LAUNCHING:
ROSE ELLIS

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?

Associate Director EMEA Events & Exhibitions

WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?

I oversee the planning and delivery of Cushman & Wakefield’s corporate events programme.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?

As a child I had dreams of being a nurse or midwife, I loved babies and really wanted to care for people. What changed was the realisation that I am incredibly squeamish when it comes to blood or anyone who is injured! Not ideal for someone in a caring/medical profession.

WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?

I have 10 GCSE’s and decided to throw myself straight into the workforce rather than pursue further education.

WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

Be yourself and never apologise for that.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?

I have a two: My mum, who beat ovarian cancer in her early thirties despite the odds against her, she was determined not to leave my brother and I. My Grandmother who was the strongest woman I have ever met but also the kindest and funniest. I come from a family of strong, determined women which has served me well!

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?

My team, being surrounded by a group of fun, supportive and very talented young women every day. We have a lot of fun together.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?

The commute, 2 hours each way on public transport is painful. I cherish my work from home days

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?

I would like to be a Director/Partner within the business, potentially relocating to another office to experience living/working in a different country.

DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?

Yes I mean I probably swear less in the office (!) but I feel I am exactly the same at work as I am at home.

WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?

We do have some women in senior leadership roles – International Partners & Heads of Department, I hope this number will continue to increase over the next few years.

DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?

It’s really important and there are some great initiatives that our company has introduced to try and encourage more diversity in the workplace. It’s a work in progress but something that’s definitely going in the right direction.

HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?

Not great and it should be better, it’s something I need to work on. I should be stricter about answering emails in the evenings/weekends and taking my laptop home on a Friday night. Working with colleagues in different time zones means I have to be flexible. I also travel a lot and event management necessitates anti-social hours.

WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?

You need to be meticulously organised, a strong multi-tasker, a creative genius and have the patience of a Saint!

ANY FINAL COMMENTS?

As a mother of two girls (18 & 21) I have always felt a real responsibility to educate my daughters and ensure they grow up to be confident, independent young women with a strong work ethic. I hope that I have inspired them and shown them that you can be a mother but also have a successful career and you don’t have to choose one or the other.
I am encouraged to see how far maternity, child care and flexible working has improved since my girls were young and hope this continues to do so - supporting parents in the workplace.