You have been living in London since May 2023, what inspired you to move there?
I’ve always wanted to live abroad at some point in my twenties, but I wasn’t sure when. After the pandemic and multiple COVID-related redundancies, everything seemed to align, and it felt like the right time to try something new. I’ve always had a passion for travel, and that’s one of the things Kiwis rave about when it comes to living in London.
Tell us, what does your work in the role of Marketing Executive with Topdeck Travel look like?
In my role at Topdeck Travel, I’m primarily responsible for managing campaigns—from concept creation and asset briefing to performance monitoring and reporting. I collaborate with the Creative team on our requirements, and they produce stunning visuals that I then implement for our promotions. On a day-to-day basis, I handle our paid marketing channels like Meta, TikTok, and Google, while taking on anything generally marketing related that pops up.
Any highlights from your career to date?
Two moments really stand out. First, when I worked as the Marketing Coordinator at YHA New Zealand during the pandemic. With a limited budget, we pulled together a “12 Days of Christmas” campaign, partnering with ten other tourism providers like Tekapo Springs and Skydive New Zealand. We gave away accommodation and amazing local activities to twelve deserving winners just in time for the holidays. Despite the constraints, the power of organic social media and collaboration allowed us to achieve great results on a shoestring budget.
The second highlight is more recent, working at Topdeck Travel. We partnered with a TikTok content creator, sending her on a 28-day journey across Europe. The alignment between her personal brand and ours was spot on, resulting in authentic content that resonated deeply with her audience. Influencer marketing can be unpredictable, but when everything clicks and the creator exceeds expectations, it’s incredibly rewarding.
On the other hand, what have been some of your biggest career challenges?
Working in tourism during the pandemic was undoubtedly the toughest period of my career. I was with YHA New Zealand, a 90-year-old nonprofit accommodation provider. With international borders closing, we had to shift from an 80% international to a 100% domestic market. It was a tough transition, but we did a lot of work to broaden our appeal beyond just backpackers. It was especially hard when the organisation, having done so much for travellers, closed its doors in 2021.
What led to you deciding to complete your Bachelor of Commerce at UC, and any highlights from your time here?
I remember picking what to study at university felt like one of the hardest things ever, but my sights were always set on studying at home in Christchurch. My Mum is a creative and my Dad works in sales so one day it just came to me as a shower thought... marketing, the balance of creativity and numbers. My time at UC is full of fond memories, many of which involve the people I met—whether it was heading out to UCSA events with my flatmates or collaborating on group assignments for those 200 and 300 level marketing papers.
If you could give any advice to a new graduate looking to move overseas, what would it be?
Living abroad in London has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s normal to feel nervous at first, but the experiences, travel opportunities, and personal growth you’ll gain will make it all worthwhile. My advice? Connect with other Kiwis once you arrive. There’s something special about hearing that familiar accent in an unfamiliar place. London, in particular, offers a strong support network, and I met some of my closest friends within my first week at an event, which made the city feel like home so quickly. Take the leap—it’s worth it!
