Optimas Training | Staff

Background

Founded Optimas three years ago with Garry Brown after more than ten years experience in the recruitment, sales and training industries.  Previously founded and managed successful recruitment business, Dilectus.

Worst job you’ve ever done

Worked in a House of Fraser Coffee Shop on a Saturday. Miserable...

Favourite place to be

Barcelona

Who is your hero

Spiderman

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Moonshiner, by Uncle Tupelo

Background

Since leaving university I have been involved in the hospitality industry, the sales industry and now the training industry. Since starting Optimas with Matthew our knowledge of the industry has grown enormously which, along with our previous experience, has allowed the company to prosper.  

Worst job you’ve ever done

Shelf stacking in a supermarket. My colleagues were the only reason I stuck with it.

Favourite place to be

Mallorca with my family

Who is your hero

Super Ally McCoist a true Rangers legend

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be

Background

Had a brief period in Sales whilst at 6th Form College before becoming a Site Manager in Construction. After nearly 4 years in the sector and health and safety making the job a burden, decided to move back into a sales focussed role with Optimas.

Worst job you’ve ever done

1 and a half days in McDonalds when I was 16. Then they made me take all the bins out . . . . .

Favourite place to be

Easter Weekend in Blackpool!!

Who is your hero

Peter Stringfellow

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Theme from Benny Hill

Background

After leaving sixth form I worked for a large local Waste Recycling Company for 10 years until I was made redundant. I started there as receptionist, left as assistant to the Transport Manager and covered a few different jobs along the way!

Worst job you’ve ever done

I worked in a beautiful little tea room as a weekend girl but the boss was a completely miserable horrible man who took all our tips.

Favourite place to be

A cosy day at home.

Who is your hero

My Mum. She has taught me everything I know about being a good mummy as well as being a good person!

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Son of A Preacher Man – anyone who knows me knows why...

Background

I have been working as an Assessor since 2005. Prior to this I was a Team Manager within a Debt Management Company. During this time I completed my ILM Diploma in Managment, A1, V1 and Certificate in Education.

Worst job you’ve ever done

Working at a pizza shop serving drunkards with greasy food.

Favourite place to be

Baga Beach, Goa, India

Who is your hero

My Mum

What song would be the theme tune to your life

New Radicals – ‘You get what you give’

Background

The majority of my experience has been within the role of telesales associate and as a front line manager within the retail sector. I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2007 with a BA Honours in Sociology.

Worst job you’ve ever done

Telesales

Favourite place to be

India - at the Golden Temple Amritsar.

Who is your hero

My beloved Father

What song would be the theme tune to your life

I Believe I Can Fly

Background

After studying for many years to be an actress I took a complete change and went into customer service.  After 6 years of working my way up to senior positions in various companies fate stepped in and I became an NVQ assessor. Best move I have ever made!  

Worst job you’ve ever done

Pub cleaner.  I won’t describe what cleaning the toilets was like!

Favourite place to be

On stage.

Who is your hero

Sponge Bob Square Pants. The guy is a genius!

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Drive by Incubus.

Background

I have worked in a number of Further Education colleges delivering and assessing NVQs in a range of occupational areas together with Teacher Training qualifications.  My experience includes the delivery and assessment of the Assessor and Internal Verifier awards.

Worst job you’ve ever done

Working in a Pub

Favourite place to be

Vienna – listening to the music of Johann Strauss II

Who is your hero

My father

What song would be the theme tune to your life

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Background

I came to work for Optimas Straight from school as an apprentice.

Worst job you’ve ever done

This is the first job I’ve ever had.

Favourite place to be

Turkey

Who is your hero

My Dad

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Don’t worry be happy

Background

I’ve done a lot of voluntary sports coaching for young children in my area which I really enjoyed, which included a range of sports.  

Worst job you’ve ever done

Waitressing.

Favourite place to be

Turkey.

Who is your hero

My Mum.

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Couldn’t decide, I have too many, and it depends what mood I’m in!

Background

Worked in a sales environment for the last 5 years, ranging from business to business to consumer sales. Prior to this I attended university and studied Politics and Social Sciences.

Worst job you’ve ever done

Order Packing after my GCSE exams.

Favourite place to be

In a beer garden with the sun shining – Heaven!

Who is your hero

Nobody really. At a push, Hulk Hogan.

What song would be the theme tune to your life

“Bare Necessities” Forget about your worries and your strife.

Background

I’ve worked in a DIY store, in a bakery and in various restaurants, bars, hotels and shops in Turkey. I then worked in a call centre, doing a sales apprenticeship before moving to Optimas.

