Each week we shine the spotlight on a member of Dorset’s business community and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire. This time…

She gets angry at the wastefulness of humanity, chooses Sir David Attenborough as her childhood hero and car companion and her first action if she was PM for the day would be to invest in local government – “the forgotten public service”.

Georgia Turner, Director of Communications and Marketing, BCP Council, takes the 20 Questions’ hotseat. 

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: Anything to do with natural history or travel.

Q: Who would you like to share a car with?

A: David Attenborough.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: Contributing creatively to organisation level strategy and programmes that ultimately have a positive impact on the 400,000 people who
live in the UK’s newest city-region, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The 10th largest urban area in the country, we’ve just agreed a new strategic plan to achieve 15,000 homes, 13,000 jobs and attract investment to our region, ultimately bringing greater prosperity for all residents. It’s a very exciting time.

Q: And the worst…?

A: Seeing my brilliant team members get abuse on social media. People seem to forget that there are real people behind every social account. Disagree, tell us you’re not happy, but please be kind.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: David Attenborough. Still is.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: The heat of the desert.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Burnbake campsite near Corfe, because it’s where I co-host, pro bono, Comms Unplugged, an amazing annual learning, wellbeing and networking residential event for public and voluntary sector comms professionals, which is not for profit. Our delegates come from as far away as Scotland and we love to show off Dorset’s talent through our speakers and workshop leads, as well as local caterers. We’ve welcomed Rupert Holloway from Conker, and Giles Henschel from Olives et al, as well as creative legend Matt Desmier, and eminent public sector colleagues Matt Prosser from Dorset Council and my own Chief Executive Graham Farrant. So if you fancy running a workshop or development session, get in touch (pro bono, of course).

Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?

A: Follow your heart, do something you truly care about.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: “Now! that’s what I call music” – the first double album. On vinyl. I think they are on 100+ now!

Q: What gets you angry?

A: The wastefulness of humanity. People’s disregard for the planet, its natural resources and the other species we share this earth with.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: Not really. I was lead cello in the Bournemouth Youth Orchestra as a teenager so I appreciate accessible classics, but also routinely go to 80s pop, and anything Queen or Take That.

Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?

A: A genuine desire to do something meaningful and a passion for what they do. Bringing something new to our team. Creativity, initiative and self-motivation.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: I definitely can’t pick. I don’t eat much meat so pretty much any fish, seafood or veggie I will eat and enjoy. And cheese, unless it has fruit in it – that’s just wrong.

Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?

A: Sponge pudding and custard. Yum!

Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?

A: We really have it all don’t we? A thriving urban hub and the education, enterprise and diversity that brings, beaches and the sea, countryside all around us. And of course a new, aspirational council, only formed in 2019, with ambitious plans to ensure our communities and business emerge from covid-19 with confidence and pride.

Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?

A: Invest in local government – it’s the forgotten public service, full of talented, committed, bright and imaginative people. Oddly because it’s so ever-present, people almost don’t notice what we do, despite having a democraric leadership role to improve and shape the place as well as responsibility for over 400 services from urban planning, regeneration, social care, environmental health, highways, to street lighting, parks and open spaces, and school place planning. Oh and potholes and bins of course.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Poor broadband. There is no excuse for it.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: Anywhere I haven’t already been. I’m a perpetual explorer and a walking itinerary.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

A: Seeing as my whole career has been in local government in Dorset, I hope it’s a given that I will still be here. We operate in a state of constant change and evolution which means it is never dull and always rewarding.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Doing the right thing.