What initially attracted you to a career at Enterprise?

The career progression and promotion opportunities are what attracted me to Enterprise. In my previous six-year career in the hospitality industry, this was not the culture. I was excited to adapt and develop my management style in a new industry. Additionally, the diversity and equality culture embedded throughout Enterprise was a defining factor in my application.

Tell us a little bit about your career with Enterprise. How did you start and how did you get to where you are now?

I started as a Management Trainee and as I progressed through my training I became part of the committee for both the internal Women in Leadership and the LGBTQ+ communities. In these roles, I helped organise and run events and this gave me the opportunity to have an impact not just on a branch level but across the entire region. With my passion and drive to excel, I was able to complete my Management Training Folder within seven and a half months. I was then promoted to Assistant Manager of within ten months and I was recognised for my achievements and was nominated by Enterprise for the TargetJobs Rising Star Award.

Why do you enjoy working for Enterprise?

Enterprise continues to push and develop my skills and abilities on a daily basis. This is something I sought for many years. I believe that you get as much out of this company as you put in and the founding values that the company is built on, reflect those of my own personal values. I have been lucky enough to visit the European Head Office twice in the past twelve months where I was included in a focus group to help develop the recruitment process. This showed me that the company continually strives to be better for both their new and existing employees and their customers. I am excited to see where this journey will take me.

What has surprised you most about working at Enterprise?

I have been most surprised by the number of opportunities for both personal and professional growth.  There is extra-curricular engagement throughout the year from a diversity strand perspective, one such example is the Nationwide support of PRIDE events. I was surprised about how much they put back into their local communities. How much they support the individual as well as the employee.

When did you come out at work, early or late in your Enterprise career? Why is it important for you to be out at work?

On my first induction day, we were tasked to create a personal and professional 5-year plan – throughout the session, my colleagues and trainers made me comfortable enough for me to share my personal goals in relation to my partner. I didn’t fear anyone’s reaction and felt the company I had joined was accepting and supportive of this.

Do you have any LGBTQ role models at work?

I have worked with a number of LGBTQ employees particularly my Branch Manager, Dan, who is not only an exceptional leader who I look up to, but someone who I know understands me and if I ever needed to reach out to him I wouldn’t hesitate. Ashley Hever, the Director of Talent Acquisition and Chair of Enterpride, the internal LGBTQ network, has also had a brief but lasting impact on how I see my career progressing within the company. Ashley is what I aspire to be as a mentor to other individuals within Enterprise as I know I could give them what he has given me.

How does Enterprise support LGBTQ employees and allies?

I feel the ‘conversation’ is open, which is evident throughout the many events, newsletters, meetings and promotions. Enterprise are active in supporting the needs of employees through the various channels available.

Does Enterprise embody an inclusive work environment? What does that look, sound and feel like?

Enterprise doesn’t discriminate between race, culture, sexuality, age, etc. I would not have been able to progress as quickly and successfully as I have if this was not the case. Enterprise shows its inclusivity through its diverse workforce which reflects that of the embedded diversity strands. In order to best serve our customers, we understand that our colleagues need to reflect the communities that they serve. It is great to see that this diversity is replicated across all business levels.

What has it been like to work for Enterprise during the time of COVID-19?

My experience, as an employee who has worked throughout the pandemic, is that we have adapted in any way we can to adapt to our employe and customers needs. At times we have gone above and beyond to ensure both customers and employees feel safe and comfortable. If anything, during this time the conversation has been more open, as Enterprise has endeavoured to support the needs of each employee, for example clarifying the new health and safety measures and support for mental wellbeing.

How have your perceptions of Enterprise changed since COVID-19?

My original perceptions have been reinforced during this time. During what has been a difficult situation globally Enterprise has rebuilt and restructured to ensure that we are set up for success and still reflect the founding values that we had prior to the pandemic.

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