“A former Deputy Prime Minister once called me a t**t”: Prolific North’s quotes of the year 2022

Thierry Ngutegure, Head of Insight, Journey Further

“My self-belief sometimes has its own gravity, and that gravity crushed me when I tried to become a stand-up comedian. Why did no one stop me!? On the upside, being laughed off multiple stages at a really young age, has given me incredibly thick skin.”

Joining Journey Further earlier this year from Rise at Seven, Thierry Ngutegure shared some of his successes, failures and lessons he’s learnt in his career.

Charlotte Bella, Senior Product Manager, Booking.com

“After two years here I realised I wasn’t challenged as much as I needed to feel enjoyment in the role, so I made an internal move. You have to recognise that constant growth is crucial to your success.”

Charlotte Bella shared how she initially started her career in the financial services industry 20 years ago to how she switched to product management, now working for travel giant Booking.com.

Amy Mayers, Post production manager, McCann Manchester

“I’m working from the office today, and it feels good. My day starts with my usual cup of tea and a cheeky pain au chocolat in our Bistro. We need a voiceover recording for today’s pitch film – this isn’t a job for my bargain basement Mancunian voice… “

Amy Mayers took us behind the scenes to show us what a busy week filled with exciting projects looks like at McCann Manchester.

James Wilkinson, CEO, Zuto

“I have a coaching session every other week to keep me balanced and chat through my emotions, particularly around my 12-year-old son Jimmy. Jimmy has a rare condition called Prader-Willi syndrome and last year Kate and I made the difficult decision to send Jimmy to a residential school to help with his development.”

As CEO at Manchester-based online car finance marketplace Zuto, James Wilkinson gave us a candid insight into his private life and working week.

Hayley Peters, PR Director, Smoking Gun

“I do check my emails occasionally, mainly because I’m a control freak, but as I’ve got older (and had more kids) I am much better at switching off. Plus, I work with a fab team that never really contact me on my day off. Smoking Gun is very respectful of staff out of office time and super supportive of working parents.”

As one of the leading figures at communications, social and creative agency Smoking Gun, Hayley Peters offered a glimpse into a week in her life.

Paul Corcoran, CEO, Agent

“You deserve a place around the table, too. Even when you don’t think you’ll be able to achieve something, or you think it’s not meant for people like you, it is. Doing well, working hard and truly enjoying your work is not just for certain people, it’s for everyone. You have a place there.”

As a well-known figure in the North, Paul Corcoran shared all the lessons he’s learnt from his lucky break launching Agent to the advice he’d offer his 21-year-old self.

Sasha Marks, Managing Director, Brazen

“Relocating back to Manchester with a broken heart and a 15 month old baby while commuting to London and Leeds for work every day was by far the most challenging time of my life. But, as the old cliché predicted, I didn’t die and I did indeed become stronger and much more resilient.“

From how she bagged a job at creative PR agency Brazen to being the height twin of Danny DeVito, Sasha Marks gave us a glimpse into her life.

Gary Jenkins, Managing Director, No Brainer

“When I was a journalist, a former Deputy Prime Minister once called me a “t**t”.”

With a fascinating career working as a journalist and communications specialist before launching PR and content agency No Brainer, we found out all the lessons and luckiest breaks Gary Jenkins has had.

Ed Thompson, CTO and co-founder, Matillion

“We do things wrong and fail some of the time but I firmly believe that’s the best way to discover how to do things right and truly innovate.”

Launching Matillion alongside CEO Matthew Scullion in 2011, the tech company has become one of the North’s regional success stories with a valuation of over $1bn. Ed Thompson shared what a busy week at his tech company looked like.

Mark Sellers, Managing Director, TalkTalk Business

“Not getting that grades that I wanted at A-levels to get into my first-choice university. At the time, it felt like the end of the world but in reality, it taught me the importance of being well-prepared and committing to things 100%, no matter the obstacles.”

From sharing who has had the biggest influence on his working life to sharing a surprise performance he once did at Royal Albert Hall, we found out about all the interesting lessons Mark Sellers has learnt.

If you’d like to be involved in any of our regular features in 2023, please contact rachael@prolificnorth.co.uk.