1. What was your journey to becoming DWF's Chief Marketing Officer
I studied French and German language and literature because I wanted to do something I loved. My first job was a graduate trainee with a logistics company in north London. I HATED it. So I legged it back to Manchester and got the first job I could find which was a sales rep selling filing equipment – my "patch" was Liverpool and Manchester. I quickly discovered that I loved selling and was good at it (not so good at driving – crashed the car in my first month) but needed something more, so I did a marketing post grad qualification and started to work in junior marketing roles in construction, engineering and then law. I worked my way up through a number of law firms (I've worked all over the world) and took the role at DWF 4 years ago.
2. What is the best thing about your job?
I LOVE legal services marketing – I lead a team of great marketers and we get to work with very talented people. We help them take their specialisms to a wide variety of markets. So this is proper marketing – we cover the full marketing mix. Every day at DWF is different – in a very good way.
3. What was the biggest challenge you faced at the beginning of your career?
Deciding what I was good at and what I wanted to do.
4. Who is your biggest inspiration?
I'm inspired by loads of people every day
5. What is your biggest tip for staying on top of market trends and changes?
Be interested in what's going on in the business world! I read the FT every day (everyone at the firm has free access to the FT).
6. If you could go back in time to the start of your career and change one thing, what would it be?
I wouldn't – I NEVER look back darling.
7. Where do you get your motivation from?
Important to surround yourself by (and listen to) good people – friends, family and colleagues.
8. What does success look like to you?
Beautifully dressed.
9. What is your top tip to an aspiring marketing professional
Understand what marketing really is. I still use the lessons learned from my Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification.
10. What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Stop moaning and telling us all how busy you are and just concentrate on doing a great job.
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