Simren tells us about her experience as a Marketing Intern within the Gin Hub
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I was born and raised in Dubai before moving to the UK to study Business & Marketing. Before working at Pernod Ricard, I worked at a Marketing agency in Dubai, working on digital & communications projects. It was a great role which helped me understand how my skills and preferences made this a strong career choice for me.
What is your role and how long have you been at Pernod Ricard UK?
I joined The Gin Hub in Pernod Ricard 3 months ago, as a Marketing Executive Intern. My role is in the Market Activation Team, which is responsible for being the point of contact between the global Gin Hub brand teams (e.g. Beefeater, Malfy, Plymouth) and the various market companies we are based in. This means I have the privilege of working on various projects and meeting more Pernod Ricard colleagues in different markets across the world.
What inspired you to apply for this role / Pernod Ricard UK?
I specifically applied for a marketing role in The Gin Hub is because I wanted to experience working for a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods company early in my career so I could see how it compared to the service-based side of Marketing which I saw in an agency. Knowing that my role would be centred around a product meant that I had to choose a product I was deeply interested in, and for me that’s gin!
What is your favourite Pernod Ricard brand, and why?
While the company hosts a significant and varied portfolio of brands, my personal favourite is Beefeater Gin. Before entering the company, my reasons were mostly nostalgic as Beefeater was my parents’ favourite gin. However, after working so closely with the distillery team, my love for the brand has been refreshed as I’ve seen the true heritage and craft that goes behind making every single drop, right in the heart of London. The passion and integrity behind the product and brand are what make Beefeater my favourite.
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
It’s only been 3 months since I started, and I already feel like part of the team. I think the most important thing I’ve learned is how important the company culture is at making employees feel comfortable and able to perform at their best. I’ve only achieved as much as I have in this role because the company has supported me and prioritised my development. This has enabled me to expand my potential and hit targets I didn’t think I could achieve.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
The beauty of my role, and the Market Activation Team, is that every day is very different. Markets have new queries every day and the brand teams are developing new projects all the time. The one constant is that the team prioritises communication, and every week we make a point of checking in with regular calls or 1-2-1’s within the team, to ensure we’re all on the same page and helping each other achieve our shared goals.
What do you find most interesting with the sector you’re in?
Working in the alcohol industry has been an eye-opening experience. The approach to new projects, as well as the team building activities and events have really changed my perspective on what it means to work in the luxury goods sector. I think a lot of that is based on the company’s ‘convivial’ culture, which is at the heart of all the events organised and creates a warm welcome to those new to the company and industry.
What is the culture like?
From Day 1 the company has ensured a wide variety of social events and beyond work activities to help employees bond as part of a wider team. Developing that level of comfort with other colleagues makes it easier for people to reach out across teams for help or to share new ideas, which creates a more productive and creative atmosphere in the company.
Have you had the opportunity to get involved in any activities outside work?
Pernod Ricard has a wide variety of social activities. For me personally, there are 2 sides to my role: the office-based side and the distillery-based side. While I’m at the office, there are events such as ‘Convivial Thursdays’ or ‘Mystery Coffee’ which enable you to get to know more people in the company that may be outside your team or business unit. At the distillery, we are always hosting new open-day or trade events which give me the opportunity to meet people across the wider alcohol industry, especially from key bars or restaurants around London.
How important is diversity to you and what is Pernod Ricard UK doing in this space at the moment?
As an international student, diversity is a very significant value to me. It has always been a driving force behind where I choose to study and work. Pernod Ricard has shown a high level of commitment through its structured Global Diversity & Inclusion Framework. It is designed around 4 pillars, which are:
- Equitable talent processes
- Convivial culture
- Innovation & growth
- Enhanced reputation.
I have observed this on a personal level, working in a team where almost every member has a different nationality to the next. It’s great to be able to share the experience of moving to London and learning the city’s ways for the first time with others in the team.
How did you find the application process?
I applied for this role online through Bright Network and my experience was very informative and straightforward. Bright Network presents their job description in a clear, structured way so members can easily access all the information they would need to know before applying for a role. Furthermore, the team shared frequent updates with me on the status of my application and promptly reached out to me after the interview as well, which was a refreshing change from the typical job application process.
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Pernod Ricard UK?
I would say do your research on the company, but specifically, figure out which sector/team would be a good fit for you. It’s a large company and there are a lot of opportunities, it’s important to know where your talents and interests lie and then pursue that role with confidence.