I think I’d describe my work journey as a wiggly-worm career! I’ve had lots of jobs, but looking back, it was all worth it because I now have so many different experiences to draw from – and that includes working at GC twice in the last five years!
I'm originally from Manchester, but in 1997 I moved down south and studied for a degree in Journalism.
I left with aspirations of becoming a fully-fledged journalist, and my first job was working as an Editorial Assistant for a publishing company, Hothouse Media, in London in 2001. Through my various jobs I ended up staying in London for just over 20 years.
Insights, aspirations and contacts
The publishing company gave me insight into a particular type of journalism, and I had aspirations to become a ‘commentator’ in the future. I was at Hothouse Media for two years, but they were impacted by the aftermath of 9/11 and I was made redundant.
Thankfully, I’d made many friends and contacts in London, and one suggested that I consider working in government. That wasn’t something I knew a lot about, or had any experience of, but I applied for an Assistant Press Officer role and successfully got a job with the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) in 2002.
Moving around, gaining experience and going solo
Over the next 10 years I moved around various Government departments in all sorts of comms and press office roles – including Senior and Chief Press Officer.
From DWP, I then moved to the Home Office, DEFRA and the Department for Education. I did everything from drafting press releases, briefings for press conferences, and supporting media queries. There was lots to get my teeth into and each role gave me a bit more experience and a new set of strings to my bow.
In 2011 I set up my own company and for the next three years I did PR and Marketing for small businesses, after this I then went into a role at the Girls Day School Trust, where I undertook their comms and public affairs.
My first stint with GC
In 2019, I moved back to Manchester and I got a short-term contract with GC working in the Comms Team as PR and Communications Manager. It was similar to what I'd done in government, and included delivering some big events as part of our package of support to people. When Thomas Cook went into administration, I knew I was part of an organisation that was making a real difference to people’s lives.
After my contract ended in 2019, I decided to do something completely different. I retrained as an upholsterer, and I learned how to make chairs. I set up a business, and still do occasional commissions.
After that in 2023, I moved into a role working with adults with additional needs in Manchester at Creative Support. I supported people who needed help with their confidence, delivering activities and providing routine and structure in their lives.
Coming back
An opportunity came up at GC for a Marketing Manager within the Comms & Marketing team. I had great memories of working here before the pandemic, and I thought it would be lovely to come back – and come back to some familiarity after all off the different roles and the places that I’ve worked over the past 20-odd years.
I applied for and got the role at the end of 2023 and coming back felt a bit like coming home. I have quite a widespread suite of activities that I’m involved in promoting. I love the role because there’s lots of freedom and great opportunities for collaboration. I've probably now got age on my side, and a breadth of experience which is transferable. There's an opportunity to bring all of that into my role.
I’ve been back 8 months now, and it's quite clear that there's a willingness to do whatever it takes to get stuff done – and that really appeals to me. It’s great to be back!