What excites you about joining Portland?
The opportunity to work with a team full of the smartest people in the communications world on an incredibly diverse range of challenges for some of the most high-profile companies and brands around.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career so far?
You’re paid to give your opinion, so have one! It sounds simple but it isn’t always easy to carry out when you know your honest view or advice will be unpopular. But often those are the moments when you most need to put your hand up and use the timeless preface, “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t say…”.
What is your favourite part about your role?
Problem-solving with people who think differently to me. The best teams are made up of people with different experiences, perspectives, skills and expertise. Working on a project or issue with people who complement me not only gets the best results, but allows me to keep learning too.
What are the big lessons from 2022 that corporate companies should take forward into 2023?
Prepare for all eventualities. If 2022 taught us anything it’s that no-one knows what the future holds. The Ukraine War, energy crisis, three Prime Ministers in a few months and ‘mini-budget’ fall out were all unpredictable but had huge ramifications, not least of all for businesses. So I think the big lesson is to fully stress test your crisis plans and scenario planning – even if it may seem far-fetched.
What do you do to switch off from work?
My children have an uncanny ability to demand my full attention and energy, which naturally forces me to switch off from work. I’m sure they do it for my own good. Otherwise, a run, cycle or trip to the gym is massively important part of me decompressing.
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