What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Try to be an active listener of your colleagues and team and take the time to really hear what’s being said rather than make assumptions. In this way you will always be better placed to make more informed decisions.

What future opportunities do you think marketing and communications will create over the next five years?

The pandemic has highlighted the centrality of the Internet to our everyday lives. I believe marketing and communications will become much focused on emerging technologies connected to the Internet to reach their audiences with even more direct and personal messaging.

What is your most trusted news source?

I always try to go to a variety of news sources on a story to get alternative interpretations on an event, these tend to be the Guardian, FT and Times online.

What has had the most influential impact on your leadership career and why?

My parents who were always open and supportive of my career decisions. Right from the start of my career they encouraged me to always be positive and make the most of the opportunities available. They were never critical of my choices in life.

What is your biggest takeaway from covid19?

It has only cemented my view of the importance of well targeted and nuanced communications in a time of crisis, both internally and externally.

How are you planning for 2021 and beyond?

It’s difficult to think about plans beyond the next few months because there still remains so much uncertainty. But I would say it is planning for the emerging business environment on the other side of the pandemic. I am working to ensure that we have the right tools and approach for the next few years. Also important will be to identify and build strategic relationships that will add value to the business.

What career advice would you now give to yourself 10 years ago?

It’s important to have quality time away from the job and switch off, you will be better for it.

What’s the toughest interview question you’ve ever asked or been asked?

Actually, it’s always the standard one of: ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I’ve tended to seize opportunities as they have arisen rather than vigorously pursue them as part of a grand career plan.

Who is your business hero and why?

The British YouTube personality, KSI. He has used his natural talents and communications skills to build a small business empire in 10 years and more impressively, started out at just 15 years old.