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Tara runs an independent consultancy focused on digital transformation, working with large and small companies to help with digital strategy and product roadmaps. She started her career as a writer, journalist and playwright and is a lifelong student currently studying organizational leadership with a heavy focus on organizational psychology.
What’s your historical London and New York connection?
My grandparents met during World War 2 when my grandfather was stationed in England. They fell deeply in love and my mother was born during the war (despite the fact that they were both married to other people). Ignoring the scandal of it all, they both divorced and my grandfather eventually brought my mother and grandmother to live in New York. I came to visit England for the first time when I was 13 and loved it. I met and married an English man who was living in NY for 15 years and we eventually ended up here. I now live in a village just on the other side of the M25 where I have since learned my great-great-great grandfather also lived. So it was meant to be!
Describe your experience in London as a New Yorker.
I find London such a comfortable place as a New Yorker, and such a vibrant and amazing city. I love the theatre here particularly, and I think it’s amazing that you can go to so many things for free, especially the Tate, my favorite place for a rainy day wander.
How can New York and London better engage with each other?
They work relatively well now; many of my clients are actually in New York and almost all have a London office. There are some fundamental cultural differences that can get in the way: Americans need to be open to the idea that different countries work and communicate in different ways and try and dig in a bit more to understand why. So, maybe we need more cross city events and conferences?
Favorite NYC secret spot:
I love the Candle Cafe because I’m a vegetarian that tries to be vegan. When I eat there I know that everything will be excellent and vegan too. I love it.
Favorite London secret spot:
It’s not much of a secret but perhaps my favourite place to go in London is Borough Market. I just love to go on a Saturday, get there early, get a coffee at Monmouth and have a great wander around. I particularly like the spice stall over on the side by Monmouth where I get great vegetable powders, like spinach and beet powder, which are great for cooking! And then there’s the Comte cheese for weeks when my veganism isn’t working out too well.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
My life between London and New York is pretty wonderful, but I hope to one day live in Boulder, Colorado. It’s everything I love in one place: beautiful, healthy, tech-centric, eco-friendly, perfect weather. One day!
In flight entertainment:
What’s playing in your headphones right now? Everybody Loves the Sunshine by Takuya Kuroda.
- And what are you currently reading? Capital in the 21st Century by Thomas Piketty.