March is a fantastic month for women. With International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March and the whole month celebrating Women’s History, we wanted to place a spotlight on all the inspiring, talented and accomplished women that we have in our senior leadership team at The PHA Group.
We asked them four quick fire questions to find out more about their journey, who they have become today and any words of wisdom they can impart. Our first chat is with Marina Hall, our Finance and Legal Director.
Marina Hall, Finance and Legal Director
What brought you to the PR world?
My career up to the point of launching The PHA Group was as a European Patent Attorney, so nothing at all to do with PR. When Phil, my husband and founder of The PHA Group, decided to set up his own PR agency, my obsession with detail and business plans meant I couldn’t stop myself joining forces. I concentrated on the business/legal, HR and finance side and allowed him to concentrate on doing what he does best, delivering for clients.
We had a mortgage to pay, it had to succeed! I developed a passion for people and HR. I love the variety, excitement and creativity of the PR world, and although I promised Phil two years of my time, 15 years later I’ve never left.
What would you say is your biggest achievement?
The easy answer is setting up The PHA Group! Being a part of developing a successful business that has grown from two people in a back bedroom to 100 plus staff, award winning, large PR agency.
Being on the map in this way was always our ambition, but actually we have spent so much time, energy and commitment creating and nurturing the agency’s culture, and that is what I am immensely proud of. We have always focused on creating a well-balanced, inclusive, happy family and it is something we never lose sight of and never take for granted. Working with my husband for 15 years and still staying married – another good one.
For any person you interview, what do you look for?
Good communication skills, great organiser are all the skills needed to succeed in communications. However, most skills can be learnt so what you really need is to see someone’s passion and desire for the role. That’s ultimately is what makes someone successful.
If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self any advice, what would it be?
Be flexible and embrace change. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as that is ultimately what keeps life exciting and you positive. Life runs along all different paths, embrace it. I give everyone I know a copy of Dr Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” for their 18th birthdays and I still read my copy when I need a reminder. It’s all the advice you need in life.