Maddie joined BIE as the Office Services Manager in 2021. We chatted to Maddie to learn more about moving from Australia to the UK, what she enjoys most about her operations role, and which animal she’d love to be for a day!
Tell us a bit about yourself
I lived in Melbourne before moving to London in March 2020, and came over to travel and experience what it was like to live overseas. I started off working in Insurance claims and compliance before falling into executive recruitment when I was looking for a role during the pandemic.
The thing I miss most about Australia is the sun and the snacks, however the UK makes up for it with its humour, pubs and excitement!
Describe your job role in a couple of sentences
My role functions in three areas of the business; Compliance, Database management & training, and office management.
What’s your greatest source of job satisfaction?
My greatest source of job satisfaction comes from being in such a varied role where I can provide support and make tangible change for the business. From providing compliance support in our contracts and billing, to running the bespoke database training for all our staff, or fixing that really annoying quirk in the office that has been around forever, but nobody has had time to change, no one day is ever the same. Working for BIE, I feel supported to voice my ideas and work towards real improvements for both myself and the business.
What advice would you give to people looking for a role in operations?
My advice would be that if you’re looking to get into an operations role, think about what areas you’re interested in and start there - you can always work your way to other interests in the field as you find them. It’s such an adaptable line of work and there are so many varied roles and pathways which you can move into that will give you the opportunity to make a job your own. Whether you start out in business support, finance, compliance or anything else, always aim for what’s interesting to you and will keep you fulfilled.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard/been given?
"Be kind to yourself” (Lisa Vigurs, BIE Executive Director)
What do you feel most passionately about at work?
Culture and support. We spend so much of our lives at work and with our colleagues, that if you find yourself unhappy or unfulfilled in your job then it can start to seep into other areas of life. Find a place which will support you to be your best professional self, then take you out for a drink afterwards.
How would you sum up the BIE culture?
The culture at BIE is one of openness, collaboration and banter. From the moment you start out at the business everybody knows your name and is always happy to help. The business is always striving to improve to make the job as enjoyable, flexible and profitable as possible. Whether it’s the bi-weekly Friday early finish for work life balance, or the monthly Thirsty Thursday company catch up, everything is done with the employees in mind to empower them to meet their goals.
If given a chance, who would you be for a day?
Not really a who, but I would love to be a spoiled house cat for a day.
Name one thing on your bucket list
Going to a really expensive tropical resort and getting massages and cocktails served to me for a week. 🥂
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?
Learning languages, whether spoken, signed or coded.
Related articles
