Marie reflects on her first few weeks in the role and reveals what she’s looking forward to most about her new challenge, in the following blog.
Earlier this month, Marie Hatton joined us as EA/Office Manager to our CEO, and she has quickly become an integral part of the Sciontec team.
Reflecting on her first few weeks in the role, Marie shares her experiences working within the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district and reveals what she’s looking forward to most about her new challenge, in the following blog.
Tell us about your career journey to date
My background has been working to Board level within Local Government, NHS Hospital Trusts, Higher Education Institutes and more recently at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. I enjoy using my exemplary organisation and communication skills to ensure my Directors have the greatest gift of time, thus allowing them to focus on their strategic priorities and meet their organisations’ vision.
Why did you make the move over to Sciontec?
I have been lucky to work across KQ Liverpool for the past eight years, at the Royal Liverpool NHS Hospital Trust, the University of Liverpool, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, which has enabled me to see how the healthcare, academic, education and research sectors can work together.
I am now keen to expand this further and am interested in how the business and property development sectors also fit into this innovative ecosystem. It’s fantastic seeing how connections with stakeholders can bring capital and investment into the City, and witnessing architects designing plans for our new Lab developments at the very early stages, which again will contribute to the growth of the local area.
How is it going so far?
Colin and his team have warmly welcomed me into the fold, so much so that my first week went smoothly and I feel like I have always worked here.
Building and maintaining contacts, with both internal and external stakeholders, is a major part of my role. I have enjoyed meeting the Sciontec / KQ Liverpool teams and finding out more about their roles and how I can work with them to improve connections/comms. It is still early days, but I have also been putting faces to names starting with our Boards, and also other EAs across the City, LCR CA, and our University partners.
What’s next on your to-do list?
I have a number of event and accommodation requests to secure at local venues for both internal and external stakeholder meetings, including at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village.
Looking further ahead, I will be organising future Board Meetings to ensure the ongoing flow of discussion and good governance, as well as providing support to the CEO and wider team regarding their own communication, health and wellbeing.
What do you love about working in Liverpool?
My favourite thing about working in Liverpool has always been the people. I am a local girl and have lived in Liverpool City Region all my life, and I love the feeling of coming home when returning from any destination.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I love dancing, particularly Salsa and Bachata, and I teach a fitness class each Tuesday evening. I also enjoy walking the fells and am completing the 214 Wainwrights (with 137 English peaks already ‘bagged’).
In 2019, I qualified as a Registered Yoga Teacher and have been offering classes within the workplace and also to my private yogis online ever since. I currently live in Ainsdale, Southport, and have two Shih Tzus called Buster and Honey!
