BUSINESS INSIDER
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GEMMA SMITH Head of marketing, Burrington Estates What was your first ever paid job? When I was 15, whilst I was studying for my GCSEs, I worked weekends at my local pub, working in the restaurant prepping for the Sunday carvery – not the most glamorous of jobs but it gave me some pocket money! The pub was family-run, and my ‘bosses’ were the owners – lovely people who treated me like part of the family. It was a great start to building my people skills and working under pressure in a very busy environment!
Gemma Smith: carvery-prepping days way behind her
Tell us about Burrington Estates, and your role... I handle all marketing for Burrington Estates, which includes marketing for each of our distinctive developments from commercial to residential schemes.
What are Exeter’s strengths as a place to work? Exeter is a great city for a strong work-life balance – we have the calm countryside on our doorstep but the city is lively with lots going on. Exeter is also very well connected to London and the rest of the UK, which makes it an attractive city to work and live.
Who have been your biggest influences and role models? Hmm, this is a difficult question! I am lucky to have always been surrounded by motivated, influential people, from my parents and friends to university lecturers. My parents fundamentally are my role models, as their encouragement and support has got me to where I am now. I also must mention Remy Foucher, graduate project manager at Plymouth University – he helped me get my job, and has a strong network of contacts and knowledge!
And its weaknesses, or things that could be better? I think Exeter needs more business events that involve more diversity of businesses – the business community is very tight in Exeter and needs shaking up a little! What are your favourite stress-busting strategies? It’s got to be Friday Fizz at Hotel Du Vin or Forn, or (controversially) I like to hit the gym after a particularly stressful day as it helps let off steam.
What’s the best bit of career advice you’ve ever been given? Throughout university I was given numerous pieces of career advice, from how to write a CV to interview techniques – however, the best advice I’ve been given is to be confident in what you are doing and gain as much work and life experience as possible. What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy every part of my role, but I think the variety and how each day is different, is what I thrive on! The work culture is great, every member of the team is truly committed to the company and that really does shine through. What has been your greatest professional achievement to date? Receiving a promotion within the first year of working for Burrington Estates has been a great achievement. I started in the company as a marketing executive, and within a year I was promoted to head of marketing. I am now recruiting my own team in order to build my department. 72 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk
What are some of the oddest matters you’ve ever had to resolve at work? This is completely random, but the first thing that popped into my head was when I worked at a four-star country house hotel during my summers whilst I was at university. The strangest request that I ever had was a gentleman who asked for a raw, whole peeled onion for breakfast each morning. I felt sorry for his wife as he must have had some serious onion breath!
What’s the one item in your workplace you can’t live without (not including computer or phone)? The coffee machine. Coffee definitely helps me get through the day.
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS VERY TIGHT IN EXETER AND NEEDS SHAKING UP A LITTLE!
What’s the best bit of advice you could give a young person wondering what to do with their life? Get as much work experience as you can around studying. I’d suggest taking on summer internships or, if you can, do a year in industry as part of a university course. Getting experience whilst studying is really valuable and prepares you for when you are looking for your first full-time job. What’s your motto for life? Very simply, just be happy! There’s a lot of mottos out there, but I think all that matters is that you are happy with what you are doing – and, if not, do something about it! For more: www.burringtonestates.com