Maxine Lane, 25 years working for MDL

Celebrating her important 50-year milestone this year too, MDL's Senior Marketing Manager has been with the company for 25 years.

“Studying travel and tourism at university, I’d always wanted to work in the leisure industry, so I was delighted to join MDL as a Marketing Assistant in May 1998. I can’t quite believe it’s been almost 25 years, and how different things were back then. Images were printed on transparencies and adverts were sent to and from design agencies via the post! Nowadays it’s all digital and takes a fraction of the time.

“My first few days were amazing and memorable. On day one I was on the ‘follow me boat’ that brought the Whitbread Round the World race boats into our Ocean Village Marina, and on day two I met Princess Anne who officially opened a new building at our Hamble Point Marina. A year after joining, in 1999 I was awarded the MDL Young Achiever of the Year Award and spent a week onboard the OYT South John Laing, learning the ropes and earning an RYA sailing qualification.

I was promoted to Marketing Manager after a couple of years, so have worked in the marketing department all my time at MDL, but there’s never a dull moment as I’ve been involved in all aspects of the company – marinas, consultancy and estates. I was even able to visit our Sant Carles Marina in Spain during the build. It’s been amazing to see it change from a mound of mud to a stunning marina with an infinity swimming pool.

“I’ve also been involved in lots of great events - Guernsey Customer Rally, St Malo Christmas Cruise, Southampton Boat Show and, more recently, our own South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show. MDL has invested in me too and supported me as I’ve developed my skills which lead to me passing the CIM Level 6 Managing Brands professional qualification last year. I love the variety of my job and the people who I now call friends. It’s why I’ve stayed so long.”