Todd Bennett is a customer communications manager at TalkTalk but at the age of 37, he’s also currently doing a Multichannel Marketeer Apprenticeship at UA92.
For the past five years he has worked in a communications role with TalkTalk, only moving under the brand and marketing team in the past three years and is also chair of the LGBTQ+ Employee Network at TalkTalk.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week and to showcase apprentices across all ages, Bennett shares all the lessons he’s learnt with us.
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
I am very much a firm believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! I make sure to fill up in the morning on a well balanced breakfast to get me started in the morning, otherwise I feel slightly irritable if I’ve not eaten! Hanger is not the one.
What’s been your luckiest break?
After graduating from university I got the opportunity to work for one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world, Walt Disney. I worked in one of the theme parks in Walt Disney World for a year which was a total dream come true. Not only was it a great experience to live and work in a different country, but to work for one of the most well known companies which I’ve loved since childhood was just incredible. It really was a showcase of allowing myself to realise I can do anything I put my mind to!
What’s been your best failure so far, and how did you overcome it?
Failing my driving test twice! Due to being a somewhat anxious person and not doing well in test environments, I knew I needed to get some more additional practice in with my driving instructor, go through all the scenarios and make sure I was mentally prepared for my 3rd test, which I passed! Planning is key, but when things don’t go your way, or out of your control, you need to take a bit of accountability and learn from it. How can I improve next time? Or how can I make sure that doesn’t happen again? Failure is part of life and will always be your best learning experience.
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
At the young age of 37 I wanted to really develop within my role and look at what is achievable for me in the future. I have always been interested in taking up an apprenticeship and working for a company that actively encourages personal development it was a no-brainer. Doing an apprenticeship in marketing will be really beneficial for me in my current role as well as future job opportunities with a view to one day become a marketing campaigns manager.
Which podcast or book would you recommend others to read/listen to, and why?
I am not one for listening to podcasts or reading books from a career development perspective but mainly from a winding down, entertainment perspective. I love a giggle and a way to switch off so my favourite Podcasts are usually comedy related, mainly The Bald and The Beautiful or My Dad Wrote A Porno! Both brilliant. I fear I need to listen to more though…
What are your career ambitions?
I would love to move into an area where I can work with LGBTQ+ businesses or charities to help them grow and thrive, whether through increased recognition or wider marketing support. The world is very hard for the LGBTQ+ community at the best of times, so being able to help my own community would be really rewarding for me.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your life so far?
For me, in the workplace, it’s been many of my people leaders. I have been so, so lucky to have been blessed with managers or heads of departments that really encourage growth and empowerment. I have always felt supported by my managers and that has influenced me to grow in my career.
Tell us something surprising about yourself?
I recently won a National Operatic & Dramatic Association award for Best Comedy Performance in a Musical 2024 for my role as Franz in Rock of Ages!
If you had a superpower skill, what would it be and why?
My superpower skill would be the power of persuasion. I could ask billionaires for their money and use it for the wider good, I could ask my local Starbucks Barista to give me a life time supply of coffee for free…the possibilities are endless!
What does success look like to you?
Success to me looks like being fully happy about what you do, the people you surround yourself with and what you put out to the world. You could be the most highly achieving person at your school/college/university/job and be getting paid millions…but if everyone’s opinion of you or experience of you is negative…then that to me is not a successful person. Success to me is all about having a positive impact in the world.
