The A-List: 2008

Job

Chief executive

Company

Lowe

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7894 5400.

Address

60 Sloane Avenue, London, SW3 3XB

Fantasy business partner

Picasso.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Plant at least one tree a week.

Greatest influence

My mum, Mary Queen of Scots and Mary Wells.

Clubs

Bantham Sailing Club, Soho House.

Favourite gadget

Bottle opener.

Desert island objects

My Apple computer with web, iTunes and e-mail access, my own bed, unlimited supply of great wine.

Most-admired politician

None.

Favourite media

Kingsbridge Gazette, Conde Nast Traveller, CSI, Radio 4, Lovefilm.

Biggest risk taken

Leaving a highly paid job at WCRS to do a start-up.

Perfect day

Spent with my oldest, closest mates.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Kristin Scott Thomas.

Career highlights

Managing director of WCRS, founder and managing director of Walsh Trott Chick Smith, European chief executive of Red Cell and now the chief executive of Lowe.

Fictional hero

Heathcliff.

Hidden talent

It's staying hidden.

Best job outside advertising

Being on the Board of the UK Film Council.

Lowdown

Walsh has weathered a stormy 12 months at Lowe London, with barely a week passing without a rumour she's heading for pastures new. One of the most formidable negotiators in the business, she's reputedly worked wonders on the internal structure of the agency, albeit ruffling many feathers in the process. Now, she needs to do the same with the agency's wider reputation in the market.

Most expensive purchase

Salcombe Yawl, No 1.

Why are you good at what you do?

I relish challenges.