Can you remember your first day at Anochrome?
Talk about hitting the ground running! My first day was a whirlwind trip trying to visit all four of our UK sites: Anochrome, WEP, Anotec, and Inlex, while simultaneously trying to get to grips with my predecessor’s to-do list. It was busy, but it set the pace!
How did you get into the industry?
This is actually my very first role within the fastener industry. Before joining the team here, my entire career had been rooted in the automotive sector, where I specialised in Quality Management and Assurance.
What does your day-to-day role involve?
No two days are alike, but my primary mission is keeping the Anochrome Group operating safely and legally. I also ensure continued compliance with our accredited standards that we have acquired throughout the Anochrome Group such as IATF16949 (Automotive Quality), AS9100 (Aerospace Quality), and ISO14001 (Environmental Management). Beyond the paperwork, I also oversee data including contractor checks, to ensure that our contractors are compliant, when conducting works on our UK sites. Another key role is supporting our quality managers in relation to all aspects of Quality management and assurance.
What are the biggest changes you have seen in the industry and the company since you started?
There has been a monumental and very welcome shift in attitudes toward environmental management systems and our overall impact on the planet. We are looking at everything through a greener lens now, from our daily energy consumption right down to the specific chemicals we use.
What are some of your career highlights and milestones so far?
When I first started out in a logistics factory job, I was bluntly told I would never have a career in quality. Thankfully, someone else saw something in me, approached me and suggested I give it a go anyway.
I was incredibly lucky to land a fantastic manager who was proactive, pragmatic and taught me everything I know. He constantly encouraged me to challenge myself and push for European and Group-level roles. To my own astonishment, I was more than capable! By the time I left that organisation, I was their Group IMS Manager, looking after 32 plants globally. Not bad for a young lady who was told 15 years prior that she’d never make it in Quality!
What is your favourite thing about working for Anochrome?
I get to work across all six of our sites, and I love that every single one of them has its own unique personality and synergy. It keeps things fresh, no two sites or working days are ever the same
If you could, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Soak everything up as you go, grab every single opportunity with both hands! Always learn from mistakes, whether they are yours or someone else’s. Never be afraid to challenge the status quo or ask questions, always listen to good advice and above all, believe in yourself.