March’s spotlight interview is with our lovely Managing Director, Leonie Walker.
How long have you been at Mando and how has your career progressed throughout the years?
13 and half years, wow time has flown by! After I finished University and moved back home, I needed to find a job. I opened the local paper (that’s how long ago it was!) and to my surprise saw a local job advertised for a German speaking Account Executive. I interviewed with Becky, and from my original AE role moved on to be a European Account Manager, then Head of Europe, with our team working across Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
After 7 years I was lucky to be granted a sabbatical for 3 months and travelled the world solo. When I came back, I worked with Charlie and Jo at Mando-Connect’s inception and then moved back to Promotions to focus on our UK operations. I’m now MD of Mando Promotions.
My life motto has always been ‘the grass isn’t always greener, it’s green where you water it’ and I try to action that every day. I’m passionate about the people at Mando and the work we do.
If you could live in one country for the rest of your life, what country would it be?
I think it would be London. Is that boring? I would love to live in LA or New York for 12 months, but ultimately home is where your people are, and mine is London!
What excites you about your work?
Every day is different, and every promotion is different even if it’s a similar mechanic. I’m always learning from experience and meeting new people. Two days are never the same.
Who is your brand to work with?
I think, it would be Haribo. For one, it’s a German brand (I’m half German), and the scope for fun and engaging Promotions is endless!
What’s the best advice you were given?
Relationships are hard work, you can’t just expect things to just work if you’re not putting the effort in. Whether its personal or business it always takes two.
Also, from a work perspective… Post It notes are your best friend!
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
Not everyone knows I’m a twin, we have a lot of twins in the family. My mum’s a twin and my dad’s sisters are twins!
What’s been your favourite promotion to work on?
We currently have a 19 Crimes Instant Win campaign running which has been great to work on. I got to visit the factory and oversee the seeding of the winning corks which was fascinating! It helps that I’m a big fan of the brand too!
If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
I think I would be a Spicy Margarita!
Any career advice you would give your younger self?
Have fun at all times. Life is too short so try not to sweat the small stuff. Maintain perspective and always treat others as you would like to be treated.
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?
Probably cry! Then I’d ask all my friends and family if they wanted to go on holiday with me and we’d have a massive group trip away… probably Bali! I would also shop shop shop!
