The fact that there is still a gender pay gap, and a considerable number of women leaving the industry mid-career needs addressing.

By Fiona Brown, Director, Blakeney

Fiona began her career at Hill + Knowlton, a communications agency under WPP. She started as an intern and eventually worked her way up to Senior Account Director. However, as she moved through the levels, she began to struggle with imposter syndrome, feeling like others still saw her as the junior she once was, despite her seniority within the agency. Everything changed when she transitioned to an in-house role at WWF UK in 2020. That’s when she really recognised the value of her skills and experience.

Building Confidence

At WWF, Fiona found herself collaborating with scientists who whilst experts in their field, had little communications experience. She recalls a pivotal moment:

“I suddenly realised that I did know what I was talking about, where communications approaches that seemed obvious to me, baffled a group of highly intelligent scientists and environmentalists …”

This breakthrough boosted her self-belief and allowed her to recognise herself as a senior professional. Fiona then moved to Blakeney, joining as an Associate Director in September 2023, and within three months she was quickly promoted to Director.

The Importance of Training and Empathy

Fiona credits much of her growth and own development to the fantastic and sometimes not so fantastic managers she worked with during her junior career. She strongly believes that whilst as a leader you should be firm and hold your team to high standards, you should also take the time to be supportive and encourage people to learn from mistakes. She believes that listening and showing empathy are crucial traits for effective leadership.

“Giving people the time and space to learn is so important.”

She recalls advice from her first boss to calm nerves ahead of her very first pitch:

“I remember she said to me, people will recognise that you are the most junior person in the room, so if you make a mistake it's OK, people will want to support you and won't mind if you correct yourself." 

I always try to give the same advice to the teams I lead. I want people to be a success, and I don't mind if you make a mistake, as long as you learn from it.

Balancing Work and Personal Life

Fiona emphasises the importance of setting boundaries. With two young daughters, balancing work and family life can be a real challenge. She values flexibility to manage both her professional and family commitments but insists that family always comes first. “I will work really hard and always get the work done to the required deadlines, but there also needs be an acknowledgement that there may be moments during the working week when my family take priority - for example, a key school event like the nativity, or when sickness strikes.  I'm still working on work life balance, but being clear with yourself, your boss and your team on your boundaries is essential —juggling work and family life is tough!”

Promoting Gender Equality

Fiona is passionate about advancing gender equality in the workplace. She actively challenges the status quo, believing that a mix of voices and backgrounds is vital for a balanced and inclusive environment. While she acknowledges that the industry has made strides, she also sees the need for continued progress.

"The fact that there is still a gender pay gap, and a considerable number of women leaving the industry mid-career needs addressing. I strongly believe that if women in senior roles within our industry don't champion gender equality, then nothing will change. For me it's about opening doors for women in our industry who aspire to become leaders and making sure that when my own daughters enter the workplace, they don't face the same barriers that many face today."

Fiona’s journey highlights the power of empathy and understanding your own worth. Stay tuned for more inspiring insights and stories!