The "How I..." series of fireside chats and panel events brings together successful women in PR to share their unique career journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Our next session will explore an unconventional path: "How I switched from in-house to agency."

While it's common to see women transitioning from agencies to in-house roles, moving in the opposite direction is less frequent. This month's panel will bring together three dynamic industry leaders who have left the perceived stability of in-house positions for the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of agency life.

Why did they make the switch? What lessons did they learn along the way? And what makes agency life worth returning to? Our panel will dive into these questions, shedding light on their motivations, the pivotal moments that shaped their careers, and the unique opportunities they found on the agency side.

The 45-minute panel event will be held on September 18th at 11.15 a.m. and hosted by WiPR Committee member Victoria Biggs. There will be plenty of time for questions from the audience. The event is free for all Women in PR Members. Zoom details will be circulated ahead of the event.

The event is free for all Women in PR Members.

Victoria will be joined by;

Rachel Ford, Director at WA Communications

Having spent eight years in-house at DEFRA and the Ministry of Defence, Rachel moved back into consultancy two years ago, so she knows what it’s like to change careers and make the most of transferable communication skills.

Rosie Bannister, Managing Director & Global Head Growth & Marketing, Axicom

Rosie is as at home in-house as she is in agency. She has spent around half her PR career managing or leading communications teams at tech companies including TomTom and Huawei. Now MD at leading tech shop Axicom, Rosie is well placed to talk about what makes agency life worth returning to after long stints in in-house roles.

Advita Patel, Agency Founder and Director

After 18 years in inhouse roles, Advita took the plunge and set up not just one but numerous agencies, including Global communications consultancy A Leader Like Me and an Internal Communications agency Comms Rebel, which offers a range of communications services from internal comms reviews to change programmes, with a focus on colleague and customer experience. Having never experienced agency life before setting up her own consultancy, Advita can tell us about what inspired her to make the switch.

Whether you're considering a similar shift or just curious about how others have navigated their career paths, this conversation promises to be insightful, inspiring, and packed with actionable advice. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from those who have successfully navigated the less-travelled road!