Katrina Michel explains Planning Express exit
Planning Express co-owner Katrina Michel has told The Drum about her plans to leave the Cheshire agency to pursue a potential new career as a teacher.
Michel formed the planning agency with co-owner Liz Bielinska three years ago and will leave in the autumn to join a teacher training course at Chester University.
She said she made the decision to step back from full-time work for the time being so she could spend more time with her two teenage sons and potentially embark on a new career.
"It's a family decision really. I've been here with Liz for three years and it's been really great.
"But I've got two teenagers at delicate ages and my husband is working down in London so I want to be around holding the fort while they're sitting exams. I couldn't really do that while running around doing all the Planning Express stuff."
Michel is a governor at Manchester Metropolitan University and The Kings School Chester, which is where her interest in teaching was piqued.
"I spend so much time around schools that I thought 'I'd like to have a go at this myself' - and the course will keep me busy. Eventually we might move back down south and [teaching] might end up being a career move.
"It could be my last chance to try a different career so I just want to give it a go and see how it goes."
Michel, who was voted into The Drum's Power 100 by peers earlier this year, has already had one major career change having spent five years in the HM Diplomatic Service before moving into communications with Publicis, Ogilvy and JWT.
She was chairman of CheethamBell JWT in Manchester before leaving to start Planning Express, which she says will be well looked after by Bielinska and associates Rebecca Ashley and Rob Gray.