For Beth Chaplin, a secondment into PR provided the experience, confidence and skills needed to turn a new interest into a permanent career move. Read on to learn more about how her journey went from Retail Associate at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, to PR and Communications.

Hello! Tell us about your career journey and how you arrived in your current role.

Having visited the Studio Tour every Christmas Eve growing up, I’ve always been inspired by the passion and knowledge of the staff who brought the filmmaking magic of Harry Potter to life.

After a visit in 2021, I decided I wanted to be part of the experience. I joined the Retail team as a Sales Associate before moving into Admissions as a Host, where I gained valuable experience across different areas of the business.

A year later, I secured a secondment in the PR team, and upon completion, successfully applied for a permanent role. Now, as PR & Communications Assistant, I’m grateful to have worked across three departments during my five years at the Studio Tour.

What inspired you to apply for an internal opportunity?

During my time in Admissions at the Studio Tour, I was fortunate to have an incredible Team Leader, Sian Wilson, who helped me build confidence in my abilities and supported my development.

During one of our catch-ups, she mentioned a role she thought I would enjoy and encouraged me to apply. Her belief in me gave me the confidence to take that next step, and her support played a huge part in helping me progress my career.

Your move into PR started as a secondment opportunity. How did that experience help you explore a new career path and ultimately transition into your current role?

Having worked across different areas of the Studio Tour, I already had a strong understanding of the operation and what guests love about the experience. It showed me that even if you haven’t worked in a specific role before, the knowledge and experience gained elsewhere can still be incredibly valuable.

The team invested time in training and supporting me and my knowledge of PR, confidence and skills grew significantly over the year. By the end of the secondment, I felt ready to take the next step and apply for the PR Assistant role.

Secondments are a fantastic way to explore a new career path, build new skills and discover opportunities you may never have considered otherwise.

Which skills or experiences from your previous role helped you succeed in your new position?

Spending three years in visitor-facing roles at the Studio Tour before moving into PR gave me a strong understanding of how the business operates and what goes into delivering an exceptional visitor experience.

It also helped me build valuable relationships across departments, which is a real advantage in my current role, where successful press events, filming opportunities and projects rely on close collaboration across the Studio Tour.

What has been the biggest learning or surprise since making the move?

I’ve been most surprised by how much I’ve learned in just two years within the team. My growth has been made possible by the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. Their knowledge, support and willingness to share their expertise have helped me develop both personally and professionally.

My manager, Debra Clavey, has played a huge part in that journey, consistently encouraging me to challenge myself, build my confidence and embrace new opportunities.

What advice would you give to colleagues considering their next career move within the business?

It’s important to consider which aspects of your role you enjoy most and use those to help guide your next steps.

A huge part of why I’ve loved working at the Studio Tour is simply how much I enjoy being here. Being able to work somewhere I’m genuinely passionate about, alongside incredible colleagues and on such a wide variety of exciting projects, has made coming to work something I truly look forward to every day.