We sat down with a few women from around The Bristan Group to understand their stories and their journey to where they are now. In this article, we chat with Production and Support Lead, Angela Carter, who has been at Bristan for an incredible 22 years.
How did your journey at the Bristan Group begin?
“I started in the builds department back in 2001 at the previous warehouse on Lichfield Road. It was a very small team back then – only about 25-30 people max. I built products specific to our customer’s requirements and put stock together for the merchants we sold through. After the business moved to our current warehouse, a new line of showers was introduced, and I was the first person to start that new line of products going. I did that for around 3 years as the team grew.
Following that, I applied for a new position as a Returns Operative, was successful, and stayed in that role until around 2 years ago when I moved back to builds. I really enjoyed my time working in my previous builds role, so I applied, and have been there since.”
What’s a typical day?
“A typical day at the moment could involve a lot of different things because I’m also a BOS (Bristan Operating System) Champion, a lead successor in the department, and also a Bristan Group Pantry Champion, which offers grocery support to those people struggling to afford cost of living increases. Last year, I spent time learning more about the lead successor role so that I can cover for my line manager if needed. I was also in the development programme, and I am pleased to say that I have been promoted to Production and Returns Support Lead. I now look after both the Returns and Builds Team in our warehouse and I have four people reporting directly into me so I am really proud of that achievement!
Tell me a bit more about the other things you’re involved with, outside of your general day-to-day role.
“I was asked if I’d like to be a BOS Champion and saw it as a new challenge so said yes. I’ve been really enjoying it. It’s learning new things; a new challenge. It’s allowed me to get involved with a lot of other things around the business, outside of my job.
The Bristan Group Pantry I also joined when it started at the beginning of last year. There’s a group of us who look after an email inbox that anyone in the business who is struggling with the cost of living can contact for a food or hygiene parcel. It’s a completely confidential service - outside of the handful of us who monitor the inbox, only the person who has requested the parcel knows, it doesn’t go any further. We had our first request within a few days of setting up the inbox and it’s been working very well for those who’ve needed it. It’s a bit of support when people are struggling.
I am also now a Mental Health First Aider at the Bristan Group.
What do you love most about your job?
“I think it’s the people, the team I get to work with. It’s always been a pleasant place to work. Everyone seems to get on with one another. I’ve also never been held back if I’ve wanted to get involved in something, I’ve always had the support I’ve needed.”
What’s been your proudest achievement while working here so far?
“Being here for so long I’ve had so many! My 10 and 20-year service awards were a good achievement. Being with the business for so long and working my way up to be able to learn to be a Production and Support Lead are huge achievements to me because I started as an agency worker and was taken on after just 3 months. Working my way up the ladder, to where I am now and managing four people is one of my biggest achievements. 20+ years down the line and I’m still here, still enjoying it!”
What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve been given?
“When struggling with things, don’t give up – keep going. My line manager is so supportive of me and, if I’m ever having one of those moments where my confidence dips, he’s there to support me. I’ve got so much support here.”
What’s next for your role? Where do you see yourself and your role going?
“There’s always that opportunity, once I’ve completed my Lead Successor training if a vacancy was to come up within the business, to apply to step up to that next level. There’s always another door to open if I wanted or needed it within the business. I am happy to be the successor at the moment though, it’s totally different to my day-to-day.”
How has the Bristan Group supported you?
“They’ve been there for me. I’ve been through and seen a lot over the years – changes in the business and the warehouse – and they’ve supported me in a big way.”
How inspires you?
“My partner. He also works at the Bristan Group, as a fellow Build Operative, and it’s where I met him. Simon, my line manager, inspires me a lot. He pushes me on a lot. We’ve had a few team leaders but since Simon has taken over, I’ve been inspired to get involved more.”
If you could invite three people (dead or alive, fictional or real, famous or not) to a dinner party, who would they be and why?
“It would have to be my Mom, my Dad, and my Partner. My Dad died 20 years ago and my Mom is currently in the end stages of dementia. My partner has never really met my Mom and Dad as my mom and dad should be. It would have to be those three because I’d really like for him to get to know them, and vice versa.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their career?
“Stick at it. Don’t let the challenges beat you. If you start out and you struggle, just keep going because I never thought I’d be where I am now. It’s about battling the challenges and going for it. If you’ve got an opportunity and a door open, step up, move, and go for it.”
Finally, if you could sum up Bristan in three words, what would they be?
“That’s a difficult one because there’s so much. I think it would be rewarding, supportive, and generally, the Bristan Group is a really good, pleasant company to work for. I’ve enjoyed my experience here and am still enjoying it 21 years later.”
Look out for more of our International Women’s Day articles, featuring other women from around The Bristan Group.
