Pam Blanchard

Managing director, ICA

What has been your business highlight of 2022?

It's more of a personal highlight in my business and that was being asked to take part as a judge at the 2022 Comms National Awards. As a previous (and serial) winner, I was absolutely delighted and honoured to take part and thoroughly enjoyed reading the submissions.

If you were ruler of your own country, what law would you introduce first?

There are so many I would introduce! Most of which may cause outrage to the readers. So I'll try not to be too controversial and say my first choice would be that all schools and education providers have to drop non-essential subjects (of which there are many) and teach young people between the ages of 11-18 important independent life skills that include but are not limited to: how to change a tyre, a bulb, a plug, a fuse, a filter etc, and introducing finance management and budgeting. And British Sign Language would be mandatory.

Which channel or tech leader (outside of your own company) has impressed you most in 2022?

Zane Long, senior vice president partner sales at Ring Central.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

"If you don't want to hear the truth, don't ask me."

What was your first job?

My first job was at Chelsea Girl (now River Island). I was only 15 and had to lie and say I was 16. I was able to avoid HR as I only worked weekends and by the time they caught up with me my National Insurance number had come through.

What was the last book you read, and was it any good?

A good friend of mine in the industry gave me The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. It was an excellent read and teaches us to value time as our most important commodity.

What's the most important lesson you've learned from another business leader or mentor?

I've engaged with three business mentors in the last 18 months and I've learnt that I know much more than I give myself credit for and that actually if I look hard enough, I have the answers myself.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

I would love to play the part of Julia Roberts so I think she should play me, but she may need some convincing.