e on board at Go-Ahead London
ome... u CHARLES NEWITT Assistant Operating Manager Camberwell CHARLES, the new assistant operating manager at Camberwell, has progressed from having an outside interest in buses to getting inside the bus industry. Before joining Go-Ahead London in July, Charles worked for advertising company Exterion Media, where his job included arranging for advertising posters to be placed on bus exteriors. Charles’s first priority in his new role is getting to know the staff and building good relationships. He is keen to work with everyone at the garage to reduce customer complaints and improve performance via TfL’s mystery traveller surveys. “I will be going through the surveys with the people involved to analyse the good and the bad and look at what we could do better,” said Charles. “I have found my colleagues incredibly friendly and welcoming,” he said, “so my first impressions of the company have been really good.”
u JOSHUA BURKMAR Trainee Management Accountant Merton Head Office JOSHUA studied economics at the University of Portsmouth before joining Go-Ahead London in April this year as a risk assistant temp. In July he took up a permanent role in the finance department. He will assist in providing accurate financial and statistical information. “Everyone has been really welcoming,” said Joshua. “And I am learning a lot.”
u SABINA FAREED Assistant Management Accountant Merton Head Office UNLIKE some of us, Sabina has no problem making sense of figures. Her role includes preparing period-end accounts and processing employee expense claims. Before joining the company in April, she was a management accountant with an energy company. “Very friendly with a nice atmosphere,” sums up Sabina’s impressions of her new workplace.
Charles’s passion outside work is playing rugby with London Wasps’ amateur team. “We use the same training ground as the professional Wasps players, so the facilities are very good. I used to play football and cricket too, but now I’m concentrating on rugby as it’s something I really enjoy.”
u SERENA PARLANTI Communications Assistant and Receptionist Merton Head Office SERENA divides her time between the communications department and reception, where she meets and greets visitors. Her role also includes dealing with customer complaints, answering phone calls and sorting the post. “It’s very different to my last job,” said Serena. “I previously worked for a veterinary surgery in North Cheam. I’m enjoying learning the ropes, though, as everyone has been lovely and very helpful.”
u CLARE ARNOLD Accounts Payable Assistant Merton Head Office
u WILLIAM WATSON Schedule Compiler Merton Head Office
Buses have replaced cars in Clare’s working life – she previously did the same job at a BMW and Mini dealership. Clare's job is to make sure our suppliers are paid on time. “This is a massive company compared to my last job,” said Clare. “Everyone is very busy and they’ve all got their heads down – but it’s been good.”
THIS is William’s first full-time job, having joined the company straight after doing his A-levels. His role involves compiling timetables and monitoring performance targets. If necessary, he revises running times to improve punctuality. “It’s a really close-knit company,” said William. “I’m really enjoying it here.”
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