The former MEP was appointed BBPA chief executive in November 2019, succeeding Brigid Simmonds who stepped down to become chair of the Betting and Gaming Council.
McClarkin was working as a global consultant following a 10-year term as a member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Elsewhere in her career, previous roles held by the BBPA boss include being a Rugby Football Union representative for EU and UK Government relations and chairman of the Commonwealth Forum.
She says: “I have been very lucky to work in and for my passions. From politics to being an MEP, to rugby and the RFU working on winning Rugby World Cup bids, to the BBPA.
“I am also a NED in music for The Ivors Academy, which is for British songwriters and composers, as well as on the board of Hampshire Cricket.”
Juggling many hats and ensuring a good work/life balance can often be a challenge but McClarkin highlights how she manages this.
“It can be tricky getting the balance right, but I am supported by a lovely husband and hybrid working has allowed us to spend a little more time together, while the media doesn’t mind me doing more interviews from some of my local pubs!”
Back to work, McClarkin, who has now been at the trade body for five years, outlines the cause of her greatest pressure in her role as BBPA chief executive.
“Mostly the Government! I care about the sector deeply and know how hard all my members’ teams work, but I use this as a driver to get through the pressures and challenges we face.”
Overall though, she is generally positive and doesn’t have any regrets over the course of her career but there is something she would alter.
“I wouldn’t change anything – but I would use my time differently. Time is so very precious so that’s the only thing I would change,” McClarkin says.
“I may not have chosen different paths but I would have used my time in each of those moments differently.
“[But] we have to look forward. I am very proud of what I’ve achieved throughout my career and what I’ve built in my personal life but it’s always about the future.
“It’s always about tomorrow and making sure whatever you’re doing, you’re enjoying it, you’re contributing to your community and country in some way and keeping that positivity going.”
Proud achievements
That optimistic mindset continues as we talk about what she’s most proud of throughout her career.
“Securing £10bn in support for the sector during the pandemic and saving many pubs from closure is something I am really proud that we achieved,” McClarkin adds.
“One of my proudest achievements as an MEP was using my platform to push through delays at the European Medicines Agency to get the approval for a new Childhood Leukaemia Drug that Nova Laboratories had created in my constituency. That meant it got to market and to patients, months ahead and hopefully made a difference.”
In 2022, the BBPA boss was honoured for her service to the hospitality industry since joining the trade body in 2019 – something she lists as one of her proudest achievements during her time in the industry.
“In hospitality, it was getting our pubs open again and receiving my OBE from the King. That really meant a lot to me and my family, and I was delighted I was able to make him laugh about our mutual love of beer and pubs!” McClarkin adds.
“When you're authentic you can formulate relationships, you can really push the dial and that's something I have learned over the course of my career.”
Moreover, she has utilised skills from her previous political experience to aid her in the role of BBPA boss.
McClarkin says: “I’m a pretty resilient person. I’ve worked in some highly pressured environments from the RFU to politics and now working in the hospitality industry, which has been under extreme pressures.
“A lot of those pressures feel they are out of our control, those are the ones that really hit you, which was especially the case during the pandemic. It’s always trying to remember that you can only affect what’s in your control.
“Having been a politician and being able to navigate the political world is a skill to have and it came to the fore during the pandemic when there were a lot of closed doors, literally, to conversations. That helped.
“Understanding how they are motivated, the way machinery works, getting yourself around Whitehall, those play to my key skills and strengths.
“As a politician, you’re an advocate and I consider myself to be one of the most passionate advocates you can have.
“When I really care about something then I really go for it. Being a passionate advocate is something I’ve carried out because I only work in areas that I truly care about and it makes it really easy to be authentic.
“When you’re authentic you can formulate relationships, you can really push the dial and that’s something I have learned over the course of my career.”
Outside of her day-to-day role, McClarkin also supports the work and campaigns of several local charities and organisations.
She is a long-term supporter and fundraiser for Breakthrough Breast Cancer – a research and support charity and a cause close to the BBPA boss’ heart.
Public service
“My mother died of breast cancer when she was 48 so that has always been something my family and I have collectively fundraised for and lent into,” she says.
“You’ve always got to find different ways to give back. Being a politician was my public service to my country, giving back to my country.
“Giving back to charities, giving back to those people that have helped support my family. My cousin has been going through breast cancer treatment so this is something that is really important to my family.
“It was also a real privilege and honour when Greg Mangham asked me to join as a trustee of Only A Pavement Away (OAPA).
“Again, something I’m really passionate about is repurposing people, giving them a chance for a normal life and OAPA does such a brilliant job at that.”
When she isn’t working or supporting good causes, McClarkin has a variety of ways to ensure she remains at the top of her game.
“It’s really important to take a moment of reflection regularly. I go to church and that moment really helps me, but it can be going for a walk, a short meditation, a swim or going fishing. But without reflection we are just reacting and not fully taking stock and making the right choices,” she says.
“It’s the reflection point that is so significant. You have to take physical exercise for yourself too but it’s because of the reflection point that really works for me.”
“It was a challenge coming from politics to being a CEO."
While taking some time out helps McClarkin in her working life, taking advice from others is another area that has aided her.
“CEOs are at the top of their tree, and it can be lonely but there are a lot of others around you and I have found through Covid that we can all lean into one another be a source of support and inspiration,” she adds.
“We can’t always have all the answers individually, but collectively we can. I have learned so much from my fellow CEOs and colleagues that has led to my personal growth.”
“It was a challenge coming from politics to being a CEO. I really have enjoyed being a CEO and leading my fantastic team at BBPA. I have learned so much from working with some of the best CEOs in the country and they inspire me to be the best I can be.”
In fact, asking others for advice is one of the BBPA’s boss top tips to others who want to be a leader.
She says: “Be authentic. Follow your passions, stick to your principles and stay true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Networking is so powerful. Just keep on trying and the right doors will open for you.
“There were many times when the door was closed on my journey, but you just have to keep believing in yourself and knocking down those doors.
“Work hard and follow your passions and you can’t go wrong.”
