“Don’t worry that you haven’t got it figured out yet, you will panic when plans veer off course but trust that you will end up where you are meant to be. Journeys are never straight roads, but your compass within will guide you.”

Name: Louise Rogers

When at HHS: 1993-1999

Current Role: Regional Creative Manager, Bauer Media.

What are your memories of HHS?

It was at Heathfield that I finally started to discover who I was and my potential, I came into my own during this time. I embraced school life and have life enriching memories. I took an active role in the School Council from Year 7 right through to Sixth Form. In my role as Council Chair I helped to host school events and welcome parents/carers to school occasions, I showed new students around on open evenings, and generally loved feeling like I was part of the fabric of the school.

But it was my English Literature teachers who were most influential in nurturing my love of words and Creative writing. Mr Dewings and Mr Gilbert believed in my ability and through their praise and encouragement I was able to share my poetry and writing. A poem of mine was once included in an School Poetry anthology and another piece was read aloud for the year group. These all served as positive affirmations that my life would involve Creative writing in some way.

I studied English Lit, History, RE, Art, French amongst my GCSEs and at A level I studied Psychology, Biology, English Literature and General Studies. I very much wanted to be a teacher at this stage in my life, I had done my Work Experience placement in a local primary school and this was very much where my University Applications were going to take me.

What did you learn at HHS that still helps you today in your current role?

My time served in the Council gave me good grounding in public speaking and presenting to an audience, which I still use to this day. A passion and appreciation for words and their power was certainly instilled by my teachers and the literary techniques for persuasive writing are ones I use daily in creating my advertising campaigns.

Route after HHS: 

I secured a place at MMU after leaving HHS. After a year of studying a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) with Science specialism I changed courses to study a Joint Honours in English Literature and Life Science, where I achieved a 1st Class BA Hons degree. 

I realised after my first year at university that I wasn’t ready to undertake Primary School teaching as a career, and I went back to where my first love had been with English Literature. I think this shows you can set off down a path that you believe is right for you at the time but it is ok to stop and make a U turn and set off again in a different direction.

What does your current role entail? 

I have been very lucky in that I have been at Signal for all my 20 years. I started as a Junior Copywriter the year I graduated university and have never left. I was promoted to Senior Creative, Creative Manager, Creative Solutions Manager and now, under new Bauer Media ownership, received further promotion to Regional Creative Manager in the West Midlands and East.

Bauer Media own huge audio brands like Kiss, Magic, Absolute, Hits Radio, Greatest Hit Radio, Rock, Kerrang, Scala and Jazz FM in addition to local radio stations like Radio City, Free Radio, and Signal 1 across the UK. As well as a printing and publishing arm with titles like Grazia, Empire, and Heat magazines. Bauer Media Group is one of the world’s largest privately-owned media business with media assets all over the globe.

Essentially my job entails writing advertising campaigns that become the radio commercials you hear on air. My team come up with all the radio jingles and catchy ads you know and love, or hate!

What are your career aspirations/ plans for the future?

Being a female Creative Manager, I am very much hoping to inspire and encourage women into the Creative Industries and for them also to progress in to senior and management positions. I very much enjoy coaching and mentoring members of my Creative team and wish to be able to share my love of radio with others. I want to be a role model to my two daughters and continue to enjoy this unique and amazing career.

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

Don’t worry that you haven’t got it figured out yet, you will panic when plans veer off course but trust that you will end up where you are meant to be. Journeys are never straight roads, but your compass within will guide you.