We talk to two Team Members from Bradford and Llanelli who hit two decades this month
In January 2003, two Team Members started with the business in very different areas. We spoke to Bradford Delivery Driver Haley Smith and Pino D’Angeli, a Sales Advisor in Llanelli, to hear about their experiences of the past 20 years.
Tell us about your career journey so far:
Haley: I started working at GSF at the age of 29 and have gone through three big birthdays. I’ve always been a delivery driver at Bradford branch and have loved it.
Pino: I started in the Neath branch of GMF. I have covered the Assistant Manager role before but prefer to be a Sales Advisor as it suits me.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Haley: I enjoy being out on the road, going to different towns and meeting all the people at the garages. I know them all really well and it’s nice when they know you by name and you know theirs.
Pino: I enjoy talking directly with the mechanics. I get to learn from them, which helps me outside of work and even means I help the neighbours with their car issues every now and again.
What has been the biggest change over the past 20 years?
Haley: The biggest change for me was joining with the other Bradford branch last year, but it’s been really good.
Pino: I started when we were a small set-up and now we’re a big ocean of a company. There’re more competitors now, which makes the job more of a challenge, but we give it our best shot.
Any good stories from your time?
Haley: Not a story, but the good thing from my time with the company is that I’ve made friends who have come and gone. Some have left a print on my heart and most of them are family now as we’ve worked together for ages and I hope we continue to do so for a very long time to come.
Pino: I work with a good crew so we have a good time at work, although they always make me make the tea. I think finding the kettle needs to be added to my job description!
Any advice for people just starting out their career in the industry?
Haley: If I was just starting to work at GSF now I’d carry on the way I did and make friends who are now my work family, but I would try and learn how to do other jobs in the branch as well as driving.
Pino: All I’d say is that it’s a good profession to be in, there will always be jobs as long as there are cars on the road, so just enjoy the trade.
