Meet the Bright Sparks

Alix de Brabant

Prestige Communications Manager, Chivas Brothers

What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass onto others?

"Don’t be scared to have an opinion". I started my career quite young, as a woman working in a luxury fashion house in Paris, and I was always scared to speak up and make my voice heard as I didn’t feel I had enough credibility. A few years later, I had a line manager who really encouraged everyone in the team to have an opinion, independent of our role or seniority. I can’t thank her enough for pushing me to do that.

A second piece of advice that was given to me by my father when I was a lot younger was to enjoy what you do. It might sound simple, but if you love what you do, you’ll always be motivated as you won’t feel like you’re working.

What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?

It might be predictable, but after almost two years of Covid-19, everyone at Chivas Brothers was really keen to get back together. Over the past year or so, we’ve launched some exceptional Royal Salute whiskies and campaigns for the brand, including two that were revealed at stunning events, one at the Tower of London and the other during Frieze London at Tate Britain. From seeing guests’ eyes sparkle to tasting the amazing whiskies to going through the PR coverage achieved, it’s made me realise how lucky I am to do my job. I’m part of a team responsible for making people come together and spend time creating memories. What’s not to be passionate about?

What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?

A few months ago, we introduced a beautiful, and more sustainable, coated glass bottle for Royal Salute’s biggest-selling expressions. This is all done as part of the brand’s journey into sustainability, as by doing so we’ve been able to significantly cut our packaging carbon footprint. Initiatives like these really show that it is possible to be a luxury brand and sustainable at the same time, and I’m really proud to play a part in this story.

What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?

We have a lot in the pipeline for Royal Salute this year, and I can’t wait to see these being released. On a more personal level, I’m keen to bring even more creativity and boldness in our strategies, looking at new ways to attract audiences, whilst continuing the brand journey into sustainability, to really make an impact and position Royal Salute as a true contemporary brand.

Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?

I’ve just moved into a new place, so I’m really excited to decorate it and make it my home. I’ll also be turning 30 in a couple months so I’m looking forward to celebrating with my friends and family.

chivasbrothers.com

Lee Powell

Vice President – Brand & Product, Cunard

What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass onto others?

One of my previous managers once said to me: "everyone has the best intentions - nobody gets out of bed to do a bad job". I think believing in this principle is key to building trusting, honest and supportive relationships with everyone you work with. And I think it’s these genuine relationships that are important for everyone’s success.

What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?

I remember the day our first Transatlantic Fashion Week on Queen Mary 2 set sail – a voyage over to New York celebrating fashion. The Times carried a front-page image of a Storm model in front of a Cunard red funnel sporting a new creation from a Royal College of Art fashion graduate. This was a moment Cunard started to signal a forward-looking direction and we were getting noticed for it – doing something different whilst staying true to our brand essence of style. It was this moment that reaffirmed to me the potential of the Cunard brand and the opportunity we had to reach new audiences.

What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?

This year, we’ve started to reveal to the world some of the details of our new ship, Queen Anne, launching in 2024. Seeing the positive reaction of our guests, our on board crew and our office-based teams to the name of the ship, the new interior designs, and the new concepts on board has been really rewarding. The culmination of years of hard work from many different teams is starting to become a reality and it’s exciting to be part of this new chapter.

What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?
 
To look beyond my immediate horizon of Queen Anne and seek out new inspiration from my external network for a new era of Cunard beyond 2024 where we will have four Queens sailing the world.

Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?

It’s a year full of special family birthdays and some exciting holidays, but, I have to say, I’ll be particularly looking forward to a trip to Liverpool to celebrate The Eurovision Song Contest in May. One of my guilty pleasures!

cunard.com

Kerstin Remy

Commercial Director – Sales & Marketing, The Hari

What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass on to others?

An old boss of mine once told me that a good work ethic is the best way to maintain motivation and momentum in your own career as well as in those around you. Even though it can sometimes be challenging, good wellbeing is and continues to be at the forefront of The Hari. Therefore, we introduced a People & Wellbeing Lead to check in with our team members and to make sure that, at whatever level, we are promoting a strong work ethic. For me, this means encouraging a healthy work-life balance, as well as a respectful culture in the workplace.

What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?

There is no one moment; it’s the people that I’ve met, the team I work with, and the hotel atmosphere that really makes coming to work every day so special.  

What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?

After the pandemic, The Hari had a great 2022 and I am proud of what we have achieved as a team. The last few years have shown the importance of sustainability in our lives and more importantly, in business, which is why one of our greatest achievements is being awarded Bronze Benchmarked Evaluate certification through EarthCheck, the world’s leading business advisory group specializing in sustainability and destination management for the travel and tourism industry.

As a family-owned hotel, sustainability has always been present and top of The Hari’s mind. However, in 2022 we put an emphasis on bringing the property forward on all its green initiatives. From employing Angela Montebello as Sustainability Executive and creating a Sustainability Management Plan with goals to see the hotel through to 2030 now available on The Hari’s website, to completely refreshing the hotel amenities and mini bar selection, the whole team has been an essential part of all The Hari has achieved this year.  

What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?

2023 is an exciting time for The Hari, as we will be undergoing a renovation in quarter one, which I am thrilled to be a part of. In addition, I am very much looking forward to building on the success of The Hari Art Prize for its second year and continuing to support new generations of talent in London and across the globe.

Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?

If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that time with friends and family Is precious. That's why, in 2023, I am most looking forward to visiting friends and family I haven’t seen for a while due to the pandemic. I believe we all should make time in the coming year to reconnect and create new memories with our loved ones.

thehari.com

Laura Uccello

Partnerships Director, Saatchi Gallery

What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass onto others?

“Keep it simple and beautiful”. My Italian grandfather would repeat that to me over and over again anytime I showed him my school projects or even just a simple drawing. Anytime I doubt myself on how I should present a project to an artist or a share an exhibition to a potential supporter, I always go back two those two key words “simple” and “beautiful” to find my way forward. Similarly, when guest curators share exhibition concepts with me the simplest concepts always contain the most exceptional works.

What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?

This year I worked closely with curator Antwaun Sargent and met photographers Campbell Addy, Nadine Ijwere and Tyler Mitchell whose works are featured in our Winter 2022 exhibition The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion. Getting to know these exceptional creatives and learning about their experiences in both the art world and the fashion industry really cemented my passion in working on projects that set dialogues between these two creative worlds.

What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?

2022 was an incredible year for Saatchi Gallery and there were many moments that made me really proud of what our team achieved following the lockdown closures. A special personal achievement that stands out in 2022 was securing major funding for our Learning Department to reach 10,000+ participants through our upcoming Spring 2023 exhibition, Beyond The Streets London.

What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?

I am incredibly grateful to Walpole for the opportunity to attend the Luxury Strategy Course at LBS in the Spring 2022. In 2023, I look forward to continuing my studies in Luxury Strategy in order to gain insights that will help me build more comprehensive partnerships with luxury brands.  

Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?

I recently bought my first home in Puglia, Italy and look forward to spending more time with my mother in our new home in 2023. 

saatchigallery.com