What has been your greatest career achievement? Being part of the early stages of wnDirect was an incredible time, and gave me and colleagues the opportunity to think creatively and truly push ourselves. We won the New Business of the Year Award in 2013 (National Business Awards), having achieved a £52 million turnover in the 1st year, and the Business Enabler of the Year Award (National Business Awards) in 2016. My team delivering the IT was a key part of that business success, and the industry recognition was the icing on the cake for us.
Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? I would have introduced home working a lot sooner. Covid and lockdown in the last 18 months has revealed to us all what is possible from home, and as a lot of IT work is task-driven, remote working can be factored in. It allows people to be far more flexible with their time, and they can benefit from more family involvement, more fitness, and still achieve the desired outcomes. Home working also allows organisations to spread their recruitment net far wider.
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What are you reading now? Entrepreneur Revolution: How to Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset and Start a Business that Works by Daniel Priestley. It explores how the internet has allowed SMEs to become global businesses very quickly. It’s highly relevant to Asendia’s model of supporting local businesses by giving them easy ways to reach international customers with affordable, scalable delivery options. Most people don't know that I… am a qualified soldier. In my second year at university, I joined the Territorial Army, and passed out as a soldier in 12 months – the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. In my spare time, I like to…Run marathons. I run every day, normally about 4 miles first thing in the morning with my ‘working cocker spaniel’ Tilly for company. Mental health is topical at the moment, and for me running keeps me feeling energised and balanced, ready for what the day has to throw at me. Once you form a habit of running every day, you stick to it with ease. In fact, it’s difficult not to go, as you feel so much better for doing it. Ask me to do anything but… DIY or gardening. I haven’t got the patience. |