8th March 2020

International Women’s Day began on 8th March 1911 to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and across the world. Fast forward 109 years and it is now more widely celebrated than ever in all different cultures. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is a gender equal world with the hashtag #EachforEqual.

Every day of the year we celebrate the strong people within our team, and on International Women’s Day it’s no different.

We caught up with Jenny Nolan, Marketing Manager at Spinnaker Tower, this International Women’s Day to find out a bit more about her role. Jenny has worked in the tourism sector since leaving university and has been the Marketing Manager for over nine years at the Tower. She is passionate about creating meaningful memories for guests and promoting the destination of Portsmouth as a vibrant and exciting place to visit.

ST: What do you love about what you do?

Jenny: The best thing about my job is that I’m doing it for a purpose, I’m doing it so that people can have a good time, and I can see the end result of people enjoying the experience. I’m marketing a good time and seeing the positive response.

ST: What’s the most extraordinary thing you have done? (at work or in personal life)

Jenny: Definitely having and raising my children. Watching them grow and learn in response to how we have chosen to raise them is an amazing experience and really makes you re-evaluate everything you do and say!

ST: Which females, past or present, inspire you?

Jenny: I’m inspired by my peers, other working mums that I’m surrounded by; mums that have set up successful businesses whilst being on maternity leave; mums taking on amazing charity challenges like cycling across different countries all while juggling careers and parenthood. For me that is more inspiring than a celebrity.

ST: How do you challenge stereotypes?

Jenny: I guess being equal with my husband; we’re both working parents sharing the responsibility.

ST: What advice would you give to your younger self or a younger colleague?

Jenny: Do what you love. If you can make a career out of doing something you love then you’ll never struggle to get up in the morning.

ST: What’s your favourite view from the Tower and why?

Jenny: Looking out across the water from the Tower at night time, it’s just beautiful when the lights are sparkling on the water.

ST: What mark have you left on the Tower?

Jenny: All of the marketing material from the last 9 years at the Tower, from creation to physically being in some of them! Also being involved in developing the guest experience, from the implementation of the i-View screens to the creation of the pre-show; both experiences that add extra value and an extra dimension for our guests.

ST: Where do you see Portsmouth going in the next five years?

Jenny: I think Portsmouth has got a really bright, exciting five years ahead. There’s so much going on across the city and the collaborative spirit between all the partners is making the city get the attention it deserves and challenging previous perceptions.

ST: What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve had to do at work?

Jenny: Working at the Tower I’ve done a lot of weird and wonderful things, but I think coming in to work in my wedding dress at 7am to do a photoshoot to promote the weddings has got to be up there! I also did The Drop, one of our adrenaline challenges which was absolutely terrifying! It was a controlled jump from a 25 metre platform in a harness. When I worked at Legoland I also got involved in lots of wonderful things; dressing up as a pirate and fighting against the British fencing team was certainly memorable!

This year, we will be shining a spotlight on the different members within our team, continuing with the theme #EachforEqual.

If you would like to join our team, click here to see current vacancies.