Worst job you’ve ever done

Clock watching in the DIY store.

Favourite place to be

Pamukkale, Turkey

Who is your hero

Batman.. obviously!

What song would be the theme tune to your life

The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens

Background

I have worked in a outbound sales Environment for the last 7 years selling various products. Before I came to work at Optimas I worked as an Account Manager for an Employer Engagement company in Barnsley

Worst job you’ve ever done

Working in a chicken fast-food shop when I was at school as I have been Vegetarian for 16 years.

Favourite place to be

Magaluf partying, or bed

Who is your hero

My boyfriend, Simon.

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Bonkers - Dizee Rascal

Background

I have worked in the telesales industry for the last 5 years. My last job was with an employer engagement company for whom I worked for 3 years.

Worst job you’ve ever done

KFC. I didn’t even last the 4 hour shift!

Favourite place to be

Back travelling Oz.

Who is your hero

My Mum.

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Frank Sinatra, "That’s life".

Background

I am a seasoned manufacturing professional who progressed from Production Engineering to running my own sub-contract electronics company manufacturing thick film hybrid circuits. I now run my own company providing business support.

Worst job you've ever done

Erecting a market stall when a young lad

Favourite place to be

Couzinet, France

Who is your hero

My father

What would be the theme tune to your life

Make Your Own Kind of Music – the Mamas and the Papas

Background

Numerous years (more than I care to mention) in Training & Development. Been involved in NVQ’s since Adam was a lad & surprisingly I still enjoy it to this day

Worst job you've ever done

Been fortunate enough not to have one – if I have memory’s blocked it out

Favourite place to be

Viva Las Vegas

Who is your hero

Dr Who…what a bloke…

What song would be the theme tune to your life

I Dreamed a Dream

Background

Retail and Management background having worked in city centre department stores as well as out of town retail parks

Worst job you've ever done

Saturday job stacking shelves in supermarket

Favourite place to be

Nice, Cote d Azur

Who is your hero

Alan Shearer

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Local Hero, Mark Knopfler 

Background

I came straight to Optimas from school although I've had a few weeks work experience in a nursery school which I enjoyed.

Favourite place to be

On holiday or in bed

Who is your hero

My mum

What song is the theme tune to your life

Hmm, lots! Depends what mood I'm in

Background

I had lots of different jobs while my daughter was growing up to fit around her, but for the last twelve years I have been teaching, training and assessing both in Further Education Colleges and other training companies. I can’t imagine doing anything else now

Worst job you've ever done

Working in a hospital laundry – you can imagine how bad that was!

Favourite place to be

Lapland

Who is your hero

My husband

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Always look on the bright side of life

Background

I went to college and studied business then went on to working in retail at New Look and also in catering at the Sheffield United ground and Hey POTATO in meadowhall, I loved working with POTATOES.

Worst job you've ever done

Working in retail - all the cleaning at the end of the night!

Favourite place to be

On a summer holiday, catching a tan

Who is your hero

Jackie Chan

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Ain't no mountain high enough

Background

I currently assess STLS, HSC, IAG, Business &Admin all at levels 2,3, Management level 3 and LMC. So no two days are ever the same!!! 

Worst job you've ever done

Can’t think of a job I’ve never enjoyed

Favourite place to be

Mevagissey - Cornwall

Who is your hero

Got to be my Dad - Bless him!

What song would be the theme tune to your life

I want to break free - Queen

Background

I started my working life 11 years ago in Public Relations, working with clients as diverse as HP and carrentals.co.uk.  For the past six years I have been working in marketing and joined Optimas in 2010.

Worst job you've ever done

Kitchen hand in an old people's home when I was 16

Favourite place to be

Reading a bedtime story to my little girl

Who is your hero

Audrey Hepburn - elegant, beautiful, serene.... everything I'd like to be

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Take it Easy, The Eagles

Background

Worked as a customer service advisor and an invigilator

Worst job you've ever done

Being a waitress!

Favourite place to be

On a beach somewhere HOT!

Who is your hero

Ronan Keating

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Life is a rollercoaster……..

Background:

Attended Dearne Valley College and then started at Optimas.

Worst job you've ever done

Working in a Salon!

