Sally
Job Title 
Director at Large
Company and location
HELLO! Magazine
London
Industry sector
Publishing (Magazine)
Background
Merton House School , Sussex . Studied French to O-Level. Worked as a legal secretary before moving into publishing and worked my way up the career ladder, eventually becoming a publisher with IPC Magazines. From there I went to Associated Newspapers, and finally to HELLO!, where I became Publishing Director.
Why is Spanish important for your job?
HELLO! Is a fully owned subsidiary of the Spanish magazine HOLA!, and when I started with the company, the Spanish owner and his colleagues spoke no English at all. I convinced them that I could learn the language quickly, as they felt that it was vital for them to have not only a good publisher in place, but also someone with whom they could communicate comfortably.
How do languages come into play?
I speak Spanish every working day, to several different people. Literally, I could not have done my job for the last 17 years without it.
How would you describe your job?
My job now is often what I describe as cultural interpretation, as well as language interpretation! I interpret the English attitudes, views and events to our Spanish head office, and their attitudes and views to our English office. Even now, when more of our Spanish colleagues speak English, many of them still find it more comfortable and convenient to communicate in their own language. Because of the length of time I have been with HELLO!, I am a resource that other employees find useful. I oversee the production of the magazine, as we do not employ a specific Production Director, and I am frequently called upon to represent HELLO! on radio and television. I also play an active role in the franchising of HELLO! to other countries.
What kind of skills and qualities do you need?
My job requires skill with languages – mainly Spanish, of course, but also French, and occasionally a little German and Italian. My job also needs skill and experience in all aspects of the magazine publishing business, in the management of people, and in media skills of presenting to the public.
What about outside work?
I enjoyed learning Spanish; I find it a beautiful language, and one that has been endlessly useful to me in my personal as well as my professional life. When I visited South America , it was easy to communicate with everyone, and holidays in Spain are a delight.
Source:Consejería de Educación