The global licensing community is guided by an incredible group of senior executives whose diverse backgrounds and creative energy drive innovation and excellence. Each month, we’re profiling one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How do you start your day?
Before heading into the office, I’ll try to go to the gym or for a run. I would be lying if I said I managed to do this every day, but I find it’s important to keep in relatively good shape, both physically and mentally.

What’s one item you always need on your desk?
Something to drink—whether that’s coffee, tea, or water. It’s easy to forget to keep hydrated through the day as calls, emails, and meetings can all make you lose track of time.

What unique skill or characteristic do you bring to your team?
Connective power. As WildBrain CPLG has grown into a global company that now has 22 offices across the world, part of my job is making sure everyone in the different regional teams connects and works together as one cohesive operation. Collaborating and sharing our learnings is crucial, as it ensures we can offer clients and licensees a world-class and truly joined-up service, which really maximises global commercial opportunities.

What is something you learned at a previous job that prepared you for your current role?
Multi-tasking. In my previous role, it was the first time I had teams in different locations and I found that managing from a distance can bring its own unique challenges. It’s hugely important to me that teams can easily reach me and quickly get an answer to any queries, no matter how big or small. To achieve this, you need to be very flexible in your time allocation and I’ve found having the ability to easily jump between different tasks has, overall, been incredibly useful in such a fast-paced and dynamic sector.

What is your favorite aspect of your current role?
I really enjoy the fact that no two days are the same, and I think licensing in general is a very exciting place to be as there are always new opportunities or a new deal to chase. Within WildBrain CPLG we’ve had a period of rapid growth, which has positively impacted every part of our organization—the process of building, improving, extending, and growing changes day by day, and that keeps me energized and motivated.

What is one thing you would change about the licensing industry?
I’d like the industry as a whole to be much more global in its approach, which is something we’re actively striving for at WildBrain CPLG by opening up new local operations, such as our recent expansion into the APAC region. Historically, the U.K. and U.S. seemed to be dominant territories in our industry, but it feels like this is now changing, which I find a really exciting prospect.

If you had an extra hour in your work day, how would you use it?
To spend more time with my colleagues as there are often not enough hours in the day to properly connect with everyone. I’d use the extra hour to have those valuable chats by the coffee machine and find out what they did on the weekend, what their struggles are, and what excites them.

What is one thing you need to do every day to feel accomplished?
I try to make sure I clean up my inbox on a daily basis—this is sometimes challenging, especially if I’ve been in meetings all day. I try to live by the rule of answering, or at least acknowledging receipt of an email, within 24 hours.

Are you a carry-on or checked bag traveler?
Definitely a carry-on traveler. My business trips are typically four to five days long, and everything I need can easily fit into a carry-on and saves a lot of time waiting at the airport. It also saves the frustration of lost luggage!

What do you always have in your suitcase on a work trip?
My gym outfit.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing?
Sports management—perferrably in the exciting and fast-paced world of Formula One.

What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
Create change and follow your gut feeling. Very often, traditional corporate structures mean young talent aren’t always given an opportunity to voice their ideas that have the potential to help companies prosper. At WildBrain CPLG, we really encourage everyone to be vocal and actively source ideas from within the company at all levels. I strongly believe a company should tap into the ideas of young talent and give them a platform to try things out even if they make mistakes, as it’s a great learning opportunity. It’s important to cultivate the next generation of talent and our sector can only grow with new ideas and fresh approaches.

What are you most excited about in 2023?
We’ve recently opened four offices in Asia Pacific, which are now fully up and running. As such, 2023 will be very exciting as we will have our first full calendar year with a full team in place across the region and a great roster of brands to grow locally, including WildBrain’s very own IPs such as Strawberry Shortcake, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, and Teletubbies. I’m also very much hoping to visit China and Southeast Asia this year, as I haven’t yet had a chance to meet our new Shanghai team.