Clothier Lacey & Co has been a proudly female-founded business for over 25 years – what does that legacy mean to you and how does it shape the company today?
Hopefully my daughters, Zoe and Sophie, may take over the business at some stage. They’ve both been steeped in the world of marketing and PR since they were quite young. Whilst I have some highly talented, fabulous people in the business, attracting fresh, new talent is the life blood of any successful business.
International Women’s Day is all about celebrating progress and empowerment – what advice would you give to women looking to build a successful business of their own?
Don’t start a business unless you are totally committed. It is extremely hard work. Bloody mindedness, determination, competitiveness and the ability to work long after everyone else is fast asleep: these are all useful qualities. It often does not feel very empowering though – exhausting more like – definitely not for the faint-hearted.
The company has gone from strength to strength, what’s been the key to sustaining growth and evolving in such a fast-paced industry?
It is important to be constantly morphing into the next big thing – standing still is not an option. Zoe, a geek at heart, has far more of a technology bent than me and sees the future as being very much AI-shaped.
Clothier Lacey & Co has built a reputation for excellence in PR & marketing. What would you say sets the business apart from the competition?
A passion for excellence, our network of contacts, our reputation, our no-nonsense approach, our experience and
we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We hugely enjoy our work and hope our clients enjoy the experience too!
Tell us why it’s important to have a professional team for PR & Marketing…
In-house teams are an asset and have their place but can become inward-looking with only one ‘client’. We bring a fresh, wellinformed and objective perspective because of our daily engagement with different companies in various sectors.
Working together as mother and daughter must bring a unique perspective to leadership, how do you balance family and business while driving the company forward?
We often drive each other mad but we’re both dedicated to the success of the business. Zoe is currently studying for a Post Graduate Strategic Leadership Apprenticeship whereas, I am self-taught. I often shock her by what I say. Work:Life balance wasn’t even a thing when my girls were young – nor was political correctness.
How do your different strengths complement each other, what have you learned from each other along the way?
I take things personally, especially if we lose a client, which is rare. But it still upsets me. Zoe says – ‘it’s just business; don’t take it personally’. She says I’m a pessimist, I say, I’m a realist. She is always optimistic.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Clothier Lacey & Co? Are there any exciting projects/new services on the horizon?
Our focus is AI-driven, enhancing inhouse processes and client services. We’re upskilling our team and implementing automation to boost efficiency. With our new AI Search service replacing traditional SEO, we’re ahead of the game. Stay competitive get in touch to future-proof your digital strategy!
Who’s more likely to be first to attend a meeting, and who’s more likely to forget their coffee?
I’m often called ‘the late Philippa Clothier’ and alas, Zoe is a conscientious understudy. On the other hand, Sophie, my other daughter, is ALWAYS early and we drive her nuts. Neither of us would ever forget our coffees though.
Describe each other in three words.
Philippa on Zoe:
Knowledgeable, Dependable and Neophilic (look it up!).
Zoe on Philippa:
Relentless, Aggravating and Incredible.
Which song is top of your playlist right now?
I Follow Rivers – Lykke Li. It’s an oldie but goody!
Top book recommendation?
I have three books waiting to be read:
Boris Johnson – Unleashed
Rory Stewart – Politics on the Edge
James O’Brien – How they broke Britain
I will tell you if they’re worth reading once I’ve read them.
Which TV show has you hooked right now?
The new series of Unforgotten – I love a good crime drama.
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