Gem Spotlight - Natalie Jones at The Perfect Events Group
Natalie Jones was placed at The Perfect Events Group by Gembridge almost exactly three years ago in the Corporate Partnerships Manager role. Today she is the Partnerships and New Business Manager, and loving every minute. Read on to learn more about Natalie and her love of animals, reality TV and making a positive difference in the world.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Natalie Jones is the Partnerships and New Business Manager at The Perfect Events Group
Originally from Harrogate – North Yorkshire, I have been in Australia and NZ for 13 years. Holding on for dear life to my Yorkshire accent, but my family say I sound like an Aussie – I don’t agree! Married to Steve for 24 years and we have a Jack Russell Sidney – who if you are ever on a Teams/Zoom meeting with me – you will hear him because he rules the household and Sid comes first! My career has been a long one…. Over 25 years in corporate and NFP sales and relationship management, but the last 3 have been the most rewarding that’s for sure!
What are you passionate about?
Always been passionate about animals so I am passionate about working towards my retirement dream of having an animal sanctuary where all the oldies and unwanted have a nice retirement with me – free of fear and hardship.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Free time isn't free when you have a Jack Russell so keeping him occupied is usually what I am up to but I love to cook and reeeelax with something really awful on HAYU.
Where is your favourite or dream holiday destination?
My favourite holiday was Barbados – it was one of the most hilarious experiences we ever had – Dance Hall dancing in Oistines with the locals (and a fair bit of local rum) – would love to go back!
What is your favourite movie, TV show or book?
Anyone who knows me knows I usually watch the most awful reality TV is usually on my watch list – HAYU is my streaming heaven – so all the Housewives franchises or Selling Sunset. Fav movies are Devil Wears Prada and Love Actually – timeless.
If you could invite 3 guests to dinner, who would they be?
Princess Diana, Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) & my Dad (he passed away a long time ago).
What did you dream of being when you were a child?
Just wanted to be with horses and dogs – didn’t really have a job in mind just always wanted to be with animals.
What was your very first job?
I worked in a bakery! Hated it but stuck it out till I was old enough to work in the village pub in the kitchen!
What’s the best thing about your current role?
Making a difference and a positive Impact! Our clients come to us to help them in some way to make a difference for their organisation. The events we do invariably are for helping with fundraising, brand awareness, corporate sponsorship, development or a celebration. So being part of this is not only utilising all my vast experience, but I am also doing good things with amazing people for our amazing communities.
Corporate Partnership roles can be hard. How do you stay focused, motivated, and driven?
Its not hard to be motivated when you have such amazing opportunities to learn every day to be a better human. Our CEO, Liliana, is an inspirational leader. She is striving every day to make more impacts – so working with her you get the energy and passion and desire to do more! Our clients are a huge motivation because they are relying on us to do our best… so I love my job, I love my team and I love everything we do to be better!!
What motivated you to move into or start in the “for purpose” sector?
I will never forget the day – when that lightbulb goes on and you realise – wow I can make a difference! I was in NZ and had been made redundant from my corporate sales job – and a role with a small charity to help them with corporate sponsorship development came up. The day I joined and saw what the outcome of me doing my job that day would have on a young person’s life - that was incredible – and I haven’t looked back since.
What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight?
All the work I have been involved with whilst at The Perfect Events Group has been incredible. Each one has a significant purpose and the work we have done has made a huge difference to people's lives, so I am very lucky.
What is the best career advice you’ve received or that you give to others?
I have a couple and I use them nearly every day:
JFDI – Just flipping do it
Done is better than Perfect
Progress over Perfection
What is another profession that you think would be cool to work in, but probably never would?
In the old days, I would have loved to have worked for gossip mags – I love to know what goes on in the murky world of celebrities and Royals. When I was in the UK, The News of the World was the biggest scandal newspaper (yes, not known for integrity) so having the inside goss would have been ace! But now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else until I get my farm and animals no one wants.
Natalie (right) is shown here alongside Anthony, the Blue Wiggle (left), on the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Natalie! We’ll come visit your farm someday.