Day in the life- Marketing Director

With two children under five years of age, I’m definitely becoming a morning person. This is a good thing in my job because my day normally starts early, either in the office or at a networking breakfast. I’m a big fan of the business breakfast, as it normally involves free food and a great opportunity to chat to potential and existing clients.

I’ve recently taken up the role of chair of the M4 Business Network, for which Peacheys is the main sponsor. This Network has been meeting for breakfast four times a year since 1994, and it’s a great privilege to be instrumental in organising something which has resulted in the formation of so many strong business relationships over the years. I was appointed as marketing director at Peacheys Chartered Accountants at the start of 2009, with the aim of increasing the turnover and profit of the practice.

How you do that is obviously not that simple, but the discipline and principle of marketing is the same whatever your industry sector. It is this structured marketing planning approach I have taken with Peacheys, as it has served me well in past roles. The implications on your working week of following that approach means your workload is stimulatingly varied. A normal day can see me hosting a networking breakfast at the Celtic Manor, briefing a design agency, listening in on the calls being made by our telesales team, meeting the PR Agency, meeting a potential new client and taking customers to the rugby. That’s also balanced of course with slightly less exciting tasks like, manipulating huge amounts of data as CRM systems are upgraded and general business responsibilities such as negotiating servicing contracts.

My previous roles, especially the last one in the regional press, have helped me build up a large network of local and regional contacts, and whilst this might not be in any marketing textbook, it is a vital tool in taking any business forward. Extracting the maximum value from networking opportunities is an essential skillset for any marketer and I have always tried to engage with as many of these opportunities as possible. Of course talking to potential clients with a beer in your hand, whilst watching Wales play six nations rugby, is always a little easier than the 6.45am breakfast meeting 20 miles from home, but you never know who you will be sat next to!

I’m very lucky at Peacheys to work with some pretty dynamic fellow directors (yes accountants can be interesting!) and a committed and professional team of 40 staff in a modern new headquarters in the regenerated waterfront area of Newport. Our approach is to provide business solutions for our customers, and not to be passive number crunchers, hence our range of business consultancy services. For me, it’s all about exceeding our clients’ expectations, being versatile and improving through change.

Outside work I am a huge sports fan and have travelled the world watching Wales and The Lions play rugby. I have also previously served as a non-executive director for Newport County Football Club, which was a great experience. I’m already picturing my two boys walking out at the Millennium Stadium with the three feathers on their chest. No pressure there then!

Home