Head of Stakeholder and Community, London Northwestern Railway
Vicky started her career on the railway as a receptionist & PA, she worked her way up to Head of Stakeholder and Community at London Northwestern Railway and became part of the WiCR Steering Group which created WiCR’s Code of Conduct that has been recognised and adopted by DfT, Network Rail and many other CRP and station adoption groups.
We asked Vicky…..
What is the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredibly inspiring people on the railway. They’ve all taught me something different and I’ve been able to take something from them, which is why I am where I am today, doing a job which offers so much variety and progression. Growing up my mum and dad ran a family pub, restaurant and hotel, it’s a very tough industry and living on site meant that they were both up at the crack of dawn cooking breakfast for the hotel guests and late to bed after they’d locked up. So, I didn’t get to see much of them because they were always working, and it was hard for them to separate work and home life. What I did learn from them was the importance of putting your all into everything and in the end hard work does pay off…and if it doesn’t the pub is the best place to drown your sorrows!!
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
In 2017 I left London, where I had been living for the past 15 years and started a new life back in Cheshire. At the time it was a gut wrenching decision, not only was I leaving a city I had called home for half my life but I absolutely loved my job and I was also surrounded by the dearest friends any girl could want. It was the uncertainty of starting a new job in a company that I didn’t know much about, moving back home where I wasn’t in contact with any of my childhood friends and living with my parents again after such a long time of independence and freedom which made the decision very daunting and pretty scary. But looking back, it was probably the best decision I have ever made, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t made that leap of faith.
What motivates you to get up and start work on a bad day?
Good question and this one really got me thinking as I’m a more optimist type of person and don’t struggle getting out of bed and starting the day in a positive way. In this job every day is different, so the variety of projects and people really keep me going. If I have had a bad day, I find it hard to focus on other things, hide it from colleagues and I will usually bring it home with me. Having a husband who has no interest in the industry is a real bonus as I can talk things through with him, which helps and gives me a different perspective on the matter.
What is your personal heaven?
A day at the spa – dressed in a fluffy robe, eating strawberries or chocolate with a glass of fizz, wandering from the swimming pool, to the sauna, to the steam room and being treated to a treatment. Pure bliss.
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