MY Story
Gill's Bay at the top of Scotland - October 2024
Who am I?
Gill Bennet
Allow me to introduce myself properly.
Gill is short for 'Gillian'. I generally go by Gill because growing up in Queensland, Australia people always pronounced my name wrong. Gill was easier for people to say 'Jill' instead of 'Gill'. If you are ever in doubt in how to pronounce my name, think of the great actress Gillian Anderson.
Since 2011 I have travelled to 36 countries and counting, worked for companies such as the BBC and NewsUK delivering some of the biggest projects around the world.
Throughout the entire time, I have worked hard in deliverloping and refining my craft. Building my creative skillset to film, paint and write the stories that I wish to share.
Working worldwide
Career highlights
After 8 years working in Retail in Australia, I have spent the last 14+ years working as a Delivery Manager in IT in London, United Kingdom.
Some of my most significant accomplishments include:
- Delivering 13 new language sites Across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. While managing the current 24 language sites and 7 BBC News Apps.
- The first Digital Olympics for the London 2012 Olympics.
- Volunteered at various key BBC events, including Red Nose Day, Children in Need, Several radio stations for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds festival, Several federal and local elections, Brexit and the Scottish Referendum.
- I revolutionised quarterly planning as a Portfolio Manager across several brands and IT at NewsUK.
- Delivered a new Design System called NewsKit from scratch.
- Several speaking events covering Building self organising teams, leadership and delivery transformation.
- Awarded Project Manager of the Year by Real IT Awards from CTIF.
“Gill impressed Judges with her internal and external work to promote concepts, promote the industry and tech sector as well as her ‘self-start’ attitude to drive things forward.Gill is an advocate for Agile working and puts extra efforts into training teams on better ways of working and coaching team members.”
Creativity at my core
Creating Stories
Throughout my career I have been working hard behind the scenes improving my
- Volunteering at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Radio Station as an presenter and IT Manager for the radio studio.
- Self purblished 2 children's books available on Amazon.
- Leading from the Middle: developed and produced a leadership course on demand and in person. This also included a free e-book providing an introduction explaining how we are all leaders no matter our role.
- Developed and created a Stop motion video called 'Where do we go from here?'
- Launched a writing blog sharing short stories, poems, reflective travel adventures and more.
- Painted several artwork series in different mediums from originals and digital forms.
Right now, you are a leader!
Leading from the middle
Throughout my tech career I have been creating my own space on what I think leadership actually means.
Leading from the Middle is a belief that we are all leaders no matter our role. Every day, you are making an impact, big or small. We find ways to bring people together to collaborate, problem solve or drive change without authority to reach the a common goal.
I have developed a course, written a free introduction e-book, done talks, podcasts and write a blog with what I am learning on this journey to help you unlock the leader within you. Currently I am learning Korean as part of my research for the book I am writing on this topic.
Digital Nomad
World Traveller
In 2011, I decided to move to London after attending a wedding in Boston, USA. I had never been to London before, let alone ever left Australia, but 15 years later, I have travelled to 5 continents and 36 countries.
I spent 14 years living in the London and have been a digital nomad for the last 18 months travelling around Asia. I am currently learning Korean as part of my reasearch on language for my Leading from the Middle Series.
The world is a fascinating place of cultures, languages, and people, each with a unique story. I have learnt so much about the world we live in and about myself. I incorporate what I have experienced and learnt into anything I create.
Sarah Jr Adventures
Travel Buddy
Since I started travelling I have had one consistant companion by my side. Sarah Jr is a childhood toy that has seen just as much as the world as me. With her suitcase packed and camera ready, she has explored the depths of the Pyramids of Giza, sailed around the greek islands and learnt the ways of the Shinobi (Japanese Ninjas).
Today, she has started to write her own blog of her travel adventures and written her first children's book exploring the culture and history of Seoul.
14+ years of adventures
Sarah Junior and I on our first adventure in San Fransisco - 2011
Sarah Junior and I on our latest adventure in the Swiss Alps - 2024
San Fransisco 2011
Swiss Alps 2024
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