The Humans of Hancock and Rowe: Sophie
The Humans of Hancock and Rowe is a series of interviews that introduces you to who we are and the people we work alongside. From our team to our clients, we’ll be sharing the stories of those who our agency help, support and collaborate with.
Introducing Sophie, art-loving mum, Project Manager and the newest addition to the Hancock & Rowe team.
Where do you come from?
I grew up in Kent, not far at all from where Hancock & Rowe are based.
Throughout school I was always very into art, and many a birthday present during my childhood was some kind of art/craft supply. Although I didn’t go down that route in adulthood, I love to go to craft fairs or open studios, filling our walls with art and cupboards with hand-made pottery, so it’s still very much a passion!
I went on to the University of Birmingham to study Media, Culture and Society. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but was very sure I wanted to experience university life! Fully throwing myself into university life, I made the most of Birmingham’s eclectic nightlife offering, and balanced that with living in the library day-and-night leading up to deadlines!
Where are you now?
I’m now mum to two little boys, so life has changed a bit and is now mainly focused around home and them! My youngest is now two, and I started to feel the desire to find a role in the world other than ‘Mum’, which is where Hancock & Rowe came in!
I wanted to work in the creative industry again if possible, using the skills and experience that I’ve gained over the years, so feel very lucky that I’ve been able to find a job that works for me and for my family.
Aside from mum-life, I’m really into Formula 1... I love the high-speed excitement and everything that goes on behind the scenes – particularly with the honey badger himself, Daniel Ricciardo!
Any other spare time I have, I like to bake yummy treats for those around me, try to get myself into shape playing badminton or at the gym, or, best of all... getting stuck into a really good book.
How did you travel between the two?
After uni I moved back to Kent exploring a few roles at one particular company, eventually settling in Marketing. From there I went agency-side, working for a few agencies in and around London, making my way from Account Exec to Senior Account Manager.
During this time I moved in with my (now) husband a little nearer to London in Chislehurst where we enjoyed our time exploring local restaurants and making use of our Greenwich Picturehouse membership!
When we decided to have kids we moved further out and nearer our families, which has enabled a great lifestyle for us and for our boys, living near all of their grandparents!
What are your hopes for the future and the digital world?
Working remotely hasn’t always been a possibility - working parents often have to choose which they sacrifice - a fulfilling career they love, or spending time with their children and families.
Although it’s very possible now for many people to work remotely, so many companies are not embracing this change. It would be amazing if the ongoing advancements in digital working meant remote working could become widely accepted as the norm, where suitable/possible.
Hopefully in the future, fewer parents will have to make a choice between having a career and being there for school pickups, plays and parents evenings. I think businesses embracing a more digital way of working is key to a more balanced life for families.
What do you find most enjoyable about working with Hancock and Rowe?
Coming back to work after having kids, it felt like an impossible task to find something that I would find rewarding, but would also work around family commitments. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Hancock & Rowe, who are truly passionate about flexible working and are such genuine, lovely people.
I’ve been following Anna Whitehouse (aka Mother Pukka) for a while, who has made some great progress campaigning for flexible working for all, so I feel very lucky to find a company advocating for the same beliefs, and in the creative industry, on my doorstep!
Katie and Jase are inspirational in their approach to flexible working, treating the team as partners rather than employees, allowing everyone the flexibility for true work-life balance. This approach is so refreshing, and no doubt inspires passionate dedication in return.
