Spotlight Feature
Helen Gordon
Don't wait for things to happen, make them happen. Believe and you will succeed.
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Tell Us About
Yourself
I'm Helen Jane Gordon
Age: 32
Occupation: Tax Consultant
Professional/Sector Specialism: Specialist Tax Consulting
Company: Woodshires
Which inspirational quote describes you best?
Follow your heart! This comes from my mum and I always seem to follow this not only in my work life but also my personal. If it feels right I tend to go with it, your feelings are never far wrong and if they ever are then its a mistake to be learnt from.
What part of the Midlands do you call home?
I'm a Black country girl born in West Bromwich, I did live in Derbyshire for 9 years from 2004-2013
Tell us about your interests and hobbies.
I love spending time with my friends,we are often out for meals especially curries and drinks, also concerts and weekends away.
I love theme parks and quad biking anything that gets your pulse racing as I'm a huge adrenaline junkie. I'm also a fan of zumba and karaoke.
What makes you ‘unique’?
When I go networking, people often say "there is no forgetting you" and I'm told it's my bubbly personality, infectious smile and laugh. I'm very passionate about my job and that comes across to anyone I speak to.
What has been a career highlight for you so far?
Joining Woodshires the back end of 2017 was the highlight of my year being part of this amazing team and feeling like I am going in the right direction in my career Paul and Stuart Wood are great mentors and are spending a lot time and money on nurturing me and ensuring my progression within Woodshires.
Tell us a little bit about your personal and career journey.
I started work aged 15 working Saturdays on a fruit and veg store on Great Bridge market even from that age I was learning great people skills.
When I left school I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do so I got a job at a Dunelm Mill store. Then I went to work at Pizza Hut at 17 and loved it, this was such a fun job and of course I was able to eat lots of pizza! This job was fast paced and very customer focused, so Ii learnt how to manage customer expectations and sometimes the odd complaint too.
At 19, I started working for Keltruck Scania as a PA and switchboard operator. I was also in charge of the diary booking meetings and visitors as well as allocating parking bays to the truck drivers and many other admin duties.
I think this is the point in my career I started to realise that I'd had enough of retail and catering. I actually quite liked being office based and having lots of responsibility.
I left here after 2 years and moved to Solihull where I landed a position at a large logistics company based at JLR (NYK Logistics). I had many roles here, as I started out in payroll and admin, working on many software systems dealing with data input, staff holidays and general queries for up to 300+ staff. I then moved into accounts as a clerk and was mentored by a great woman who was head of the entire contracts Finance department. I began in purchase ledger eventually building my knowledge and experience to land my own set of accounts for the Aston Martin contract doing the weekly profit and loss reports KPIs and reporting to the Directors.
In 2013 my career changed direction as I had moved to Derbyshire to follow my heart and love! I started working a medium-sized family dental practice to which I resulted in me running the practice in every aspect, managing the staff, rota’s, office and reception. I eventually trained to become a dental nurse.
What are your career goals/aspirations?
I love my job and I have so much potential to grow, I see myself in a couple of years becoming sales director and looking after the new staff and training them using my skills I have been passed on from Stuart and Paul.
What challenges do you face on a daily basis?
I suppose the most challenging part some days is trying to fit all my meetings in especially if they are a little spread out area wise. No matter how you try and plan your diary you can always still end up with a mad day where nothing goes to plan, meetings run over and you're stuck in traffic to top it all off.
Can you tell us what is the most favourite aspect of your role?
My favourite aspect is not only working within an amazing team which is like a family, but also meeting the most amazing people and learning what they do. We work with such an array of clients and it's such a social job which I love. No day is ever the same.
What has been your greatest career milestone to date?
My greatest career milestone for me was signing my first client and smashing all my targets. I am proud to be doing things that weren't expected until about 3-4 months in my role.
Who has been your inspiration both personally and professionally?
My mum has always inspired me greatly and installed honesty and a good work ethic in me. I am a positive person and have a great outlook on life. My jobs have provided me with great experience in lots of areas. I've had some great managers over time that have encouraged, believed and brought out the very best in me especially Stuart and Paul.
What would you like to achieve in the future?
A Director position and be top of my game
What advice or tips of positivity would you like to share with others?
Work Hard! Don't wait for things to happen, make them happen. Believe and you will succeed.