Six questions in 60 seconds… Sian Pattenden

This month we speak to digital marketing expert, Sian Pattenden.

Sian has nearly 20 years’ experience in both traditional and digital marketing, and heads up the firm’s Digital Marketing team.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you in your career?

Keep things simple. This straightforward piece of advice was given to me by a colleague, when I was fresh-faced in my first marketing role. Somehow, subconsciously it has become a phrase that guides me in most of my decision making and planning at work. It is a great way to de-stress challenges, distill complex communications and deal with a busy schedule. It reminds me of the phrase ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’ – finding a way of focussing on what is truly important not only helps me to be a better marketer but is a good philosophy in life too.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently stepping outside of my usual daily workload to focus on marketing strategies and activity plans to support the firm’s vision over the next year.

As a multi-disciplined law firm we have many teams, each with their own goals and challenges. Part of my role is to plan how the digital marketing team’s resource is used to best effect to support these teams and the firm as a whole.

I really enjoy taking the time to step back and look strategically at what the firm is trying to achieve and how our team can help achieve this. We have some ambitious ideas for the year ahead and it’s exciting!

Can you remember the first thing you bought with your own money?

I started a paper round when I was 12 and my mum told me that now I was earning money I could buy my dad a birthday present myself. I remember buying him some luminous orange golf balls and box of Black Magic chocolates!

What is the one thing you could not live without?

I am going to have to say my twin boys. They are definitely good for the soul and balance out any stress I am feeling. One has amazing empathy and gives the best hugs, the other has a wicked sense of humour.

Which three traits define you?

If I had to pick three things, I would say that I am kind, calm, and analytical.

Can you tell us your favourite thing about working at Brachers?

That has to be the people. When I joined in 2019, it struck me how welcoming, supportive and friendly everyone was across the firm, but in particular I love our Marketing team. We are friends as well as colleagues and everyone is so passionate about their individual roles and specialisms. We are an experienced team and are given the freedom to be creative with our ideas, which makes for a really positive working environment.

I was so pleased that the team were shortlisted for a Law Society Excellence Award in the ‘Excellence in Marketing and Communications’ category last year, which recognised our quick reactions and resilience during the pandemic. It was a really great boost in a difficult year.

This content is correct at time of publication