I have worked here since 1996 – I started as brand communicator and am now managing director.
I was attracted to this particular role because I spent a few years of my career at RPM being client services director, and that gave me a good grounding in how to really understand what clients need from an agency, so it felt like a natural, albeit huge, step to the role of managing director. I enjoyed taking this understanding across to the wider business, with significant help from fellow board members and the Leadership Team to ensure our offering continues to exceed our clients expectations while keeping a motivated, profitable and inspiring agency.
Not many people know that I started my marketing career as a brand communicator at RPM, and prior to that I sold commercial property. I also completed the Marathon Des Sables in 2005 – which in comparison to my weekends in Ibiza with clients was a doddle.
My worst experience at an event was driving a 17T LWB at a client’s HQ and three stationary vehicles seemed to somehow swerve into my path. So I managed to hit three separate, stationary cars. One of which belonged to a board director.
If there's one thing I've learnt it's trust takes time to build and yet moments to lose. That and ‘thank you’ goes a long way.
The best eventsI've been involved in was Smirnoff Ice - Yuri’s Garden Smirnoff. This was a snowball fight, for which we shipped in real snow (from Holland) on the hottest day of the year and had a snowball fight in central Bristol. Brilliant.
If I could do it all over again I would have loved to be involved in digital right at the beginning – it would have been such an exciting, innovative time. I’d also set up a food concession business, because there still seems to be a lack of good food at the majority of concerts.
The one thing I can't stand is bad manners and arrogance are my two main gripes. That and not doing what you say you will do.
Outside of work I spend my time with Emily my wife, three daughters and a pug called Agapay
If money were no object I would reduce my working week to three days and spend more time working with disadvantaged children. That and fly to work in a helicopter.
The one event I will never miss is the Marketing Society Annual dinner and Burns Night
The recession has meant that from a client’s perspective ROI, although always important, has been a more of a focus than ever. Decisions have generally taken longer and there has been a real emphasis on POP. Internally we have needed to ensure we operate efficiently, but not at the expense of our clients work.
The next 12 months will be really exciting! We are about to change our creative structure to ensure we deliver the best possible output for our clients and we are also expanding our office home The Old Treacle Factory, so we have moved out, only to soon move back in.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be Lord March, as he has a fantastic brand in Goodwood and I wouldn’t mind living Vintage 365 days a year. Or alternatively my brother Hugh...
If I ruled the event industry I would do a recruitment drive to ensure our industry interacts and engages with more young creative blood, and show this new talent the massive potential of our medium.
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