Gillian Nuttall (PR & Marketing Manager)

“Nipping out for a loaf” will probably become one of the phrases remembered in connection with the 2010 election.    Poor Gillian, had she known the furore that was about to occur, I’m sure she would have carried on to the shops, grabbed her loaf and made her way home.  

Only last week I was accosted in St Anne’s Square here in Manchester and asked if I would speak to some reporters.   Never one to be shy at coming forward, I agreed and started to perform for the cameras.  I think they got more than they bargained for, as I basically gave my very own,  word perfect, Party Political Broadcast!   After I had finished they asked me what I did for a living and the penny dropped when I explained I was head of PR & Marketing at Ralli.    I realise that they really wanted the genuine “man on the street”  but they just happened upon me! 

I wonder if Gordon Brown’s aides should have been a little more media savvy in their plans and arranged to interview someone who they were sure would say the right things.   I guess in the scheme of things, he wanted to come across as a genuine leader and in doing what he did he appeared to be so, until he got into his car and then of course we all know what happened.

So what of poor Gillian Duffy then?    If I were her I’d have already spoken to lawyers, because I believe she has a good claim for defamation.   My letter of claim to Gordon would be in the post!!   Having spoken with David Potts, Partner at Ralli, David has said that she has a potential claim for defamation, having been referred to as a bigoted woman to the public at large.

Will Gillian Duffy do this?  Who knows.  Would Gordon Brown defend the claim?  I doubt it!    I’m sure his advisors would recommend he settle immediately, at least that would get Gillian back onside!

Gillian Nuttall (PR & Marketing Manager)

Ralli’s resident Auntie Gill comments:-

Gordon Brown has today announced that firms that snub women will be named and shamed.   What is that all about?   Do such places really exist? The PM says it is “completely unacceptable” that many top firms still don’t have women in senior positions.  Absolutely right Gordon!   You’re spot on there!   He obviously has never been to our offices – here at Ralli I think it is safe to say that the women far outnumber the men! 

I have spent the last 20 or so years of my life working for law firms.  

I recall  going for the interview at the first law firm I ever worked at – my youngest child was only a year old and I had applied for a part time secretarial position – I needed hours that would fit in with 2 young children and I started working in the evening.  As my husband came home, I would go out of the door – seamless!    My eldest child is now 24 and the other day we were talking about when I started work again.  She genuinely did not remember me going out to work in the evening.   As the children grew up I gradually worked longer hours and started working in more senior positions.  

I joined Ralli in 1995 as an assistant in the business litigation department.   Apart from a year or so when I left and came back (I left, had a couple of other jobs but never really settled down until I came back here!)    I worked in various departments until in 2003 there was an opportunity for me to apply to become the head of PR & Marketing.   I was actively encouraged by the partners at Ralli and was successful.  

So, the story here at least, is that we do have a lot of women here, many of which are in senior positions, we have several women partners and associates and certainly, being a woman at Ralli is not about to hold anyone back!