Name:

Kay Purser

Occupation:

I work within a small marketing team of three at the Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick. We undertake all marketing activities for the Centre to promote courses for non-traditional students either looking to return to education or for continuing professional development, primarily within the Midlands.

Our activities along with other aspects of the Centre contribute highly to the University's overall widening participation strategy, incorporating local community engagement, which helps Warwick to remain the top university in the Midlands. Within my role, I particularly enjoy co-ordinating our events and am told I have an eye for detail when proof-reading our printed literature! It's also nice seeing students on their Graduation day, which is really rewarding.

Why did you join JCI Birmingham?

My father, as a JCI Senator, told me about JCI (so you could say it is in the blood!), however, my initial attraction to JCI was because of its international aspects - I love travel and meeting new people so JCI seemed ideal! (I'm hoping to get to two international conferences this year!) Upon attending a couple of national events I knew JCI was definitely for me and what I had been looking for, and through attending these events I met Kirstie who mentioned she was relocating to Birmingham and from there the ball has been rolling to relaunch the chamber.

What are you looking for out of your membership of JCI Birmingham?

For me, I'm looking forward to using my marketing skills in a different capacity than that of my day job and in particular pushing myself out of my comfort zone by learning new skills through the excellent training opportunities JCI has to offer. Last but not least I'm looking forward to meeting new like-minded people and hopefully making some new friends for life!

What do you get up to in your spare time?

Currently I'm studying for a Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification, and I like attending Ballroom and Latin American dance lessons and zumba classes, in addition to socialising with friends over a nice meal and wine. My newest hobby (or addiction I should say!) is dress shopping because now I feel I have a more justified reason for buying nice evening dresses for all the JCI dinners I'll be attending!

Last trip outside of UK:

Budapest (in Hungary) last September for my birthday - such picturesque scenery and loved the café culture, and the cakes are to die for!

Three things I would take to a desert island (for no logical reason at all!):

1) Stuffed toy penguin as it's my favourite animal

2 Mascara as I can never leave the house without it on

3) Grazia magazine as it's my weekly guilty pleasure from constantly reading marketing textbooks!

Kay is JCI Birmingham's Marketing Director and Deputy President