In our latest Employee Spotlight, Lally Wilks shares what first drew her to the comms industry, the campaigns she’s most proud of, the challenges that shaped her career, and the workplace buzzword she’d gladly ban forever. From bar shifts to boardrooms, it’s a brilliant look at the passion, resilience and humour that make her such a driving force at Grayling Scotland.

Can you tell us a bit about your role and what a typical day looks like in the Scotland office?

My role is multifaceted and includes responsibilities such as being part of the SMT in Scotland, client servicing and overseeing the smooth running of accounts and teams, driving network and Scotland based objectives and supporting the progress and development of my direct reports. New Business, prospecting and contributing to our growth targets are central to my role. It certainly keeps me on my toes and I love it!

What first drew you to the communications industry, and how did your career path lead you to Grayling?

I left University of Glasgow with an honours degree in history of art and no real idea of what I wanted to do. So like many other graduates, I got a job a bar and spent six months curating my CV, considering my options and matching them up to the skills I had. Having landed on PR, (which sounded like a lot of fun) I took to the yellow pages (google it if you don’t know what that is 😊) and wrote to several PR agencies looking for work experience. I secured a week with Citigate SMARTS, which turned into three, which turned into a permanent role – and the rest is history.

Having worked for several agencies during my career, I had long held Grayling in high esteem. In 2018, I left my job to set up my own business – something I had thought about for a while. On the day I was due to hit ‘go live’ on my website, I took a call from a recruitment agency about a role at Grayling to head up its newly launched Glasgow office. Following multiple interviews, I got the job and six years later, I still see this as the role I’ve waited for.

What piece of work or project are you most proud of in your time at Grayling so far?

There are too many but if I had to pick a few, they would be: Birmingham 2022, multiple First Bus campaigns, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Scottish First Aid Awards and the launch of Duck & Waffle in Edinburgh

What’s been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Dealing with outdated attitudes, sexism and blatant misogyny. It’s hard when you’re trying to build a reputation for yourself and progress in an industry and job you’re passionate about (and good at!) to have challenges out of your control thrown into the mix. Overcoming it was hard, especially during a time when men in positions of authority had their behaviours swept under the carpet or worse, openly accepted. It instilled a steely determination in me to not allow their prejudices to hold me back. Thankfully times have changed but I doubt I’ll forget those experiences.

What’s something that has surprised you (professionally or personally) so far this year?

Repeatedly, how much I love working with the people at Grayling, both in my immediate team and those across the network. They are a fabulous bunch of talented individuals, who when they come together, are a force to be reckoned with.

How do you see the communications landscape evolving in Scotland, and what excites you about where it’s headed?

Like the rest of the UK, the communications landscape in Scotland is undergoing significant change, shaped by digital transformation, shifting audience expectations and a growing demand for authenticity and transparency.

One of the most exciting developments is the increasing role of purpose-driven storytelling. Audiences — particularly younger generations — are looking to connect with brands and organisations that align with their values. This creates an opportunity for us to create campaigns that demonstrate greater integrity and build trust in more meaningful ways with those we want to reach.

What excites me is the continued innovation and a collaborative spirit that’s turning challenges into creative opportunities. With emerging tech like AI and immersive media now part of the toolkit, the future feels full of potential to tell richer, more inclusive stories that resonate locally and globally.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership roles in this industry?

Back yourself. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about being curious, resilient and staying true to your values and who you are. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, and don’t wait for permission to lead. Our industry needs more diverse voices at the top, so make your perspective, your power.”

What’s a fun fact about you that most people at Grayling wouldn’t know?

I’m an over sharer so probably not much. I got thrown out of ballet class as a child for stamping on an imaginary sandcastle…

What’s one professional habit or tool you swear by?

A can of Diet Coke a day – but not until after 12pm!

If you could ban one workplace buzzword or cliché forever, what would it be?

Let’s touch base!