With 25 years in creative services and a passion for operations, Nicky Perkins joined Clone as Operations Director four months ago, overseeing Clone, Swag Pack and Gaming Mail. Her wealth of experience, from studio work to client services, brings a fresh perspective to the role.
What does an average day look like for you?
Every morning brings something different, which I love about this role. I could discuss our technology infrastructure one minute and then brainstorm HR initiatives the next. Each day involves finance, processes, and team development – there’s always something new to discover. Being fairly new to Clone, I’m still learning about different aspects of the business.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
There’s nothing quite like seeing a good idea take shape. Whether it’s watching our team develop a new client solution or seeing an internal project come together, it’s so satisfying. I particularly enjoy mentoring others and helping them bring their ideas to fruition – I love that collaborative aspect of the role.
What inspires you about branding, print or design?
After 25 years in this industry, you’d think I’d have seen it all, but that’s the beauty of it – there’s always something new on the horizon. The creative sector constantly evolves, bringing fresh perspectives and approaches each day. I still get excited about finding new solutions and exploring different ways of thinking.
What are the most promising trends or innovations that you expect to shape your industry in the future?
AI is changing the landscape, but I see it as a tool to enhance our team’s capabilities rather than replace them. What really interests me is how we’re evolving our approach to sustainability. It’s not just about using eco-friendly materials anymore – we’re thinking about the entire lifecycle of products, from design to disposal. This shift in mindset is transforming how we approach everything we do.
What’s been your most interesting project to work on?
Being involved in strategic planning with our senior leadership team has been great. It’s been exciting to help shape where we’re heading next. The team has such a clear vision of who we are and what we want to achieve – my role is helping to articulate that journey and plot our next steps.
Can you share a challenging project you’ve tackled recently?
Data is both our biggest opportunity and challenge right now. We’re sitting on a goldmine of information, but the real skill is making it meaningful. I’m working closely with our teams to understand what we’re collecting and why, so we can turn it into insights that actually help us serve our clients better.
What do you get up to outside of work?
Over the past ten years, my husband and I have been restoring a 1930s house from the ground up – it was in a terrible state when we started, but it’s been an incredible journey. I also enjoy searching for unique antique furniture and uncovering vintage treasures.
Between renovation projects and family activities, with two boys aged 14 and 10, there’s always something keeping me busy!
