What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was a child I sold newspapers and often received small tips over and above the cost price which supplemented my earnings. However one day we were in a taxi and my mother gave a tip to the driver. On witnessing this I calculated that taxi driving could be financially rewarding as the tips were a lot more than those we received selling papers – so that was my first career choice…
What attracted you to work for New Look?
Initially the fact that I was unemployed, however I had worked in the industry before so I already knew that I was suited to this field.
Describe your career path at New Look?
I started out in 1996 as a temp before being taken on full time as a picker. Following this I was a trainer then team leader, section leader, and interim shift manager before getting the job on a full time basis. I did get some exposure to projects and travelled to some manufacturing sites abroad. Once we relocated from Weymouth I followed on with the company and then got promoted to the position of Operations Manager in December 2007.
What does your job involve?
This is a very good question! I feel that my job enables me to support the vision of the brand through our culture and values programme to make New Look the preferred place to work, identifying talent and supporting the development of the entire team. I additionally have a direct responsibility to the retail arm in ensuring that the service we provide is best in class standard. Meetings are a regular requirement where the team get together, continually striving to improve upon previous results from service to cost, in addition to supporting the evolution of the company in terms of growth.
How do you aim to progress further within New Look?
By looking at and improving upon my weaknesses, taking every opportunity that is offered to me to develop my commercial knowledge beyond its current level, and continuing to work hard both individually and as part of our team. All of the above have been the foundations that have taken me from a temporary employee to my current position and hopefully with the relevant support I can take the next step in time.
What is it like working for New Look?
I really do enjoy working here and realised around 1998 that we were an organisation that genuinely believed in our people. Although the company has changed quite significantly over the 14 years that I have been here those values have not changed, and it is primarily this key component that not only keeps me here but also enables me to sell my view to others with absolute belief that what I say is true and that opportunity will be offered to those who deserve it the most through application and commitment.
What advice would you give new starters?
Be punctual, treat people with respect, work hard and if you pursue opportunity it will come your way. New Look can be a career if you crave it enough and hopefully in time you will.