The Heavenly Hotseat: Marie-France van Heel, CMO at Be.EV
In the Hotseat this month: Marie-France van Heel, CMO at Be.EV
September 2023
1. Where and when were you happiest
Wow, start me off with the big existential questions on life rather than break me in gently. Childbirth has to be up there. Though I’m 5ft 3″ and my son is now 6ft 4″ so I was ‘happy’ but I wouldn’t say that was ‘fun’. The other two were easier and all three remain an absolute inspiration.
2. What do you value most in other people?
Generosity and problem solving. ‘I’m happy to help, and I have ideas on how to help. Leave it with me’. And breathe….
3. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
‘Embrace the chaos’. Actually not sure someone told me that or I read it on a tea towel but it has stood me in great stead. Keeping calm plate spinning in a thunderstorm is a highly under-rated skill.
4. What did you dream of being when you were young?
A children’s tv presenter. I thought that appearing on a tv dating show might raise my profile and help my career. 20 years of intermittent mickey taking was the result but I’m happy to embrace my 15m of fame/shame!
5. What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
Rishi Sunak saying he was a big proponent of green policies. When I say laugh out loud, please add ‘in despair’ after…
6. What keeps you awake at night?
Noise and ideas. I’m a ridiculously light sleeper and have been known to lash out at someone 4 rooms away dropping a pin for making too much noise. Also I seem to come up with stunningly brilliant ideas in the middle of the night. Well some brilliant ideas. Ok pretty mediocre ones. Most of which I forget on waking up.
7. What is your favourite word?
Changes weekly. I just heard the term confelicity on R4 – it is the opposite of schadenfreude, taking joy in other people’s happiness. I’ve dropped it into conversations 3 times this week and revelled in my pretentiousness…
8. Which talent are you most envious of?
Patience. Oh my. Not my strongest suit. Just ask Richard Sunderland…
9. Which famous painting would you choose to have in your home?
Anything by Modigliani.
10. What is your proudest moment?
Husband’s maiden speech in the Houses of Parliament is up there (before I got told to leave for **outrageously** breast feeding in the gallery). Kids’ graduations after the covid-omnishambles young people were put through (don’t get me started on that).