We are encouraged to go to events regularly to ensure we can communicate the most up-to-date developments from every region of Britain. We often spend a weekend in a particular region to immerse ourselves in its tourism offering.
- What are the other perks of the job?
We can all bring our own passions and ideas to the job, from film, adventure sports or food and drink to cosmetics brands. We only use British food and drink at events we hold, and pre-event English-wine-tasting is always nice.
- How do you come up with new marketing ideas?
International marketing is often driven by demand from overseas, but we also follow consumer trends and have brainstorming sessions.
- What is the main marketing challenge you face?
As a government-funded organisation, we don't always have the budget we'd like, but it's an interesting challenge - we have to be more creative.
- Is there a dress code?
On the whole it is quite relaxed.
- Does the marketing team socialise outside of office hours?
Very much so - and there's a great rapport between teams. Our Hammersmith haunts include Hit Bar for cocktails and El Metro's happy hour.
- What are the hours like?
They are generally job-specific; it makes sense for those who work closely with Asia-Pacific markets to come in late and stay late. We also have a flexible working policy.
- What is VisitBritain like for training and career progression?
We promote internally where possible and there are many opportunities to take secondments to other teams, divisions or overseas offices.
- What is the benefits package like?
Salaries are benchmarked to ensure they are competitive. Benefits include travel loans and final-salary pensions, and we have a gym, swimming pool and sauna in the basement, which saves on gym fees.
- Are there any downsides?
There can't be many, as people tend to stay here a long time.
- Is there anything interesting about your office?
There are huge canvases of Britain on the walls. And those on the 10th floor have great views of London.
FACT FILE
- VisitBritain employs 250 people in the UK; 150 are marketers.
- Marketing spend is 拢49.9m grant-in-aid; 拢35.2m of that is for the promotion of Britain overseas.
- Tom Wright is chief executive, Christopher Rodrigues is chairman and Mike Bedingfield is director of marketing.
- VisitBritain is based at Thames Tower, Blacks Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9EL.