As part of the celebrations for International Women's Day, owner Carol Shanahan gave a public lecture at Staffordshire University to talk listeners through how she balances her many different responsibilities.
"We all have an interesting life, we just don't realise that it is. We don't realise because we don't spend a lot of time looking at what effect the beginning of your life has on your destiny and how you live going forward." - Carol Shanahan
Port Vale Football club owner Carol Shanahan left school without any formal qualifications, yet has gone on to chair Queen's award-winning business Synectics Solutions, as well as the Valiants.
Carol revealed intimate details of her upbringing to lecture attendees, describing how her formative years have moulded her into the woman and leader she has become today.
From a professional viewpoint, Carol started out as the first female main-frame computer operator at Hoskins systems in Birmingham, to owning and chairing Synectics Solutions and Port Vale Football Club, Carol's people-centred and pragmatic approach to life has been at the forefront of all her business and personal decisions.
After moving Synectics across the D-road from Newcastle to Burslem, Carol was greeted by more than she expected and has gone on to play a pivotal role within the Burslem and Stoke-on-Trent community.
Her seven ‘hats’ consist of owning Synectics Solutions & Port Vale FC, being Trustee of the Port Vale Foundation, Founding The Hubb Foundation, Co-chairing the Opportunity Area Board for S-o-T, becoming a Board member of the Childs Improvement Board all whilst determinably making time for her personal and family life as a mother and nana.
The lecture formed part of the university's series of public talks, which are designed to bring a wide range of topics to life.
Carol and husband Kevin completed the purchase of Port Vale on 7th May 2019 and since then, the club has gone from strength to strength both on and off the field. After finishing in 20th place last season, the club is now pushing for the play-off places.