Like many, I’d wondered what 2020 Christmas ads were going to bring. Were they going to be focused on raising a laugh, a tear, a smile; reflecting on the tough year we’ve had or instilling hope for the future? Here are my thoughts on a couple of ads out this week...

I’ve noticed a number of my connections on LinkedIn have posted a wonderful message to offer their help and support to those they’ve worked with in the past during this time, which continues to be turbulent for many. I’m fortunate enough to be doing some exciting consulting work at the moment, but I’m also having conversations about permanent roles, which is my long-term goal and continues to take up a considerable amount of my focus.

Like many, I am active in the job market at the moment, searching for a CMO or Marketing Director role. Over the past few months, I’ve been exploring opportunities and have been in processes with a few different companies. Some have been good experiences; others have been disappointing.

At the start of April, I resigned from a permanent CMO role after just 4 weeks and very mindfully entered into a job market which was uncertain, to say the least, in search of a CMO or Marketing Director role. I’ve been extremely fortunate so far in my career, in that I’ve never had a period of not working, and I’ve moved from role to role seamlessly, so the experience of not working and at the same time looking for work is a brand new one to me.

Back in August 2018 when I decided to set up my own business so that I could consult as Interim Chief Marketing Officer at ClearScore, whilst formally learning to be an executive coach, qualifying seemed to be a long way off…

Earlier this week, I resigned from a Chief Marketing Officer role after only 5 weeks. Resigning from a role, with no immediate job to go to, as the world slumps into a recession is a bold move. The reason I made the decision is not only personal to me, but irrelevant to this post. However, I’ve reflected on it with some pride, as it’s not a decision I would have had the confidence to make a few years’ ago.

Monday marked the start of a new chapter for me. I joined LEON as Chief Marketing Officer and what a week it’s been! As each day went on, I got to unravel a little bit more of LEON.

I’m coming to the end of a wonderful chapter of my career and am about to start an exciting new one, as of March. I have just spent a year and a half working with ClearScore, as Interim Chief Marketing Officer. ClearScore is one of the most successful FinTechs in the world.

Last weekend I attended the School of Life Conference in LA. 3 days of focused learning on emotional intelligence and self-understanding in one of my favourite parts of the world. Yes please!

I decided to formally qualify as an Executive Coach after more and more people told me that I should do this. It was that simple. These people were mostly those I was already coaching, for example my team and peers at Les Mills or Argos, and even colleagues (who had become friends) from previous businesses who I had kept in touch with and coached ongoing. I have been lucky enough to work with executive coaches myself for many years now, and on more than one occasion they suggested that this could be something I pursue. This was a sign!