What's your JCDecaux journey?
I started at JCDecaux around 6 months ago, joining from LinkedIn. The OOH industry is an exciting place right now. It’s going through an incredible transformation where the core benefits of the medium, reach and scale, are currently being combined with increasingly sophisticated digital capabilities. JCDecaux is at the forefront of this transformation, and being a part of the team driving that commercial strategy was an opportunity too good to refuse. And who doesn’t love Heathrow T5 – it’s my happy place!
Career mentors?
I have been incredibly lucky in my career that there are so many people that have given me great advice, mentored me, and simply been there to support. The first that springs to mind is Josh Graff, VP EMEA & LATAM @ LinkedIn. I worked with him for 7 years, and admire him immensely. During this time he went out of his way to understand my skill set, my priorities, and my ambitions so he could help guide my career choices by asking me the right questions.
Which women inspire you?
In sport, I’ve always admired Dame Kelly Holmes, one of our greatest Olympians. Being something of an amateur sports person myself in my youth, I’ve always looked to track athletes for motivation. The discipline, grit, and resilience she showed to achieve her goals is a lesson in how to succeed. But also her openness about her battle with depression, self-harming and loneliness is not only brave, but has hopefully helped land the message that sometimes it’s OK not to be OK.
Who inspires you?
In entertainment right now it has to be Olivia Colman. I’ve watched her develop over the years in TV roles like Sophie in Peep Show and Ellie Miller in Broadchurch and have always been a huge fan. I like to think we would definitely be friends if our paths ever crossed! As she accepted her Best Actress Oscar last week she came across as super down-to-earth and seems untouched by the fame that her acting talent has brought her. Most importantly isn’t afraid to swear, blow raspberries and start a speech with “Cor, blimey” in a room full of A-listers. Unfortunately no one in politics inspires me right now.
Fabulous women?
JK Rowling – she is fabulous. A single mum, battling on the poverty line who believed in herself and had conviction in her ideas, overcame huge adversity and eventually created the simply brilliant Harry Potter series. She has been generous with her wealth, has maintained her integrity throughout and to top it all she’s also super sassy and highly amusing on twitter…… what’s not to love!
What’s on your bookshelf?
I would highly recommend The Glass Wall, by Sue Unerman and Kathryn Jacob. There are a ton of books out there for women in business but this one has humour, practical tips and truly resonates. Every woman, and every man managing women should read it.
Women in business?
I’ve always massively admired Kathryn Jacob CBE, author of the Glass Wall as mentioned above. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her several times and what always strikes me is her commitment to championing women in the workplace, and the fact that she always speaks her mind! She’s a working mum with two kids, just like me, she’s worked her way to the top to be CEO of cinema advertising giant Pearl and Dean, and she has given great advice about how to manage those two commitments without feeling guilty.
What’s your tip for success?
Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. For full disclosure this is stolen from author Ian Maclaren, but doesn’t make it any less true.
What would you tell your younger self if you could go back in time?
One day you will wake up and you won’t care what anyone thinks about you. You will just be you, and you will be unique and amazing! So have the confidence to be true to yourself.
