Leadership Lens: Anisa Missaghi
In 2024, before joining forces with Taylor Bennett to create Taylor Birchwood, Birchwood Knight celebrated its 15th birthday. To mark the occasion, Wayne Reynolds conducted interviews with a wide range of highly accomplished corporate affairs leaders about their experience and views of the function. This interview is with Anisa Missaghi who leads corporate affairs and sustainability at pladis Global.
Bio
Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, pladis Global (current)
Global Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, pladis Global (2019 to 2021)
Head of External Communications, pladis Global (2017 to 2019)
Corporate Communications, Regional Lead, UK and Ireland, pladis Global (2016 to 2017)
Corporate Communications Manager, pladis Global (2014 to 2016)
Group Digital Manager, Balfour Beatty Plc (2012 to 2014)
Global Corporate Communications Manager, CEVA Logistics (2009 to 2012)
What advice would you give to yourself 15 years ago?
“Chase experiences not titles”. A CEO gave me this advice a number of years ago. It’s something I was lucky to be told early on in my career and advice I live by.
How has corporate affairs changed over the last 15 years, and what do you expect next?
Two key things come to mind, when I started my career in communications digital was a nice to have and seen as an add on. Now it’s just a way of working. We need to continue to adapt to technology advancements, including AI, and think about how we use it responsibly. Sustainability is the second point; in many companies it has also become embedded into corporate affairs as it is a reputation driver – I see this as an opportunity as we have more scope to learn and embed technical skill sets into a traditional corporate affairs team.
What three skills does a modern-day corporate affairs director need? And if you could pick only one, which would it be and why?
Curiosity and the ability to ask the right questions at the right time is important. Also being able to play your role as a ‘critical friend’ to the Board or CEO and being decisive. Cutting through the noise and making a decision even when you’re not 100% sure is key. If I had to choose one curiosity would be my number one skill.
What do you love about the job?
You can make it what you want it to be.
If you didn’t work in corporate affairs, what would you do instead?
Children’s TV presenter. It’s always been my dream. There’s still time!
What was the last book you read?
I read Michelle Obama’s first biography ‘Becoming’ for the second time recently. It was after seeing her speak in Chicago earlier this year. Her dignity, wisdom and passionate belief to create a better world inspires me.
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Nothing high-brow… most probably Friends. Ross was always my favourite character. I love how he delivered his one-liners.
What do you enjoy doing away from the office?
Travelling and experiencing new cultures. I’m also a new mum so spending time with my children, Isla and Rumi, gives me energy. I love seeing the world from their eyes.
If you enjoyed this you may also like Wayne’s interviews with:
Carolyn Esser, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Darktrace
Greg Dawson, Group Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at DS Smith
Paul Matthews, Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Unilever
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30th October 2024