Mary Ann Griffiths

Mary Ann Griffiths

I joined SBAC in January 2005, when the new communications team was being formed. I had worked in a public relations/media liaison role within the defence and civil aviation industries since 1990, based in UK, Scandinavia and the Middle East. Prior to that I worked in private sector sales and marketing and public sector administration.

At SBAC, my prime focus is to raise the UK aerospace industry's public profile, both at home and around the world. I do this through the writing and issuing of press releases, articles, media presentations and press conferences. I talk to journalists on a regular basis and ensure that SBAC is the media's point of reference for comment on aerospace industry stories that hit the headlines. I also help our members write and issue their press releases and try to get them as much media coverage as possible, particularly during exhibitions and airshows. I really enjoy writing and the challenge of getting stories published in the media; when we get press coverage I am very happy!

Additionally, I look after the design and production of all SBAC's publications and ensure integrity of the SBAC brand. When I joined SBAC we decided to revamp the look of all our publications and we came up with a bright, modern and professional style, which we now use on everything we print, from conference invitations to annual reports. I think the whole design is very slick and it was good fun to develop and implement.

I also assist my colleagues on the communications team in their parliamentary activities and I find this is a great opportunity for me to learn how the lobbying system works, something I have never had the chance to become involved with before. The thing I enjoy most about working for SBAC is the freedom I am given to produce the results on which I am judged. However, because the team has such a wide range of experience, the support and advice is there whenever I come up against a problem and need help. I also like working with a bright, fresh team of people full of ideas, not to mention our modern, well appointed offices in central London.