"Managing people has its challenges but just as importantly the rewards that can come with it."
What led you to work for PETA?
Through school I excelled in English and sports. I was an active member of the school sports teams captaining many throughout my time there. These early passions lead me to go to PE college to study administration in sport.
I then worked for a large chain of private health clubs travelling around the UK assisting in running health clubs and at one time worked in the gym at the House of Commons before becoming Manager of a health club in Southampton.
After a number of years decided to follow a different career path and went into education and training, firstly training lifeguards and gym instructors during which time I completed the initial stages of my teaching qualifications, my assessors and internal verification qualifications.
I have worked for Training Providers for the past 25 years and have been with PETA for 10, first managing the Business Administration and Customer Service Training Centre in Arundel Street Portsmouth and for the past 2 years managing the Engineering Training Centre in Havant.
What is your role at PETA and what drives you to do what you do?
My current role as Engineering Manager is very varied with no two days being the same! This is what I find so interesting about my role. I enjoy the variety the role brings and the opportunity to work with apprentices and employers.
This role does not come without it pressures and challenges, but I thrive on this kind of environment which is most probably why I have been with PETA for nearly 11 years.
I am also the Deputy Safeguarding Lead and my role is to ensure that all apprentices are safe throughout their programme.
What knowledge/experience do you draw upon for your role?
Although I do not have a background in engineering this is not a barrier for me as I have a brilliant team of highly skilled and qualified engineers around me and together with my many years of management experience it enables us to get the best possible outcome for our apprentices and employers. I really enjoy the face to face contact with apprentices and employers being able to resolve problems and find positive solutions.
How do you approach your role on a day-to-day basis? What skills are required?
I take each day as it comes as they say best laid plans ... My colleagues would most probably say I’m very fastidious/fussy person and I like things completed in a structured, organised way so over the years I have had to learn to adapt my preferred way of working without losing any of the quality. Managing people has its challenges but just as importantly the rewards that can come with it. I believe you need to be able to draw on a variety of skills but the most important attributes for my role are decision making, problem solving, and motivation!
Most people will know I am a stickler for rules and maintaining high standards, but that I am also passionate about the work we do at PETA in developing apprentices and employers for the future.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
I am a keen sports enthusiast and in my younger days played hockey to a high level and whilst I still play it is just a little bit slower! I enjoy tennis and golf and love attending live events.
Being such a social person family and friends are hugely important to me and I love spending time with them.
What are your personal values, and what is important to you?
I believe that being honest, being motivated and having fun go a long way to a good fulfilled life!