Meet the Committee – Linda O’Neil

Age: 65
Location: Dordogne 


What are your interests? What sets your heart on fire?  
I’ve always loved motorsport and followed my father and brother into the Lancashire & Cheshire Car Club, eventually becoming its chairman.  I took part in some forms of motorsport (autotesting, trialling, rallying) and acted as a marshal in all forms of it; I especially enjoyed being a flag marshal at race meetings (you know: one of the guys in an orange babygrow standing beside the track).  My other interests are more restful: dancing, music and reading.

In 2014 my husband and I decided to move to France and we’re thoroughly enjoying our new life here.  I love meeting new people, improving my French and learning about cooking, plants and gardening from my French friends and neighbours.

How did you get into PR?
I’m not a PR professional but my introduction to PR as a job was when I became administrator to the CIPR North West group, almost 20 years ago.  I’ve learned a lot about the profession from all the committee members I’ve worked with over the years.

What do you love most about PR? 
What intrigues me most is crisis communications and remembering to think about the impact of a product or event on the consumer or those impacted.  When communicating with the wider world about something, it’s important to remember that it’s not all about you! 

If you weren’t in PR, what could you see yourself doing? 
When I left school, I was planning to become a teacher but, for various reasons, going to university was not possible and so I became a secretary and, eventually, a virtual assistant.  If there were no obstacles and I could start all over again, I’d like to study mechanical engineering.

Describe your role in the committee and what it involves?  
I’m the group’s administrator and my role is to take the admin load off the committee members and to support them in their roles, putting on events, etc.  I’m the link between the committee member and the CIPR admin/website systems.

What do you think makes this committee unique?
Difficult to say what’s unique about us but the committee members themselves and their determination to support all our members are very special.

What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out in PR?  
I’d say: work hard, be prepared to learn and don’t think that your opinion is not of value just because of your inexperience – be brave and put forward your ideas.  Even if they are not accepted or won’t work, you’ll learn from the response of your colleagues.

What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day? 
A 15-minute sit-down with a cup of tea, followed by an hour’s gardening (in good weather) or a dance class.