Describe your career journey to date?

I started my career working in a bank call centre answering customer service calls, but quickly moved to a training role and then up to management. After around 7 years with the bank, I decided to take on a new challenge and move into a different industry, by taking on a dispatching and scheduling role with a vehicle glass repair company. I was there for 4 years. This eventually led to me joining to the RISQS scheme as a scheduler which I did for 3 years. In August 2021 RSSB decided to undertake a Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment process and the scheduling role was made internal. I then successfully applied for my current position as operations manager where I have been since December 2021.

Describe the key skills and experience which contributed to you successfully being offered a role at RSSB.

I believe my people management and problem-solving skills were key to me successfully being offered my role at RSSB. Experience gained in previous roles of working with multiple stakeholders and managing external contractors and systems have also enabled me to be successful.

How did you get into assurance?

My path into assurance wasn’t really planned, I fell into it through various lateral career moves. Now I am here I really enjoy being involved in such an important part of making the rail industry safer and more efficient.

Why RSSB?

Being part of RSSB I am proud to work for an organisation that is fully focused on bringing about improved health and safety performance throughout Britain's railway network.

What do you most enjoy about your current role?

Every day in the role is different with new problems and challenges to tackle. With the ever-changing nature of both assurance and the rail industry I am constantly learning and developing new skills. Being involved in the evolution of the RISQS scheme recently has also enabled me to get more involved in project work which, while challenging, is also enjoyable.

What are your possible career opportunities?

I feel the logical next step in my career would be to eventually move into a senior leader or director type position. However, I still feel I have a way to go in developing and growing in my current role before I would be ready for this step up. My next target is to complete a Level 5 Management Apprenticeship with a view to reaching chartered manager status in the future.

What skills have you developed at RSSB?

My multitasking and organisational skills have greatly developed since becoming an operations manager at RSSB. The complex and ever-changing nature of the operations we undertake, along with the size and geographical spread of the team, mean I am always spinning various plates and need to keep on top of multiple tasks or issues at once.

Key achievements or career highlights at RSSB?

I completed and passed an ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor course in February 2023 which has given me a much better understanding of the auditing work my team do.

Any interests / hobbies outside of work that you'd like to share?

I competed in amateur boxing throughout high school and still go to the boxing gym every so often in an attempt to keep fit, I also do bouldering (indoor rock climbing) once or twice a week.