Claire Baigent, public relations manager at Axa Health, speaks to Health & Protection about experiencing challenging times working in an NHS hospital during the pandemic, loving the variety of her work in her current role and why Dolly Parton is her role model.
How did you get your start in the sector?
I studied politics at university, but fairly quickly realised that was not the field I wanted a career in.
I’ve always loved writing and when I was younger had wanted to be a journalist.
But I was working for Kent Police after my degree and the opportunity to work in the press office came up. I applied and was fortunate that the team decided to take a chance on me. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I’ve now been working in PR and communications for around 15 years.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I love the people I work with. There is a wonderful culture at Axa and from day one, everyone has been friendly and supportive.
I also enjoy the wide variety of work I’m involved in and having the opportunity to share exciting news about new initiatives and propositions which really make a difference to people, such as our neurodiversity benefit and access to urgent care centres.
Who is your role model – in life or in work?
This might be a bit of a strange one – but I’ve always admired Dolly Parton. She has always inspired people to dream big and reach for the stars.
Despite her incredibly successful music career, she is very humble and gracious.
But what I respect most of all, is the literacy programme she started in 1995 which provides free books to young children, with well over 100 million donated to date. Plus, she has her own theme park… how cool is that?
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
I’m lucky to have had a few really great bosses throughout my career. And although I wouldn’t necessarily call them mentors, I have learnt a lot from them and they have certainly helped shape me and my career.
One boss really helped to bring back my confidence after a bad experience with a previous employer and I will always be grateful to him for that.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
Working in PR is a great career and the opportunities are virtually endless.
Almost every business needs support with PR and communications so you can really pick an area or field you’re interested in and build your knowledge.
There are times when things can get a bit stressful and you never quite know what you might get asked when the phone rings. But that also keeps it interesting.
What has been your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?
Not a setback as such – but leaving the public sector after 14 years and taking on a very different role was quite a shock to the system. I did have a wobble initially and wondered if I had done the right thing. But I persevered and thanks to my lovely colleagues, soon settled in and started getting to grips with all the new jargon and a different way of working.
Laugh or cry – what did your most memorable client or case make you want to do and why?
During my time with Kent Police I dealt with some very sad cases which have stayed with me throughout my career and I think of the people involved often.
It was also a tough time working in an NHS hospital during the pandemic. But despite those sad and scary times, the sense of camaraderie was like nothing I’ve ever experienced and I was extremely proud to be a little cog supporting the amazing work which was taking place.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
I’m happy with where my career is right now and try not to plan too far ahead, preferring to make a decision on opportunities as they arise. I would like to have an opportunity to travel more and visit and learn from other parts of the business.
How would your boss describe you?
I’m not sure I want to know. I think she’d say I’m friendly, a good colleague and reliable. And I always make her laugh.
What’s your biggest talent away from work?
Knowing everything there is to know about Fortnite despite not having ever played it. I have my son to thank for that.
I’m also pretty good at quizzes as I have reasonable general knowledge and really enjoy them.
What mantra do you live by?
Worrying doesn’t change anything.
What song would you regard as your theme tune?
Why does it always rain on me? by Travis. No, not really – I’m a pretty optimistic person so I would say something like Always look on the bright side of life by Monty Python or Don’t worry, be happy by Bobby McFerrin.
