What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include?

I was an editorial assistant in the journals department at Oxford University Press and co-ordinated the production of monthly editions.

How much was in your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?

Around £1,000. I bought two velvet jackets.

Describe how your career developed to the present day From the journals production department — where I was the liaison between editors and printers — I moved into a commissioning role, developing new publications for doctors and undergraduate science textbooks for an international audience, with a list turnover of about £1.5m. I then took several years off to have a family, during which time I organised events for a local early years educational charity. These included family theatre shows and a large event under the Oxfordshire 2007 banner, liaising with Oxford Inspires.

Through Oxford Inspires, I linked up with The Story Museum in 2007, which takes story performances and activities to schools and communities and is working to open a new centre of children's literature and storytelling in the heart of Oxford.

I worked on a range of projects including an Arts Council project developing a strategy for children’s literature across the south east, the development of a website including an oral story database, and managed a project funded by the Department of Business Skills and Initiative using storytelling to help adult learners. In 2009 and 2010 I also co-ordinated Oxford’s Alice’s Day, a one-day celebration of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with exhibitions, talks, activities and performances across Oxford’s top venues and had around 10,000 visitors in 2010. In September 2010, I took over the reins of Oxfordshire Artweeks. It is the principal visual arts festival for Oxfordshire, the biggest and oldest open studios event in the country, during which almost 1,000 artist-members open their studios and galleries to the public. The organisation also sets up various special events both during the festival and at other times of the year.

What are the key responsibilities in your position?

As Artweeks director, I organise the annual Oxford Artweeks Festival, generating revenue through membership, sponsorship and advertising, producing the festival guide, liaising with area coordinators, and representing Artweeks to the membership, the media, and other key individuals and organisations. In addition I organise the marketing, public relations and publicity for the festival and manage special events and projects that fall outside the main Artweeks programme.

Describe a typical day I get up around 7am and spend the first couple of hours shuffling three children into a semblance of order, and walking them to school. If I am having an office-based day, I am at my desk for 9am and it is head down until school pick-up time. Most days, though, I have meetings around the county which might be with a venue, a board member, a potential supporter or a designer.

Who/what have been the biggest influences on your career?

The medical books department at OUP was packed with strong, intelligent women whose judgement I respected and whose support I appreciated both then and now. More recently, I would like to acknowledge the wisdom of Oxfordshire’s Cath Nightingale, an arts consultant who was previously marketing director at Oxford Inspires, whose advice and encouragement I value greatly.

What has been your best decision?

The move to Artweeks.

And your worst?

To plan a 50-acre riverside spectacular for the weekend of the 2007 Oxfordshire floods — the whole event site was six feet under water!

What is the best advice you can give to someone starting out in your business?

I would always recommend making the effort to meet people face-to-face early on, trust your heart and maintain your integrity.

What is the secret of good management?

The fostering of good relationships. I think it is important to be clear about responsibilities and expectations from the outset. I believe a collaborative approach encourages new ideas and maintains team spirit and enthusiasm.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

Absolutely. I work three days a week, so I have time to spend with my children.

What hobbies/interests do you enjoy in your spare time?

Dancing, triathlon and musical theatre.

Is there anything in business that really irritates you?

I am irked by bad time management, unrealistic expectations, the inability to delegate and the reluctance to embrace change.

How do you see your company developing over the next five years?

Artweeks is a strong and well-recognised brand. I’d particularly like to build up long-term relationships with sponsors that benefit both parties and to encourage a younger demographic to participate. This is an exciting time — 2012 is the festival’s 30th anniversary.

What has been your most satisfying moment?

I love the moment at the end of an event when it has been a success because of meticulous planning, whether that is in my work sphere or my personal life, and I am looking forward to the end of my first Artweeks festival.

Do you believe there is enough help and support from government and agencies for growing businesses?

Artweeks is a long established organisation so this isn’t something that I have needed to access.

What is your attitude to the environment and do you have any green policies in place?

We run our offices as paperless as possible and also encourage our visitors to travel by foot or public transport.

What is the secret of a happy workforce?

Being appreciated and having freedom to grow.

Is there any other job you would like to have done and why?

I have always dreamt of being a Russian ice star. Their speed, grace and acrobatic talent amaze me.

What would you like to do when you retire?

Travel at a leisurely pace through balmy climates with a good novel and English breakfast teabags in my rucksack.

Name: Esther Browning Age: 37 Job: Executive director, Oxfordshire Artweeks Time in job: Four months

Contact: esther@artweeks.org Web: www.artweeks.org