How and why did you decide to go into communications?

I always knew I wanted a job combining writing and strategic thinking and that’s how I see PR. I studied theology at university. Then one of my first jobs was content editing for PwC, which I ended up doing for 5 years. This was great and gave me a good sense of financial literacy early on. Other sectors I’ve worked in include mining/natural resources, fashion PR, agrifood & meat, but I really feel like I’ve found my home in financial PR.

How have you found hybrid working over the last few months?

It’s definitely been an interesting transition, since I’ve now worked for a few firms both before and during the pandemic, all of whom had differing approaches to hybrid working.

I really love the balance we’ve struck at JPES because I find our in-office days so valuable. Being in the office is very productive both in terms of focus and collaboration with colleagues—and I always look forward to being with our lively team!

On the other hand, it’s great to also have some time at home when you can really buckle down and get through more individual tasks.

What areas or trends interests you the most at this time?

I’ve been really interested in what’s been happening in fixed income markets over the course of the past year or so. On one hand, with inflation hitting so many countries hard and central banks continuing to raise interest rates, we’re seeing a lot of opportunities emerging in corporate credit all the way up and down the rating scales. On the other hand, there’s been a spate of recent elections, in countries such as Turkey and Greece, to name a few. We’ve seen how this can really impact sovereign debt markets and I think it will be really interesting to watch the fixed income space over the next 24 or so months.

What do you do in your spare time?

I’m a huge cinephile and I watch everything I can get my hands on. I go to the movies weekly, enjoying old classics like Bergman and Buñuel, but I also like some new stuff. Any international films, for example Iranian director Asghar Farhadi— bring it on.

Outside of that, I live in Richmond and spend lots of time in Richmond Park and around nature. I also love wandering around London for hours not knowing where I’ll end up.

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to?

I recently reread “The World of Yesterday,” an autobiography by the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig. It’s a captivating account of his life as a European intellectual during the early 20th century. Zweig shares his personal experiences and encounters with various figures of his time, including artists, writers, and filmmakers. His narrative delves into the vibrant cultural scene of the era, exploring the interconnectedness of art, history, and society.

Name one goal, professional or personal, you have set yourself for the next 12 months

I’d like to continue to spend plenty of time outside as I really want to make more of an effort to disconnect from technology over the course of the next year. As a part of that, I also want to travel around the UK a bit more. I recently visited Oxford and it was just the break I needed. I’ve been living in the UK many years but there’s so much I haven’t explored. I attended Durham University and I definitely miss that part of the country too. Next up I’d really like to visit the Lake District.