Career Conversations: Gurjinder Dhaliwal, Tortoise Media
(3 min read)
Gurjinder Dhaliwal is Tortoise Media's Senior Growth Manager...
Hi Gurjinder! Tell us a bit about your current role - what does it involve?
Hello there! I am part of the founding team at Tortoise Media, a high growth slow news startup set up by James Harding (former Head of BBC News), Katie Vanneck-Smith (former President of Wall Street Journal) and Matthew Barzun (former U.S. Ambassador to the UK) which is building a different kind of newsroom. Our central philosophy is that every opinion should have a seat on the table and that is why every member has equal access to our open editorial meetings which shape our output. My role is to build partnerships with interesting organisations, such as Multiverse, which help increase our membership numbers and revenue.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your current role?
It is such a joy to find ways of monetising journalism as it directly helps our journalists to do proper in depth investigations which makes a difference to real lives and society. Every week, we focus on one story and it is so great when we make an impact that changes lives through storytelling by uncovering scandals, identifying innovative public policy solutions or general wrongdoings. It is also extremely rewarding to be part of the team that finds ways of increasing our membership. It is particularly rewarding when I see members come into our newsroom at our daily events and feel a central part of our mission. As a Multiverse apprentice, you receive a complimentary membership thanks to our partnership, so please do activate through the Multiverse portal if you haven’t already - oh and definitely say hi when you’re next in the newsroom!
How did you get to where you are today in your career today?
I started my career in management consulting at a Big Four company where I developed my professional toolkit in accounting and consulting. It was a great starting point for my career as I learnt how to work - and excel - within big organisations. There are so many unwritten rules, etiquette and internal politics involved which isn’t really told before you start the world of work! I developed an interest in entrepreneurship and during my graduate scheme took a secondment to an early-stage startup. I would recommend taking secondments if you can as you will have a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a different organisation. In my case I really loved it and this shaped my decision to move into the world of startups.
You were recently named one of this year’s Forbes 30 under 30 - congratulations! What does this achievement mean to you and what do you hope to do with it?
It was such a lovely surprise and it is great to be part of a really cool community that spans across industries and is global in reach. I hope to leverage the network in order to advance social change! Sadly due to travel restrictions, I was unable to go to this year's Forbes Under 30 Summit in person, however, I hope to go next year (rules permitting!). In the meantime, I will try and leverage the opportunities online - something I encourage you to do too!
Redeem your free membership!
We’re delighted to be partnering with Tortoise Media, giving our Community access to world-class journalism, mentoring and thought-provoking events. Redeem your free, 12-month membership (RRP £100) at this link and enter the code TEAMMULTIVERSE
