Meet the team - Samantha Bedford, Commercial Director

09 March 2022 | Annabel Hudson

I've always gone after what looks interesting rather than thinking will it further my career. Where others no doubt would have seen risk I thought "I'll give it a go". This has enabled me to live in cities such as Boston, Manhattan and Dublin and work with brilliant people building and growing a range of different businesses both startups - Match.com and corporate Vodafone and Virgin Money.

Tell us a bit about your professional background and how you ended up with Pogo Studio.

I've always gone after what looks interesting rather than thinking will it further my career. Where others no doubt would have seen risk I thought "I'll give it a go". This has enabled me to live in cities such as Boston, Manhattan and Dublin and work with brilliant people building and growing a range of different businesses both startups - Match.com and corporate Vodafone and Virgin Money. It's not all been easy though. I was part of a start-up team that failed to get traction (great learnings), in a business that was suddenly disrupted by a competitor offering their services for free but through my 25 plus years, I've learned so much and am continuing to do so. For me it's always about the people and as a leader do what I can to support them to deliver their best work.

Pogo Studio was an opportunity for me to share my knowledge and experience whilst learning about a really interesting sector - digital healthcare. It came via a friend of mine who knew I was looking for some interesting and different work opportunities. Once I'd met Neil and Jack I couldn't say no.

What’s the best thing about working with Pogo?

The people. Talented, considered, open and challenging and they know how to not take themselves too seriously.

What’s the most difficult thing about working with Pogo?

The ambition of the business is tremendous but that doesn't really make it difficult. Nothing is really difficult as such. Bit of a cop-out but the truth.

You have a magic wand which will transport you anywhere in the world (no covid restrictions apply) – where are you going?

I've been very fortunate to have been to some beautiful, far-flung places in the world but I'd choose a spot in the woods near Yellow Craig beach in East Lothian, it's up high and the view is amazing.

Complete this sentence: Working in digital is…

In my blood, all I've ever done and has always made perfect sense to me.

You’re at the Pogo Christmas do. What’s your party trick?

I've been told my Chewbacca impression is world-class.

One small mistake you made in the past, which haunts you to this day...

I don't do regrets as I believe it's important to move on, I think it's the things that I didn't do that I can learn from. There's that saying "you'll never get what you don't ask for" I didn't push it to get the part in the school play. My life would be very different now. Another great learn.

What’s on your bedside table right now?

My journal
I currently have 3 books on the go:
Victor Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning
Thich Naht Hahn - Fear
Joseph Goldstein - The Experience of Insight
As s mindfulness & compassion teacher, COO of a start-up charity and NXD with Pogo I vary my reader so that I can pull it across into my own leadership, leadership of others and the coaching and mentoring i do. I'm a lifelong learner.
My Airpods so that I can meditate pre-bed and first thing.
Post it notes so that I can mark the pages of the books to remind me (being menopausal means I have to use such tools).
I have a lovely bottle of hand lotion from a small batch distillery called AS Apothecary. It was sent to me via a secret santa acitivity on the wonderful female network https://elpha.com/top I've been a member for a number of years now. it's a great community.

Finally: office budgie – yes or no?

No.