“Sometimes I’m asked why I’ve been with the Club so long. The answer’s simple. It doesn’t feel as if I’ve been here long at all. I’ve taken on a new role or new challenge every few years.

I joined in a part-time retail role while I was studying over 20 years ago, then I took successive steps up the retail ladder. Today, I’m a Senior Manager, overseeing and managing more than 20 off-course betting branches – and supporting the customer betting experience by managing back-office operations.

Perhaps my favourite career highlight has been leading a new branch team to win the Club’s Best OCBB Award. We had to demonstrate outstanding customer service, strong revenues and operational excellence. It was great to be recognised and celebrate together – as a team we all travelled to Osaka.

One of the things that makes branch management here so fulfilling is the unique nature of a Club branch. Branches are about far more than wagering and lottery. They’re a social hub for local people. Customers come to them for our different leisure activities and to be sociable. 

At the same time, we encourage the branch team to play an active part in the community. I founded a branch volunteering team to collaborate with district councils or NGOs. And it’s this multi-faceted nature of branch management, with its different internal and external aspects, that makes the role so rewarding.

I think the Club’s greatest career strength is its diversity. There is such a mix of ages and backgrounds here. The team has young, energetic elements as well as experienced, calmer ones. This means there is always a different perspective to consult; always a different take on a familiar problem to learn from. The Club’s diversity means a career here is never predictable.”