Taking it all in her stride
When Anji Hunter visited our graduation ceremonies in the summer, she radiated energy and enthusiasm for the work of her alma mater.
Little wonder that since leaving Brighton in 1988 with a Combined Studies (Humanities) BA(Hons) that these qualities combined with her clarity of vision and drive, have propelled her to a key position as an authoritative figure in British industry.
Anji started her career as political assistant to newly elected MP Tony Blair, later becoming Director of Government Relations for Blair’s government in 1997. At the time she was described as “the most influential non-elected person in Downing Street”.
From 2002 until 2009, Anji was Group Director of Communications at BP, with responsibility for internal and external communications. She then took on the role of Director of External Affairs at the global conglomerate Anglo American plc, overseeing relations with the communities and governments where the company operates.
In October 2011 Anji joined the Royal Academy of Engineering as Director of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. The award has been billed as the British equivalent to the Nobel Prize.
Although no 24 hours are the same given her demanding schedule, Anji talked us through a recent day in her career.
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Wednesday 11 July 2012 |
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7.30am |
Business breakfast at the Walbrook Club – Sir Richard Broadbent, chairman of Tesco talks about predictions for the economy. |
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9.15am |
Meeting in the House of Lords with Alec (Lord Broers, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Prize judging panel), to finalise the judging process and timelines. |
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11am |
Return to office across St James’ Park – mega Olympics stuff underway. Emails, calls – Richard Highfield at the Science Museum is dead keen to get engineering into its Britain is Great campaign, and is on our wavelength completely. |
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12pm |
Young Engineers Focus Group: invited group of 15 to discuss areas of endeavour and where the exciting breakthroughs have been – sonar, touch screens, seat belts, airbags, spray-on fabric, agriculture (GM food got a big thumbs up), water purification, to name but a few. Really enthusiastic bunch. |
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1.30pm |
Sandwich lunch with them. Our new building creates such a brilliant impression – gone are the oak-lined rooms and in are the pale grey carpet and funky engineering on the walls. |
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2pm |
Meeting with Landor and Edelman (our respective brand and PR gurus), to discuss plans for the trophy competition app and brainstorm generally on upcoming opportunities. Landor has done really good stuff on the influencers ie those who guide (or generally, don’t guide) 10–14-year-olds towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Said we need to reach parents through social media – mumsnet etc. |
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3pm |
Conference call with Jaguar Landrover re our away day on Friday – to look at all the R&D etc. They asked if we’d like to test drive the new Jag … Er, yes, I think so! |
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3.30pm |
Meeting with our press and education guys here re getting a press release together and sorting other media activity around Engineering UK’s annual report into perceptions and take-up of engineering, which is being published around GCSE/A-level results time. Will show attraction of traditional careers (ie us) in these uncertain times. Also discussed the Government Spending Review – have the potential to really influence here. |
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4.30pm |
Call with Cabinet Office to update on activities and then LOCOG re our leaflet on Engineering the Olympics. Great opportunity to get it in to the International Media Centre, providing we can get it done and dusted, signed off by the various stakeholders, 1000s printed in colour and in there next week. |
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4.45pm |
Meeting with team to talk through our respective inputs to the board meeting tomorrow. We’re in good shape, prepared well. Also went through what I’ll need for my presentation to the Royal Academy’s Council and Annual General Meeting next week. Sharing with Alec (Lord Broers), only got a 10-minute slot, so ok. |
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5.30pm |
Back at desk – tons of emails |
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6.30pm |
Dash home, change of clothes and up to the Emirates stadium for the Labour Party sport fundraising do. Cracking speeches from Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair and Ed Milliband – good to see everyone in such good form. |
What has been the most surprising thing youhave learnt or discovered in your career?
Expect the completely unexpected and seize the moment. Even bad things have surprising and often good consequences. I’ve also discovered work can be totally joyous, an endless source of new things to learn, great camaraderie and lots of laughs.
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?Please describe them.
I’ve had an amazing career, which a degree here undoubtedly propelled me in to, and have been incredibly lucky – with the jobs I’ve done, the bosses I’ve had, the teams I’ve been in. And I don’t have any regrets about any of it. Though I have to admit I would love to have been in the House of Lords, anachronistic and undemocratic as it is...
What has been your mantra for when thegoing has got tough?
What goes around comes around. It’s a brilliant mantra, oft repeated to me by my dad when I was growing up. It means be nice with people, and they’ll be nice with you; put lots in and you'll get lots out, and nothing bad lasts.
Words from the wise
In March, Anji returned to our Falmer campus as a guest speaker for the Alumni Advice Network. She gave an inspiring talk on her top five tips for the world of work to our humanities students.
Anji is pictured with humanities student Kelly Heane, who was clearly delighted with the advice Anji provided and commented: “Anji Hunter is so inspirational and a fantastic asset for the University of Brighton, its students and alumni. I’m so pleased I got to see her talk at my university.”
