How and why did you decide to go into communications?

Like many comms professionals I started out in journalism, working for several financial newswires in London, so I was always contacted by lots of PRs when companies released their financial results or corporate updates. When I moved to South Africa in 2007, I had the opportunity to do some freelance PR alongside my editorial day-job, which was my first real exposure to how it all really worked.

Most financial journalism roles were in Johannesburg though and I was living in Cape Town, so not long after I joined a small, four-person financial services agency called Epic Communications, which had been founded a few months earlier. Two years later, I ended up moving to Johannesburg after all to open the office there and within five years we had 50 staff running some of the biggest names in the country – the financial regulator, industry bodies, banks, insurers and asset managers.

What I enjoyed most about journalism was the access to leaders in their field and having the opportunity to speak to them – which is something that communications also allows; except that you can see behind the curtain a bit more.

Describe your working pattern over the course of an average week and how you find a work-life balance.

While there’s a rhythm to life in communications, anyone who works within it also knows that there is no average week. Some may be full of meetings with clients and launching campaigns, during others you’re attending or hosting events – and in between you’re writing content, developing strategies, and coming up with new ideas.

I would say most people have found a better work-life balance post the pandemic, as everyone around the world was essentially in the same position for several years, which was a leveller and helped people realise the value of balance. I remember a CEO telling me it also made him realise not only the importance of striking that balance for himself, but also the importance of setting that example to his own staff.

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

I always find the changing nature of politics and political parties interesting. Politics has felt quite visceral over the last 10 years – with little room for reasoned debate. Polarising events like Brexit and the impact of social media has obviously played a significant part in this but I think (or I like to hope) that we’re entering a more balanced era now.

From an industry perspective, we’re in the midst of the asset management industry’s first real recession in 15 years which is having some profound impacts – our own clients are adapting to the needs of new investor audiences, identifying new asset classes whether organically or through acquisition, as well as new vehicles to deliver them. It’s all change … but perhaps it always is.

What do you do in your spare time?

In this career, reading is a key part of the role; but I do also enjoy reading the news for my own interest. Having studied English Literature at university though, I still enjoy unwinding with a book – but something completely different to the day job. I also enjoy writing when I make the time… and probably have 30 first chapters under my belt. The hard part is writing the second!

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

This is probably the hardest question for me to answer. I was in a book shop earlier today and saw several others I could include here, but I’ll limit it to one. It isn’t the most recent, but the story remains with me, which for me is always the sign of a good book. ‘Homegoing’ by Yaa Gyazi, which was recommended by my sister and is a phenomenal tale that follows how two strands of a family (one that remains in Africa and one that is enslaved to the US) evolve over generations, with everything that those experiences would entail.

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

From a personal perspective, I would like to get back to doing some art in my spare time. I initially planned to do an Art degree at university, after completing my Foundation course, but ended up switching to English. As with most things in life, the more time and effort you put in the better the outcome, so I need to dedicate more time to experimenting rather than expecting to produce a masterpiece on the first attempt.