Q&A with John Booth, Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Scottish Enterprise

We caught up with John Booth, Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Scottish Enterprise, ahead of the Inspiring Women in Business Conference.

Tell us a bit about our partner event, the Inspiring Women in Business Conference and the session you’ll be chairing?

The Inspiring Women in Business conference is aimed at senior businesswomen who are looking to take the next step in their career - going from manager to leader, taking a seat at the board, or "pivoting" to start their own business or break into a new industry. It's a great event and a day of inspirational stories from speakers including: Kezia Dugdale MSP, former leader of the Scottish Labour party; chair of the Women's Business Council and former group CEO of AMV BBDO Dame Cilla Snowball; and Jeanette Forbes, founder, PCL Group and Business Women Scotland’s Inspirational Woman of the Year (2015).

I'll be Guest Chair on the Getting A Better Balance, Making Your Work Day Work For You panel. We'll look at what people can do to get a better work/life balance, explore the different options available and look at some of the lies we tell about flexible working, as well as looking at how to do it well, the challenges and the opportunities. 

Who inspires you and why?

I draw inspiration from all kinds of places. On a personal level, from my parents who continue to shape who I am and my eight-year-old daughter who reminds me to live In the moment. On a professional level, I learned a huge amount from my last boss at the Scottish Government Barbara Allison and my first editor as a journalist taught me the power of saying 'thank-you'.       

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Lots of things I'm proud of but In recent times being a founding partner of Brand Scotland and launching the Scotland Is Now campaign. It's an honour to be part of promoting our country and everything It stands for. 

If you could give your 16-year-old self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

Don't plan too much, grab opportunities when they arise and maintain perspective.

What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?

Maintaining perspective!

Tell us about your favourite ad campaign, social campaign or commercial. Why does it stand out for you?

HSBC's 'We Are Not An Island' - simple and important

What’s top of your bucket list?

I still have ambitions to publish a novel one day. I just need to get past the first chapter!

Marketing Society members can take advantage of a 40% discount on tickets by quoting MS40 at checkout when booking here.