We speak to one of our newest recruits, Sarah. Sarah has worked and lived in Spain as well as working for National Trust. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
10 years ago, what did you think you would be doing now?
I was hoping to be living in Spain enjoying the sunshine, sampling tapas and a taking a few (well maybe a lot of) golf lessons. Martyn (hubby) and I had a holiday home 30 mins South of Alicante for about 18 years with a view of retiring out in Spain, however Brexit, grandchildren and a few other considerations drove us to making some different decisions so our home in Spain has been sold and we’re looking to move to another property locally now! Golf lessons are still on the cards!
What quote do you live your life by?
‘There’s always cake’. Things happen for a reason and if you know not why at the time, then eat cake!
What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
That’s a really hard question to answer but taking the essentials out of the mix like Hubster, family, friends, water, chocolate and love, I think I’d have to say music – I rediscovered my love for music in lockdown and bought a pair of airpods!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m rubbish at ‘keeping fit’ but I do like to walk, love to visit National Trust properties and places, cooking and socialising with friends, enjoy trying out new recipes especially gluten and dairy free due to allergy intolerances, listening and chatting on music streams.
What are you listening to/reading/watching at the moment?
Listening to – Mixcloud music streaming service, The Beat Forum (collaboration of DJs playing all sorts of genres) I particularly like Old School remixes, nu-disco, R & B, dance
Reading – I like to keep up with my Spanish language skills so pick up course books and read the Spanish dictionary from time to time – I know, a bit geeky perhaps, not as fluent as I used to be or want to be! Don’t really have much time to read really.
Watching – tend to watch Netflix mostly and will binge watch most series. Currently waiting for part 2 Season 4 of Ozark.
What’s your previous working experience?
After leaving business college, I had a couple of secretarial jobs before moving to Swindon to join a PVC raw material manufacturing company as a sales office manager, later being their sales rep for the South. I changed direction after getting married and joined a privately owned recruitment agency where I recruited for commercial and office roles and bought the company a few years later with two other directors after the owner retired. I sold my shares after about 10 years and went out on my own as a recruitment consultant working from Spain.
I came back to the UK and joined the National Trust head office in Swindon on a 2 week temporary assignment to ‘help out’ and stayed for 7 years!I started at NT initially as a Recruitment Business Partner for the South and then moved to a brand new role as a Supply Chain Manager for the Food and Beverage Team – that’s where my love of cake comes from and generally tasting recipes from development chefs! In between all of that, I went to Spain for 4 years across two separate sabbaticals. I returned from Spain just before Covid, looked after our youngest granddaughter who is now full time at pre-school and am now enjoying my new support role at Stimulus.
What’s your favourite thing about life at Stimulus?
The people – professional, welcoming, fun loving – a great bunch of teamies who are great drinking partners!
What are you excited about during the next year at Stimulus?
Continue learning my role, creating relationships with our partners and clients, and seeing how my contribution supports the team and company to be the best it can be.