Company: Wincanton
Role: Product Director
Tom’s dream job was to be a sweet taster. Logistics just wasn’t on his radar. But like so many, once he saw the scope and scale of the opportunities in the sector, he realised it was perfect for him.
“I knew very little before I joined – I kind of stumbled into it after applying for the graduate programme with TNT Logistics. I have not looked back in the last 17 years.”
Tom left university with a degree in science, but with the knowledge that it wasn’t something he wanted to pursue. He wanted something that exercised the technical part of his brain, but that was also people orientated. Which is why logistics felt like such a good fit.
“The key skills I learnt are mostly people skills: how to interact with people and how to build effective and developing relationships. This is a skill I continue to work on throughout my working life.”
He’s also embraced the opportunity to up-skill and learn as he progressed:
“I’ve done a variety of in-house training and development courses and talent programmes. Whilst working for CEVA I completed my ILM5 qualification. Even now, I’m continually learning, be it technology products and direction, organisation changes, new sectors and markets or new countries and cultures.”
As part of his role, Tom has worked across a number of strategically important projects for Wincanton. However, to him the best bit has been the knowledge he’s been able to pass on:
“I get a kick out of seeing individuals that I have worked with progressing to new roles, or growing their skills in an area they love.”