“To think these reporters are writing for the world and everyone reads them, and I’m helping inform their content, is amazing. You get on such good terms with reporters too, which is great. It’s creating your own network with really established names in the industry.”
Q: Tell us about your job and the clients you work for?
Each day is hard to predict because of the news agenda, but that’s what makes my job interesting. I do a lot of media relations, keeping on top of financial trends and events and learning beyond what I thought possible. You learn a lot of things you never thought you could speak about with confidence.
My clients are established investment and financial services brands that are known in the sector and the media, with great reputations. They have great core values and are passionate about their work. My role is to slot in with the client, listen to their outlook and repackage this into newsworthy material.
Q: What has surprised you about working at Peregrine?
A: Probably how close knit our relatively small team is. The variety of clients is interesting, but it’s even better that everyone gives their time so readily and everyone pulls their weight. Everyone works hard, but it is for the benefit of clients and their colleagues, which makes for a nice environment. It motivates you.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: I feel like I’m busy and I’m doing important work. All of our clients are well-established and speaking to journalist on their behalf makes me feel valued. And I’m always learning. For example, I was talking to a friend from a global asset manager the other day about arranging a TV spot with Bloomberg and he was in shock that someone my age was working directly with executives from two very well-known investment brands. To think these reporters are writing for the world and everyone reads them, and I’m helping inform their content, is amazing. You get on such good terms with reporters too, which is great. It’s creating your own network with really established names in the industry.
Q: How would you describe the culture at Peregrine?
A: It’s a good mixture of hard work, dedication and fun. We understand that everyone has their own lives outside work; that’s an important consideration. If it has been a long week and everyone is wilting, I can think of several times when we all jointly said let’s leave a bit early and go to Regents Park or for a drink. You don’t feel like you have to sit there and do ‘face time’ for the sake of it like in other organisations – those pretending-to-be-busy cultures. We all use our time effectively when we are here, which doesn’t mean long hours. I think there is a stigma in some companies where talking about an interest outside work with colleagues is perceived as not giving 100% to your job.
I am a sprinter: I like to do things in short bursts as I go back more focused. If I want to talk to someone about everyday life in between, that’s the norm here. I suppose I feel comfortable finding my own way of working – and that’s celebrated as I still get results.
Q: How do you think marketing is changing in the financial services sector?
A: This I feel strongly about. Companies are having to adapt and change very quickly with our new era of technology and how communications can be actioned. It’s important for companies to be able to present their messaging and views in a clear, concise, well-presented way that engages their audience. If they can’t do that, they won’t have a chance of survival, as there are too many smaller rivals that will overtake them. They can’t just be a well-known name. They have to have a presence, primarily digital but also holistically.