Introducing another one of our fantastic judges, Georgina Wald whose favourite sandwich is Marmite and cucumber! Read on to find out more about Georgina and why she thinks retailers should enter these Awards.
“I’m looking for businesses that show creativity, innovation and flair and that have their customers front and centre”
Who are you? Where are you from? And what do you do?
I’m Georgina Wald, I was born and raised in Folkestone and I am the Corporate Comms Manager at Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC, the premium pubs and hotels business
What was your first job?
My first job was as a Saturday girl in Marks & Spencer during the day – and a burger chef at Taki’s Hamburgers in the evening.
What have been your career highlights so far?
Too many to mention! I’ve had a great career in PR from agency, to being a journalist on Publican Newspaper, to working for the BII, two stints at Fuller’s and even five years at Domino’s Pizza
What are you looking for in a winning entry for the Awards?
I’m looking for businesses that show creativity, innovation and flair and that have their customers front and centre
Why should retailers enter these Awards?
Winning awards is great PR for companies – but it’s not all about winning. Often, entering awards makes your really think about your business in new ways – and that’s never a bad thing.
Who or what has been your biggest influence to get you to where you are today?
Maureen Heffernan has always been a big influence on me. She taught me most of what I know about PR and she’s a lifelong friend. She’s not just been my biggest influence, but she’s also been my biggest supporter too. I worked for Maureen at the end of the 1990s when she was championing a pan-industry careers initiative. We should all have paid more attention at the time.
What’s the most unusual situation you’ve found yourself in because of your job?
There are so many – both really good and fun, and really harrowing. But I’ll stay positive and say on Concorde – or dancing in an amphitheatre, on my own, three feet from Jarvis Cocker who was performing with Pulp.
What would be your karaoke song? And why?
Definitely Bohemian Rhapsody – it’s the ultimate karaoke song and once I was singing it in a pub on a karaoke and someone put through a window behind me. A piece of glass sliced the top of my hand, severing a tendon and I ended up being given a general anaesthetic, undergoing surgery and being in plaster for six weeks! I still sing it though.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I was Miss August in the Ogie Hairdressing Calendar in 1989.
Your go-to sandwich fillings?
Marmite and cucumber or Brie and loads of pickle. My husband makes amazing sandwiches – they are works of art and should be on display rather than eaten.
Your favourite restaurant in the world?
Le Pescadou in Gassin, Var. It’s got the best Soup de Poisson and Escalope Milanaise on the Côte d’Azur.
Meet our full judges line-up for 2022 here.