Favourite place to be

On Holiday with my family

Who is your hero

My Dad

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Gone’Ft by Kelly Rowland

Background

Currently working on a freelance basis after working in a variety of Training & Development, Advisory & Management roles as Business Adviser for SMEs, recruiting and training Business Mentors, and as an IIP Assessor also having established and run my own business an NVQ Assessment centre several years ago

Worst job you've ever done

Having established a northern base for a training company and recruited and trained staff, being told by head office to ‘let go’ 5 consultants

Favourite place to be

Anywhere quiet, sunny and near the sea although New England in the Fall really is a wonderful place to just be

Who is your hero

I need to name several heroes and heroines- ie my grandchildren Charlie, Sophie, Olivia and Lily all of whom remind me of the importance of living for the day

What would be the theme tune to your life

Perfect Day

Background

Before working as an NVQ Assessor I had a varied career, working in Retail for companies such as Next and Marks and Spencer. I also spent 8 years working for Norwich Union where I had the opportunity to work in India coaching and developing staff. Although I achieved my D32/D33 in 1997 I did not decide to work as an Assessor until 2008 

Worst job you've ever done

Working in a sandwich shop

Favourite place to be

Dubai

Who is your hero

My Mum

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Fairground Attraction – “Perfect”

Background

When I finished school, I went on to college to study my national diploma in sport, also playing for the college football academy. I then decided to move to Scotland to live with my grandparents for a few months and was playing non-league football for the town's first team. Since moving back down to Rotherham, getting a job in sales was ideal as one side of my family is in sales and I’ve had an interest in it since I was young.

Favourite place to be

On holiday somewhere hot

Who is your hero

My Grandad & Jo

What song would be the theme tune to your life

The Killers, Mr Brightside

Background

I worked for Rotherham Council completing a level 2 apprenticeship in business and administration in 2008 / 09.  I then moved on to work for a children's charity called Action for Children completing a VQ in Employability and Personal Development in 2010.  I then moved on to do my level 3 telesales course with Optimas Training towards the end of 2010.

Worst job you've ever done

Work experience whilst at school!!  BORING!!!

Favourite place to be

Bed

Who is your hero

My Nannan

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Uncle Cracker - Follow Me

Background

After business school :- sales background – b2b with global soft drinks, technology and express logistics firms and b2c with utility, insurance and mobile phone companies

Worst job you've ever had

Amusement Arcade Attendant  –  Why?  12 hour shifts = tired flat feet!

Favourite place to be

Runaway Bay, Jamaica

Who is your hero

Ali aka Cassius Clay - "The greatest of all time"

What song would be the theme tune to your life

The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix

Background

Director of Business Development at Lincoln College up to 2007. Before that Principal Lecturer at Humberside Polytechnic.

Worst job you've ever done

Loading lorries with sides of meat

Favourite place to be

Rome

Who is your hero

Giacomo Puccini

What song would be the theme tune to your life

E lucevan le stelle

Background

Previously I was studying at university towards a degree in business studies and working at Primark.

Worst job you've ever done

Selling cosmetics in Sheffield train station

Favourite place to be

Bed

Who is your hero

Keith Lemon

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Sexual Healing

Background

I have worked in education for over 20 years and became an assessor when the school I was working at formed a partnership with the local college. I love being an assessor and love through being an Internal Verifier helping and supporting my colleagues

Worst job you've ever done

Half a day in a restaurant - I didn’t make the whole shift!!!

Favourite place to be

Florida

Who is your hero

My Dad - he’s one in a million

What song would be the theme tune to your life

“Livin on a Prayer”  Bon Jovi

Background

My working life began as a YTS at Comet many moons ago – I have since worked in sales, Healthcare, IT, Recruitment and Radio.

Worst job you've ever done

First job was a Saturday job chipping potatoes and making fishcakes for the privilege of £15 and smelling of fish for the rest of the day!

Favourite place to be

At Home with Girlfriend Sam and Ruby the dog!

Who is your hero

Bill Hicks – True Genius and my Mum and Dad for being there!

What song would be the theme tune to your life

Phenomenon  - LL Cool J

Background

I left school at 16 and enrolled on a health and safety course for 2 years at Dearne Valley College which I completed in 2004.  I then started an apprenticeship course for Business Administration NVQ Level 2 & 3 with the company I worked for. Once completed I was given the opportunity to work in the accounts department for QED Consulting where they put me through my AAT Level 3 Intermediate and Level 4 Technician which I completed last year.  After working there for six years the company went into administration which led me on to my new job with Optimas Training.

Worst job you've ever done

Chambermaid for an hotel in Barnsley

Favourite place to be

Chilling on the sofa at home

Who is your hero

My Granddad

What song would be the theme tune to your life

It’s my life – Bon Jovi

Background

Worked in retail at Quiz and New Look stores. Went to college and completed an NVQ in business administration.

Worst job you've ever done

I've never had a bad job

Favourite place to be

Turkey

Who is your hero

Keith Lemon

What song would be the theme tune to your life

David Guetta ‘Little Bad Girl’