Catching up with Birmingham Hippodrome’s Judith Greenburgh and finding out about her dirty little desk secret…
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I am Judith Greenburgh, corporate development manager for the Birmingham Hippodrome. I liaise between the city business community and the different aspects that make up the Hippodrome Theatre Trust. As well as world class ballet, musicals and dramas we run an education and access programme called Hippodrome Plus, a successful networking group, the Leading Ladies, apprenticeship schemes and workshops.
HOW DO YOU GET INTO TOWN?
My commute to Southside from Moseley is just a hop, skip and jump so I use my bike along the cycling route that picks its way behind Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Downhill on the way in, uphill on the way home! Occasionally I’ll drive in and because of the social nature of my role, very occasionally, I use the number 50 bus to retrieve my car from the night before!
HOW’S THE COMMUTE?
There are always interesting nooks and crannies of the city to notice – the colourful displays of exotic fruit and vegetables outside the vendors on the Ladypool Road transport me to one of my trekking destinations.
IS BRUM A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN?
It’s wonderful, and Midlanders are by nature hugely enthusiastic. I’m fortunate because for many people the Hippodrome will have been their first entertainment experience so there’s enormous affection for what we do. All the large corporates are based here and are very supportive, but below the surface there’s a vast pool of young, keen and motivated businesses to work with as well.
COFFEE BREAK?
I gave up coffee drinking having over-dosed on caffeine when working in Italy many years ago! My dirty little desk secret is a weakness for Diet Coke – if not at my desk, then I’ll pop into Home Café on Church Street which is lovely.
LUNCHTIME?
Hard to beat the lively Green Room at the Hippodrome to be honest. I’m a regular at Ken Ho on Hurst Street too. Perhaps too regular as I’m know as Miss Gai Lan there!
POWERWALKING?
I criss-cross the city on foot to get to appointments, so I’ve got my own short cuts. For an inspiring breath of fresh air you can’t beat St Philip’s Cathedral Square.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CITY?
When I first discovered St Paul’s Square, I thought ‘this is it’ – it’s so peaceful and yet so close to the city centre. Plus, I have a passion for Ex Cathedra’s Christmas Music by Candlelight concerts at the Georgian church.
AFTERWORK PINT?
A glass of champagne at Fumo is a great treat. I head to our own StageSide bar in Thorp Street for post-show work gossip. Closer to home in Moseley, the PTA meeting often ends up in the Fighting Cocks.
HOW CAN THE CITY BE MADE BETTER?
Recently I strolled from Brindleyplace along the canal at dusk to The Mailbox, and I found myself saying ‘this really is a pretty good place to live’. For me, city working life would be a lot easier with a return of budgetary-making decisions to the regional offices of some of the major businesses.