Meet our people

Our people are at the heart of our company

The Ideal Standard family is always evolving – over 9,000 employees worldwide, and countless tradespeople, architects and specifiers, spread across more than 20 countries. With over 1,000 staff in the UK alone, we’re always searching for new members. So what’s it like to work at Ideal Standard International? A few of our current employees lend their thoughts…

Nick Willis

What is your job title?
Specification manager Non-residential 

Which department do you work in?
I work as part of the external sales force

How long have you been working for Ideal Standard?
I have been working at ideal standard since October 2014, about 3 years 10 months. 

Please sum up your role in one sentence
My role is to engage with the architectural and design community at the early stage of projects (conceptual stages, design, tender) it’s my role to specify our products on particular projects and make sure we retain the business as the project progresses. 

What do you do on an average working day?
This role is so varied you could be doing anything, you can be meeting with a prestigious architectural practise or going into a hospital to see an estates department. Engaging with merchants to look at taking share opportunities. 

How did you get into your career?
I got into my career post university; just looking for a steady income. Through that I was able to be develop an understanding of the core business and be promoted into the external sales force. 

What do you most enjoy about your role at Ideal Standard?
The variation of tasks/days and also the people you meet. The people to me are the most important, the ones who rely on you, who come to you for help as you build that foundation of a relationship. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from being “the guy” they want to speak with and work with. 

What's the best thing you have ever done (professionally) as part of your role with Ideal Standard?
The best thing I’ve done is go and see one of the largest architects in my area and helped draw up a specification with them, to then see my name and my spec come out with the tender documents some weeks later. It gives you a sense of satisfaction that you listened and understood the customer’s needs and were able to meet them. It’s also a sign that you’ve settled into that role and the area itself. 

Have you been promoted during your career with Ideal Standard?
Yes from Business Support non-residential to the external sales force with the engagement and support of managers here.

What's the one piece of advice you could offer to someone new, coming in to your department?
Always make a good impression and be polite as you never know who you may end up working for. 

Ann-Marie Tennison

What is your job title?
Performance Improvement & Process Manager

Which department do you work in?
Customer Support

How long have you been working for Ideal Standard?
16 years

Please sum up your role in one sentence
To really understand our customers’ expectations and ensure that the Customer Support function is meeting those expectations in line with company strategy and objectives. I’m responsible for the improvement of individual and team performance standards, training requirements and all processes within the Customer Support Department.

What do you do on an average working day?
I arrive at around 07:30 and the first thing I do is review my calendar for the day to ensure I’m fully prepared for any calls or meetings. Each day is different but could involve me attending cross function project meetings; presenting a new idea to my line manager / management team; reviewing an individual’s performance; analysing data to look for process improvements; or interviewing candidates for Customer Support vacancies. 

How did you get into your career?
I left university with an Accountancy degree and started as a Finance Graduate in the glamorous world of fish processing, but it soon became apparent that it was the customer interaction and dealing with people that really interested me. I switched then to manage a small customer service team and it was here that my real passion for people management was born. I joined Ideal Standard as a team leader in the Customer Support department and then progressed to where I am today

What do you most enjoy about your role at Ideal Standard?
I love problem solving and our customers help by bringing lots of problems! It’s a great feeling to be able to turn a negative situation into a positive one. I also get huge satisfaction from helping to develop the individuals within the Customer Support team to enable them to perform their jobs to the highest standard.

What's the best thing you have ever done (professionally) as part of your role with Ideal Standard?
I’ve been a part of many successful projects in my time at Ideal Standard including managing changes in systems, processes and personnel. Most recently, we introduced a Graduate scheme within Supply Chain which saw the graduates start their Ideal Standard journey in the Customer Support department. It’s been a challenge to manage their expectations as well as to ensure the continued smooth running of the department. It’s working really well so far and I hope that some, or all of these Graduates, will go on to become future leaders within the business.

Have you been promoted during your career with Ideal Standard?
Yes, twice. Firstly from Team Leader to Deputy Customer Support Manager, and then more recently into my current position.

What's the one piece of advice you could offer to someone new, coming in to your department?
Customer Support is a perfect introduction into a career within Ideal Standard. Keep your ears and eyes open constantly, as there is so much to learn which can give you an excellent understanding of the whole business.

Gareth Edwards

What is your job title?
Kiln to Warehouse Leader

Which department do you work in?
Production department

How long have you been working for Ideal Standard?
20 years

Please sum up your role in one sentence
The main purpose of the role is to ensure the customer receives the right product at the right time to the highest quality standard.

What do you do on an average working day?
I always start between 5-6am and finish between 2-3 in the afternoon; I deal with any issues within the department, including looking after labour plans for a team of 60+ across production and warehouse, including six shift leaders. I ensure the 24-hour production operation runs as smoothly as possible.

How did you get into your career?
When I first left school I wanted to be a fireman. but went to work in a builder’s merchants, then joined Ideal Standard. I've worked my way up the career ladder, from a temporary general operative position, to the head of the production team.

What do you most enjoy about your role at Ideal Standard
I love working with people and the management side of the role. I'm a very hands-on manager who likes to get stuck in!

What's the best thing you have ever done (professionally) as part of y our role with Ideal Standard?
I've successfully managed several large projects that have saved the company a lot of money. Also contributing ideas to the company that have led to several new initiatives for smarter working.

Have you been promoted during your career with Ideal Standard?
Yes, I started as a general operative and have been promoted three times to now lead the whole department.

What's the one piece of advice you could offer to someone new, coming in to your department?
There's a lot of good people in the business, so make as many contacts within the company as you can. There is a huge amount of knowledge in the business that is really good to tap into!

Vikki Atkin

What is your job title?
HR Business Partner

Which department do you work in?
Human Resources

How long have you been working for Ideal Standard?
13 years

Please sum up your role in one sentence
I help to enhance business improvement for the Ideal Standard people; advising and guiding the leadership team on people management, which includes absence management, succession planning, departmental structures, recruitment etc.

What do you do on an average working day?
It’s a really varied role that involves a lot of interaction with key stakeholders within the business, supporting and guiding employees on various HR matters, lots of travel to different sites and attending meetings. I also spend a lot of time with the leadership team and support the HR operations team with their personal development and career plans.

How did you get into your career?
I actually started with the business on maternity cover for a receptionist when I was 18! Then I joined the payroll team and achieved my payroll qualifications. I developed an interest in HR, specifically in training and development. I was then taken on as a trainee HR administrator and my role developed from there. The business supported my CIPD and master’s degree studies. I graduated three years ago with a master’s degree in Human Resource Management, and I'm also qualified in psychometric testing, and have been recently studying at Henley business school. I was promoted to HRBP in April of 2016.

What do you most enjoy about your role at Ideal Standard
I love the diversity; no two days are the same! I really enjoy watching and supporting the success of other people within the company and the interaction with all areas of the business. I also love the team that I work in…such good people. Although I’m a generalist, my specialism is talent management as I really like to support people to progress.

What's the best thing you have ever done (professionally) as part of y our role with Ideal Standard?
Obtaining a master’s degree is my greatest professional achievement.

Have you been promoted during your career with Ideal Standard?
Yes. A continued progression throughout the last 13 years, I am always studying towards the next promotion.

What's the one piece of advice you could offer to someone new, coming in to your department?
Get a good understanding of the company and build strong networks to tap into the outstanding knowledge there is within Ideal Standard.

 

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