My first MD role (& the women who made it possible)

I was thrilled in June 2024 to be appointed Managing Director of PA Media Academy, the specialist media, communications and journalism training company of PA Media Group (formerly known as The Press Association and home of the national news agency of the UK and Ireland).  As I approach my first anniversary in this role, working with an exceptional team of tutors and commercial colleagues, it's another opportunity to reflect on the path to this role and the importance of the support and mentorship I've received from exceptional women at decisive moments in my career.  I’m certain they don’t realise just how pivotal they were.  Without them, I simply would not be in this exciting new stage of my career in journalism and communications:

Lea Sellers, specialist media trainer and formerly a leading journalist, including Foreign Editor at Channel 4 News and producer on BBC Question Time and BBC Newsnight.  Lea appointed me to my first on-screen reporter role at ITN on the children’s news programme First Edition.   She was hugely influential in shaping my career as a journalist and has been my trusted guide and confidante ever since.

Dorothy Byrne, former Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 and now President of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge.  Despite her exalted position at Channel 4 at the time, she was kind in a way I shall never forget when, as a producer on Channel 4 News, I missed out on the reporter role I had worked so hard for.  She invited me to lunch (the equivalent in media terms of being invited to tea with The Queen!), was reassuring and encouraging but, most importantly, eloquent on how to manage and respond positively to setbacks in career and in life generally. Her generosity, gravitas and wisdom left an indelible impression and she continues to inspire me.

Amanda Poole-Connor, former Managing Director of PA's broadcast PR and content agency, TNR and now Head of Communications & PR at Born Free Foundation, who first recruited me to PA in 2014.  Amanda offered flexible, agile working to accommodate my young family and recovery from breast cancer, modelled a coaching style of leadership (the first time I had ever seen or experienced this, despite having been employed in various workplaces for 15 years) and taught me the magic of Excel spreadsheets!  I’m still using the commercial and entrepreneurial skills she imparted and I take them with huge gratitude into my new role.

To these exceptional women, my deepest thanks and admiration.