Let’s start at the beginning, can you tell us a bit about your childhood and education?
Mine was a fairly standard 80s childhood – roller-skating, making mix tapes, and watching films on VHS.
I did fairly well at school. Languages were a favourite and I studied French literature at A-Level. As there was no subject or field that I particularly wanted to pursue at university, I decided to get a full-time job instead.
Take us through your career journey. What were your first few jobs and how did you get into MedComms?
I didn’t have my career mapped out like a lot of people do and so, to a certain degree, I have let fate decide my next steps along the way. My journey has given me the opportunity to work in different sectors, and gain knowledge and experience that I might not have otherwise.
My first job was as a statistician for the Metropolitan Police Service. My experiences there gave me a good grounding for my future roles…and a geeky love of spreadsheets. From there I gradually moved into more marketing/communications-focused roles. I spent time at a European shipping line and a global company that specialised in information databases for the IP, engineering and life sciences sectors. It was in my role with a medical publisher that my journey into healthcare and MedComms really began.
I am fascinated by the medical world, so moving agency-side to work on campaigns for pharma was a good fit. After seven years at VCCP Health, managing projects and building the Project Management department, I decided to set up my own business. And that is how I came to work with Get Animated+.
I have also been a barista (ironically, I hate coffee) and an organic farmer.
What do you like best about working with Get Animated+?
The people. Everyone is great to work with and we laugh a lot.
What was your dream job when you were a child?
Air stewardess – it seemed much more glamorous when I was little than it does now though.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Somewhere warm, I hate being cold.
Tell us about two accomplishments you are proud of.
Workwise I am very proud of having delivered the pre-launch and launch campaigns for Roche’s metastatic melanoma drug, Zelboraf.
I am also very proud of being brave enough to step off the platform on the Nevis Bungy in New Zealand (I’m scared of heights!) — 8.5 secs freefall, 134m, lots of money in the swear jar afterwards!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Any pasta dish.
Lastly, if you were a super-hero, what powers would you have and why?
The ability to clone myself so I could get more done.
