Meet the team is our blog series that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the people of PB Comms. In each blog we hear from a member of the team about their personal stories, their career and professional insights, and advice for those entering the industry.

Lucy is a account director at PritchittBland Communications. She is an experienced financial and professional services communications specialist with over 16 years working for PR agencies in both London and Sydney. Lucy has experience creating thought leadership and strategic communications campaigns for brands in the banking, superannuation, asset management, wealth management, retail investing, and financial planning spaces. Prior to joining PritchittBland, Lucy worked for financial services PR agency Honner, based in Sydney. She has a BA Hons in PR and IT from Exeter University.

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What made you enter the marketing and communications field? 

I went to work with my Dad when I was 16 for a work experience week, and he happened to head up the finance department at a PR agency in London at the time. In all honesty, it showed me what I didn’t want to do… purely from a sector perspective. When I graduated, I did what I knew and started looking at jobs in PR agencies. It was an extremely competitive market back then, and I managed to land a grad role in a small agency working across corporate clients. Then the real education began. I remember having to literally measure column inches in the newspaper with a ruler for the coverage reports for clients. But the good thing about working in a PR agency? Writing. So much opportunity to write. And I love to write, so that worked out well for me.  

What’s a piece of advice would you give to those in the marketing and communications field? 

It’s PR, not ER. It will all be fine. The best agency owners I’ve worked for have all been quite calm and relaxed, never panicked. Now I see why. I think it’s quite easy to get swept up in thinking that everything is life or death, when it’s really not. Of course, some things are important and need to be actioned, but the reality is, we’re not saving lives. Establishing and maintaining a firm reputation takes time. Destroying it takes seconds.

How have you navigated career changes? 

I’ve had a couple of changes - from moving from London to Sydney 10 years ago, to starting a personal training business during COVID, coaching strength training, and running classes in a boxing gym in the City.

Navigating how differently PR agencies are operated here, how different the business environment feels, and how different the media landscape is, is something that no one prepares you for. I think with how many Brits are working over here, you would assume that it would feel very similar, but it couldn’t be any more opposite!

Both changes were planned, but also very unexpected experiences to traverse despite knowing what you’re doing!

What’s your favourite place you have travelled to? 

Growing up in the UK, we’re spoilt for choice with destinations on our doorstep, but I would be lying if I said I have one place – I have loads! Spain, Greece, Croatia – the food, the wine, the cities, the islands. Honourable mention also goes to Lyme Regis in Dorset in the UK, such a cute seaside town on the Jurassic Coast which we’ve been holidaying at since I was a baby. Lots of great old pubs, bakeries, and fish and chip shops. If you think Sydney has a lot of hills, get yourself to Dorset …

But those who know me know that I love Thailand. It’s an amazing country for a complete break, good food, great gyms, and sunshine. I have spent a lot of time there.

What’s your current obsession? 

Gold Kiwi fruits. Cold water dips. Toasted almond croissants. I never used to get them toasted, but I honestly don’t know what I was thinking, I’ve been missing out this whole time…