Our Colleagues
Over the course of Black History Month, to coincide with our theme Inspire with Purpose, we will be highlighting some of the inspirational Black colleagues at Mitie.
Jason Wood, CSM, Lloyds account
How did you start your career and how have you progressed to where you are today?
I originally started my career in IT then fell into front end web design & touch screen design. After some 12+ years, of working in IT, I took a leap of faith & got a job in Town & Country Planning enforcement with Liverpool City Council. It was my responsibility to make sure developers & individual adhered to the conditions of their planning permission & to make that businesses & individuals didn't breach the Town and Country Planning Act.
I was also responsible for the negation between developers & the planning in authority in Section 106's (a legal agreement between an applicant seeking planning permission and the local planning authority). After 6 years, in Town & Country Planning, I took another leap of faith & started contracting. This led me to doing a lot of work for the Radisson Group. After 5 years of contracting I was offered the position of Operations Manager at the University of Manchester's Innovation Centre (UMIC). A large science & biotech tech facility that housed several international companies that specialised in everything from solar to stem cell research. In 2019 I applied to Mitie for the position of CSM for the Lloyds account - the rest they say is history!
When you look for inspiration, who/what do you turn to and why?
If I need inspiration in work I'll speak to my FM colleagues & line manager (Lou Rowlands). Team North are a small team but there is a real sense of pride in us succeeding as an entire team rather than individuals. it's rewarding to know that we have a very supportive line manager who will always check in on us to see how we are & fight our corner if needed.
Have you found your Purpose?
Surround myself with like minded individuals, take on board criticism, invest in knowledge to better myself, support & give back to others.
Hollie Williams-Hill, Account Manager, Document Management
How did you start your career and how have you progressed to where you are today?
I joined MDM in December 2013 as an Operations Assistant, assisting Operation Manager’s with paperwork, procedures and finance. After working on various mobilisations, I realised that I wanted to work onsite rather than Head office. So I moved into another role, Administrator and Business Support at a large London Law firm and was taken under the wing of the Operations Manager for the contract. She taught me various onsite skills which prepared me for her maternity absence.
When a vacancy came up for an Account Manager, it made logical sense to take what I had learned and manage my own account. I have now worked within Account Management for 4 years, during that time I have managed 3 contracts in different sectors. Law, Financial and Architectural. I have been quite lucky, as I have received so much support from my colleagues and Management in MDM it made my transition into Management easy.
When you look for inspiration, who/what do you turn to and why?
Very simply, my Mum. As a strong black woman who raised me and my sisters whilst juggling a career, she has inspired me to always strive to better myself.
Have you found your Purpose?
Who knows what the future holds! I enjoy my job and love to develop new relationships, as well as people management. The next logical step for me would be to manage a larger contract or move into an Operations Management role.
Syreeta Stephenson, National Account Manager, Vodafone
How did you start your career and how have you progressed to where you are today?
I started in the world of FM many years ago at the age of 20 while studying. I was an agency part time receptionist for Severn Trent Water. A couple of years down the line I was offered a 12 month permanent and full time role that I decided to accept as I started to take an interest in FM. It wasn't long after that, the Property Director, approached me with an opportunity to work directly with him which I did for some time as his Project Support, for the Severn Trent Centre, in Coventry. While this was happening, Severn Trent Water were outsourcing areas of the Property team, and I then Tupe'd into Mitie. 10 years later, here I am. I have used different roles, contracts and varied experiences to support my development over the years.
When you look for inspiration, who/what do you turn to and why?
Victoria Gilmour and Debra Ward, who are no longer with the business, but were great mentors for me on my development journey. Two individuals that I really looked up to, that supported my growth and invested in me. I would say now, Stephanie McGrory, Head of FM for Vodafone has been a massive Champion of mine and has supported me over the past couple of years.
Have you found your Purpose?
Yes
Mohammad Hassan, Account Manager, Technical Services
Finalist in the 2020 Young Leader of the Year Awards and Co-Chair of CHORD, our Race and Ethnicity Network.
How did you start your career and how have you progressed to where you are today?
After graduating from University in Mechanical Engineering (BEng) and Engineering Management (MSc) I worked abroad in roles in Energy policy formulation and Quality assurance in a manufacturing plant. I've always had a passion for the built environment. I started my FM journey in 2016 on Mitie's Graduate Scheme, I was one of six chosen from over 300 applicants. I completed placements within our Security, Engineering, Integrated Accounts, Catering and Document Management divisions, building my confidence and skills as I saw opportunities to add to value and grow.
After the graduate scheme I secured a role as a Regional Asset Manager on the RWE-Npower contract managing a team of four mobile engineers across a portfolio of eight buildings. I was in this role for 18 months before securing my current role as an Account Manager for Allianz, leading a 24 hour team of 38 people.
When you look for inspiration, who/what do you turn to and why?
In my personal life I'm fortunate to have fantastic inspiration from my father, he came to the UK as a medical Doctor and continues to work for our NHS. It wasn't easy for him in the beginning, he faced overt hostility both in the workplace and in wider society. Through his actions he's shown me the importance of being steadfast in your mission and to always believe in your ability.
From a sporting perspective, my inspiration always has been Thierry Henry. One word – hero!
Have you found your Purpose/Career/Goal and do you know what you need to do to achieve it?
Yes I genuinely feel I have found my calling as a leader in the FM industry.