What do you do and how long have you been in your current role?
I’m head of experiential at M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and I’ve been here for an eye-watering 16 years. Throughout this time I’ve expanded our offering from relatively simple event activations, to fully integrated experiential creative campaigns for our UK and global clients, which include Coca-Cola, Spotify and Castrol.
Where was your first job? What was the most important thing you learnt there?
Aside from a few ski seasons and small jobs in the City, my first real job was at Orbit International, a sports sponsorship company in Knightsbridge, where I started as the PA to the chairman and worked my way into the events department. My first major projects were the Stella Artois Tennis and Heineken Ice Hockey Championships. The biggest thing I learnt was that no matter how big the event, it’s the small detail that makes the difference.
How did you get from there to where you are now?
When the MD of Orbit International left to set up what was then called M&C Sponsorship, I jumped at the chance to lead the global hospitality programme for Benson & Hedges and deliver eight car launches for the Jordan Benson & Hedges F1 Team. In the years that followed our business has evolved, but I’ve continued to focus on delivering the best service and most engaging experiences for our clients.
Looking back, did you expect your career path to take the course it has?
No not at all – I was brought up in the Middle East and when I arrived in London I was very lucky to fall into a career that suited me down to the ground. I thrive on being challenged to deliver complicated projects and love interacting with new people and even love all the travelling.
Would you do anything differently?
No I wouldn’t – I feel really lucky that I’ve had the opportunity. When I look around at what I could have been doing I’m glad that I’m here, in a company I love, doing something I enjoy.
Who has inspired you along the way?
Maurice Saatchi – the man whose drive and determination built this business from nothing, and whose passion for it still brings him to Golden Square each day, with a smile on his face.
Have you ever had a job interview that went particularly well or spectacularly wrong?
Strange to say but I have only had one job interview in my whole career and I got the job. So I'm guessing it went well.
Is there a piece of career advice you’ve ever been told that has stuck with you?
Keep things simple, don’t over complicate. Da Vinci once said that simplicity was the ultimate sophistication, and Einstein said that "if you can’t explain it to a six-year-old you don’t understand it yourself". For centuries, geniuses have praised the pursuit of simplicity as the aim of all creation. 'Brutal simplicity of thought' is our company ethic and it works every time.
What career advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Take advice when you are given it, work hard and most of all get the attention to detail right. Get to know people (suppliers and clients), build relationships and don’t be scared of hard work - it pays off. Make sure that you also have fun along the way.
How do you wind down and relax after a hectic day?
Nothing beats a nice glass of chilled rosé with great friends. Fine wines aside, I also love sport (cycling, skiing, running) and working towards personal challenges. Earlier this year I cycled 500km across Zambia in four days.
Want to share your career story with us as part of the ? Email associate editor Rachel Bull to feature in a future How I Got Here.
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