To celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, Handsfree Group would like to highlight some of the talented women employed across our workforce.
Here is what they had to say about their careers, role within the company, and inspirations.
Maisie Barrett-Hopkins – Operational Support Coordinator
Q: Briefly describe your job role/how long you have been with Handsfree Group.
A: I have been at handsfree for just over 3 years, and I work within the Customer Service/Operations Team. My job involves supporting the engineers throughout the day. I deal with any customer enquires or issues that may arise, and bill and close down all engineers’ jobs.
Q: What drew you to this field/job role?
A: I first started out in the Planning Team as First Response. After a year, Handsfree Group approached me to join the Customer Service Team, which suited me a lot better. I learnt a lot from being in the Planning Team which made it easier for me to join Customer Service.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job role within Handsfree Group?
A: Being in the Customer Service Team is great as every day is different and you never know what a customer or an Engineer is going to ask you – which makes it challenging. I enjoy speaking with the Engineers and the customers. I work with a great team as well.
Q: Which woman, either currently or in history, inspires you the most and why?
A: Princess Diana. She was just so loveable, caring, and compassionate. She didn’t let anything, or anyone hold her back. She did so much for charity and helped the sick. She never let anyone control her and she stood for what she believed in. She was also such a fashion icon.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
A: Flying so I can just fly off to my favourite place ever whenever I want – Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Lorna Gilbert – Graduate Digital Marketing Executive
Q: Briefly describe your job role/how long you have been with Handsfree Group.
A: I have been with Handsfree Group for around 6 months now as part of the Marketing Team. My role focuses on videography, social media, and marketing; but I work on a range of projects across Handsfree Group UK and US, with the R5 Team, and our sister company CKO.
Q: What drew you to this field/job role?
I have always enjoyed creative subjects and found a particular passion for digital media and marketing. After completing my Digital Media and Communications degree, I began my search for a graduate job, and was happy to find a role with Handsfree Group.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job role within Handsfree Group?
I enjoy the variety of projects I can work on in this role. From filming vehicle conversions at the Install Hub in York, to posting our latest installations, products, and exhibitions onto social media. Each new project challenges me to develop my skills and learn some new ones. Every day is unique, and I get to work with a friendly team of very talented people.
Q: Which woman, either currently or in history, inspires you the most and why?
My female friend’s passion for their careers and hobbies is truly inspirational to me. I always love to hear about their successes and feel driven to achieve my own goals.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The power to teleport, then I could travel the world on my lunch break. Tokyo one day, New York the next!
Rachel Waters – HR & Recruitment Advisor
Q: Briefly describe your job role/how long you have been with Handsfree Group
A: I have been with Handsfree Group since May 2021. My role includes a variety of HR and Recruitment activities including ensuring HR queries are dealt with promptly throughout the business, updating and maintaining our HR Information System, and ensuring HR policies are in line with current legislation. Additionally, my role involves managing the end-to-end recruitment process, in adherence with our Values and business requirements, including attraction, selection, screening, and onboarding.
Q: What drew you to this field/job role?
A: Helping to shape the culture of an organisation and focusing on what keeps employees productive and engaged is a key factor that drew me towards a career in HR.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job role?
A: My role is excitingly varied, focusing on supporting Handsfree Group growth through attracting, developing, and engaging with talent whilst creating HR efficiency. I really enjoy the fast-paced nature of the role and working alongside all our employees.
Q: Which woman, either currently or in history, inspires you the most and why?
A: I’d have to say my Mam, she’s always inspired, supported, and encouraged me throughout my career.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
A: I would absolutely love to be able to read my Dalmatians mind. I often wonder what he’s thinking!
Natalie Fatorechi – Accountant
Q: Briefly describe your job role/how long you have been with Handsfree Group.
A: I think the staff will say the most important part of my job is paying them! I do payroll amongst many other things. This is my 11th year with Handsfree Group.
Q: What drew you to this field/job role?
A: I fell into accountancy by accident. English was my favourite subject at school, I didn’t like maths. Many years ago, I was an Office Manager, and the Accountant of the company I was working for needed some help. 25 years later, here I am!
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job role within Handsfree Group?
A: It’s different every day. I learn every day. It’s fast paced which I love, as I get bored very easily!
Q: Which woman, either currently or in history, inspires you the most and why?
A: Rosa Parks. I always, always stand up for what I believe is right – Ms. Parks went above and beyond this, and I admire her bravery massively. And of course, my Mum, who bought me and my two sisters up under difficult circumstances. She’s an absolute angel.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
A: Teleportation. Then I could get an extra hour in bed in the morning.
Jess Elliott – Service Delivery Manager
Q: Briefly describe your job role/how long you have been with Handsfree Group.
A: I started at Handsfree group in June 2021 as the Senior Project Manager. However, I recently gained a promotion to Service Delivery Manager in December. My current role has me overseeing the Projects, Planning, and Customer Service department to ensure we operate a profitable and customer service focused business.
Q: What drew you to this field/job role?
A: The role heavily relies on organisation and logistics which is something I’ve always loved doing, both professionally and personally. The business growth potential for Handsfree Group within the R5 team and my department is fantastic.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job role within Handsfree Group?
A: The culture here is great. My team work really well together, as well as with other departments. I love the busy periods as it keeps me on my toes. Also, the completion of a project is really satisfying, especially if it has been a success.
Q: Which woman, either currently or in history, inspires you the most and why?
A: My role model is my Nanna. She spent her whole life looking after my disabled auntie, along with my mum and uncle, whilst my grandad went out to work every day.
She would also look after my sister and I almost every day after school at the same time as caring for my auntie, until she went into care at the age of 40 after my nanna was no longer able to. Alongside all of this, she would volunteer at day care centres to look after other disabled children, and often did fund raisers for these day care centres. I couldn’t even imagine how difficult it would be to be a full-time carer from the age of 21.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
A: My chosen superpower would be teleportation, so I could go wherever I want, whenever I want (basically, on holiday).
Thank you to our staff for taking part in the celebration of such an important day. View our blog post from last years International Women’s Day here.
