

1993

I moved back into retail and went to work as group marketing controller for the Dixons group. It was interesting to try a whole new market - electrical goods - and Dixons is very fast- moving and keen to succeed. I was earning over pounds 50,000 a year.

1994

I got my first director's job and my salary went up to pounds 65,000. I was delighted. By the time I left Dixons, I was marketing director for Currys (part of the Dixons group).

1997 I joined Homebase. The company had never had a marketing director before and I liked the idea of starting something new and creating a new department from scratch.

1999

I was made managing director after two years with the company and my salary reached six figures. Turnover was just under a billion pounds when I joined and is now pounds 1.4 billion.

2000

I have lots more plans and we've opened some larger stores and expanded our range of products. The DIY market is changing and I want to transform a very functional market into something inspirational and creative.