About Louise Ahuja
Where do I start? I spent much of my career working my way up at an amazing, international PR agency, going from an assistant to Board Director. PR is mainly protecting or promoting a company’s reputation, and I specialised in advising financial services brands. My biggest achievements were with the Pensions Protection Fund, working on big media stories such as BHS, Tata and Carillion.
Seven years ago, following a divorce, I moved back to Suffolk and took the leap into independent consulting. It was a decision born of necessity, but it has proved transformational, both personally and professionally. It gave me the space to rethink how I wanted to work.
Today, I partner with organisations across financial and professional services, doing so much more than just communications. The reputation of a company has to be considered across every part of a business, and I really value the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to all the companies I work with.
Q&As
Describe yourself in three words?
Fair, inquisitive and honest. A PR person often has to address the ‘elephant in the room’.
What was your first job?
A porter at Lacy Scott in Bury St Edmunds. I was the only female porter at that time, which was pretty eye opening.
What frustrates you?
People who underestimate other people – everyone has their strengths; you just need to find them.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I don’t have that much leisure time, but I am now a dog owner and walking the dog around the amazing Suffolk countryside is a new pleasure.
What is your go-to comfort food?
That depends on the day of the week. For example, on a Sunday it would have to be a full roast, but on Fridays it would be fish and chips.
What temptation can’t you resist?
Pretty much anything! I am very much a ‘yes’ person.
Where are you happiest?
At the seaside on a sunny day. I particularly love Felixstowe.
What is your number one karaoke song?
Teenage Dirtbag. It was pretty much the anthem of any night out in London.
At school, what were you good at?
I was a very unoriginal, straight B student across the board, but I loved history.
What would be your plan B as a career?
There is so much choice! And I think I might still have one more big career change in me; something that helps the next generation.
Which one luxury could you not live without?
Moisturiser – although for me it’s not really a luxury but a necessity!
Which three people, dead or alive, would you invite as dinner guests?
Terry Pratchett, Stephen Fry and Victoria Wood would be a blast.
If you could time travel, where would you go and why?
I would want to go anywhere and everywhere, like Roswell in 1947 or Loch Ness in 1933. I love a good mystery.
How many attempts before you passed your driving test?
I passed first time. I’m a summer baby so I was desperate to drive because so many of my friends had already passed their tests.
