Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd
I started my career with Thomas Hardie back in 2003 as a Nightshift Technician based at our Trafford Park depot and was quickly exposed to a very different organisation and way of working than I’d been used to. Coming from a relatively small, family-run business to a company as large and established as Thomas Hardie was daunting initially, however, I was quickly welcomed and introduced to a very professional way of working, where the business’s core values were incredibly transparent.
It wasn’t long before I achieved Volvo Master Technician accreditation having attained the necessary training and skillset to become a fully qualified and competent Technician, following the successful completion of several comprehensive training programmes carried out at Thomas Hardie Commercials and over at Volvo Headquarters in Warwick. I then went on to achieve my Approved Hybrid Technical Trainer accreditation.
Thomas Hardie has provided many opportunities, and I’ve had access to great tools and resources which have aided my ongoing development. I’ve been actively encouraged to evolve, and the ongoing training has provided me with transferrable skills that I can share with my peers.
Two of my greatest and most memorable achievements were firstly when I had the opportunity to visit Volvo Buses in Egypt, tasked with providing training to their skilled employees on high voltage, Euro 6 hybrid vehicles. Secondly, in 2016 I was asked to attend Plaxton’s plant in Scarborough to support Volvo Buses UK with the introduction of Euro 6 to the customer and oversee the entire process to ensure it went without any issues.
In 2017, I accepted a position that saw me working in a dual role for both Volvo Buses UK and Thomas Hardie, during this period, I was still actively developing and promoting Frontline Bus and Coach.
2020 saw my transition into my current role of Thomas Hardie’s Group Truck, Bus & Coach Manager, supporting a team of now 6 strong Frontline Truck & Bus technicians who provide invaluable support to our truck, bus & coach network. Frontline has been such an unprecedented success that going forward, I hope to develop the team further.
My career at Thomas Hardie has taken me to Sweden, Isle of Man, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Cairo, and I’ve experienced an extensive range of different roles, encounters, and challenges.
Thomas Hardie and Volvo are part of my DNA – their core values are the same as mine. I recognise and respect the way people are treated with trust and transparency and I’ve never felt limited in any way. I can do anything, providing I’m willing to work hard and I’ve accomplished so much personally.
I’m now the manager of a successful team of highly skilled frontline technicians, and it’s my job to inspire and set the direction for our work. Teambuilding and feedback are incredibly important to me, and Thomas Hardie grants me the potential to continue my development as a figurehead for my team.
Thomas Hardie is a company that inspires me. It’s forward-thinking. I like the mindset, culture, and being part of a team that does its utmost to make me feel valued. For me, this is more than a job. I’m investing my time, knowledge, and experience in a company that is investing in me.”