COVID-19
We are doing everything we can to ensure we have continuity of business, while heeding the very latest Government advice. We monitor this daily and adapt our procedures and messaging immediately to any changes that are required. We would like to express our sympathies to everyone who has been affected and continues to be affected by the COVID-19 virus.

We would also like to show our support to our teams and key workers who are working tirelessly across the country.

For more about how Willmott Dixon group are responding to the everyday changes of Covid-19 please click here.
-03 Mar. 2021

Willmott Dixon Interiors celebrates National Careers Week

National Careers Week is a great opportunity to showcase the types of careers available in the construction industry.

To celebrate National Careers Week, we caught up with two of our people to hear about their journey into construction and what their role involves.

Connie Robson Valaetis | Principal Sales & Marketing Manager


How did you get into construction?

“By pure accident! I was sick of managing retail stores and I wanted a career change. I wanted to stay in a customer service type role and my Dad suggested real estate. However, I ended up working for a new homes residential builder in one of their display homes in a new land estate (in Australia) and ended up selling new homes from standard or custom designs to people who were looking to build their own homes. In my mind, that was real estate; selling homes. But it isn’t. Selling off the plan is construction and that’s how I started off. Fast forward to now, living in UK and I’m working in the commercial fit out/refurb sector rather than residential sector.”

Why did you choose construction?

“Initially I loved working in new homes and with custom designs. You have so many options when tailoring your own home design to exactly how you want it. I dreamt of building my own home one day and that’s how I fell in love with construction. Now, working in commercial sector, I’m still fascinated with the psychology of designing a workplace to suit everyone’s needs and wants. There are so many different trends and every office fit out is different to the next. Every company/business has different office needs and works differently and so every project is different. It makes things interesting.”

What does your job involve on a day to day basis?

“Looking for new opportunities to bring into the business whether that be from new customers or existing ones. It’s all about relationships and building rapport. I am an ambassador for the business and always represent what we do in a positive way. I meet with customers, find out about new opportunities and assess whether they are a good fit for us. If so, then I express interest and ask to be included on the tender list. Meeting with customers often means getting to know them better over a coffee and inviting them to a site visit. I am also responsible for hosting our own customer events, attending industry conferences to learn about market trends and intel, attending industry awards ceremonies and attending networking events to meet new customers and industry peers. And let’s not forget about the admin side… lot’s of reporting! I often have to look at things holistically and make strategic decisions based on my market research.”

Allie Brown | Customer Liaison Manager


How did you get into construction?

“I come from a background working in Facilities Management; in my last role I managed a high profile Governmental flagship site in the heart of Westminster with Ministerial Offices, Senior Government officials and 2500 staff.  I was overall responsible for the management of all FM Services and building strong Customer relationships focussing on excellent communication, a strong commitment  to customer service and overall service excellence.  Purely by chance a colleague from Willmott Dixon Interiors gave me a call to see if I might be interested in a change in career as Willmott Dixon Interiors were advertising a Customer Service Role on a new Project due to start.  My skills were transferable and with my experience of Customer service they it might be something I would be interested in!  And I was! And here I am!”

 Why did you choose construction?

“I never in a million years even considered construction!  I didn’t know there were opportunities out there for people like me, and I am so pleased I was able to come away from Building Management and  to focus more on what I really enjoy – dealing with people!”

 What does your job involve on a day to day basis?

“No day is ever the same!  I am based on site and here to help manage our Customer, neighbouring parties and the public with any issue, query or situation they might throw at me!  This could be dealing with complaints of noise or dust, helping with access issues, liaising with our Supply Chain, sending out communications & newsletters and attending Customer meetings.”

 

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