Gavin D.
About me
| Gavin D. | |
| Politics | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Derwent | |
| 1992 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Chief Executive | |
| Newgate Communications | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Advertising, marketing and PR | |
| Medium-size business (50-249 employees) | |
| 2018 | |
| £250K+ |
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A day in the life of a Chief Executive in the United Kingdom
Started up my own communications / PR / public relations / public affairs agency after being Chief Executive of two large communications companies in the past
My career goals when I graduated
Just to do something interesting, ideally in the world of politics.
My career history
Started off as a Clerk in the House of Commons; over 12 years I was amongst other things Clerk of the Transport Committee and Clerk of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. I then left to join a lobbying firm, AS Biss & Co, which merged and grew over the years to become Mandate, where I was COO, and which in turn merged with two other firms to become MHP. I was CEO of that company from 2012 to 2016 before I left to join Porta and Newgate. I left there last year and started Park Street Partners.
What has helped my career to progress
Remembering always to listen as well as speak.
Courses taken since graduation
MBA, Open University Business School
How my studies have helped my career
The politics degree at York provided an entry into the civil service, which was the foundation stone of my career. It also aided my capabilities in critical thinking. The MBA I completed later gave me more craft management skills.
What surprised me about my career so far
How much I've enjoyed business challenges - and how important being able to write (reasonably) well has been in my career.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
Continuing to have fun with Park Street Partners - and spending more time travelling.
My advice to students considering work
Focus on real basics - being able to write well, add up, turn up on time, etc. This sounds patronising, but in my experience, over and over again, a lot of graduates are not great at these things. Also, though, learn how to stand out - my top tip is to write a blog or be active on social media with something intelligent to say. Any decent employer will look you up online these days. Conversely, look up the person and company you are talking to...
My advice about working in my industry
Listening and empathising is the key to giving great advice.
Contacting me
Happy to answer questions about working in PR, communications or public affairs, or in politics or the media.
What I do
I have started up my own firm, Park Street Partners, which gives corporate communications, PR and public affairs advice to a wide range of clients.
Skills I use and how I developed them
Management - I did an MBA via the Open University Business School between 2000 and 2004. Also writing, creativity, political understanding, advisory skills.
What I like most
Designing and delivering communications campaigns which enable big changes to organisations and to the UK's national infrastructure. Working with great people and great clients.
What I like least
Time-wasting, and people describing problems, not solutions.
What surprised me most
How much I've enjoyed business challenges - and how important being able to write (reasonably) well has been in my career.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Gavin’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Gavin a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Gavin to be your mentor.