I was PA to Philippa Brown, now chief executive of Omnicom Media Group UK, when she was group marketing director at IPC Media from 1998-2003. She encouraged me to believe in myself, pushing me to take on greater responsibility. Stretching my ambitions and confidence enabled me eventually to make the jump into marketing.
Above all Philippa taught me 'how to work hard and play hard' - clichéd but very true. Philippa is driven and focused but incorporates a sense of fun into everything she does.