Longest serving employees
What is it like to work at Rendall & Rittner?
We spoke to some of our longest-serving employees about their career progression, challenges they face, and biggest achievements.
Comments from:
Tracey Payne, Business Systems Specialist - TP
Ann Piper, Sales Ledger Supervisor - AP
How long have you worked at Rendall & Rittner?
TP – It will be 20 years on the 1st of March 2023.
AP – I’ve worked for Rendall & Rittner for just over 20 years.
Can you tell me more about you and your background?
TP – I grew up in a large family in the East End of London. I left school at 16 and started my first job two weeks later. I now live in Essex and have a teenage daughter.
AP – I’m married and have 4 grandchildren who are the bee’s knees. I come from a working-class background where working was the done thing. Go to school, learn, grow up, get a job, meet a guy and fall in love, get married, have children, wait for them to grow up and then go back to work. I’ve had so many jobs I’ve lost count.
What was your first job/ what did do before working at Rendall & Rittner?
TP – My first job was as an invoice clerk for the Co-op. I then spent 8 years working for the Metropolitan Police in the Fingerprint Branch at New Scotland Yard. Before I came to Rendall and Rittner, I was working as Womenswear Team Leader and then Operations Coordinator for House of Fraser.
AP – My first job was as an insurance clerk, which I found dull so I left. I then worked in the back office of a hotel, which is where I learnt to type. I’ve also worked in a bank, a warehouse, a supermarket and in various pubs. I became a Pub Landlady, which I absolutely loved but it didn’t pay well and the hours were crippling.
How has your career progressed at Rendall & Rittner?
TP – I started as a temp in February 2003 and was given a permanent position 4 weeks later. I have worked in a variety of roles on the Property Management teams, in the Accounts Department and generally across the business receiving several promotions during my employment. Over the last five years, I have led our e-communications initiative and I am currently the Business Systems Specialist for our customer portal.
AP – When I lived opposite Gun Court in Wapping, I was interviewed over the phone and was then asked to pop over to meet Matt Rittner who offered me a job as a Bought Ledger Clerk. I worked with Charlie Allum for a while, and he was the funniest and cleverest person I have ever worked with. When he retired, I continued on as a Bought Ledger Clerk by myself for a bit, but then decided that I fancied a change and moved departments to fulfil a support role. I then moved again, this time to work as a Sales Ledger Clerk. In this role, I have worked with some amazing people and have been given a supervisor position.
Who/ what inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
TP – My mum. She has a strong work ethic and has managed a successful career whilst raising her family. She puts 110% into whatever she does in life.
AP – I needed a job that would challenge me to use my brain and think on my feet. This job seemed to fit the bill and, after having a chat with Matt Rittner, I was convinced and am still here today.
What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?
TP – It’s a secret!
AP – I write short (very short, I might add) children’s stories. I look after my youngest grandson on Fridays, but once he starts school I might use that time to start writing again.
What skill do you think everyone should learn?
TP – Good communication skills – having these can produce great team work internally and elevate external customer service from satisfactory to excellent.
AP – I think everyone needs a sense of humour and has a need to cultivate patience.
What do you like most about working at Rendall & Rittner?
TP – There is a huge variety of training available and plenty of opportunity for personal growth and progression. Rendall & Rittner recognises that your life outside of work is important and try to be as flexible as possible to ensure a good work/home life balance. I worked part-time for more than 10 years while my daughter was growing up and I don’t feel it has affected my career at all.
AP – Without a doubt, my favourite thing is the teamwork and sense of camaraderie. No one should have to work alone and without support, and this company has that in abundance.
What are you most proud of in your career at Rendall & Rittner?
TP – I think so far it’s my current role as Business Systems Specialist. It’s a varied role that enables me to share my knowledge and experience with my colleagues to improve their understanding of business functions and systems. It’s a role where I feel valued.
AP – I’m most proud of my team! I have employed numerous staff for my team over the years, with most coming from totally different backgrounds and often with no experience of office procedures at all as some had worked in retail or warehouses before. I would always choose to employ based on gut feeling and not necessarily a piece of paper. That is the ethos that Duncan Rendall and Matt Rittner had when they started the company, and look where they are today.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone who has just started their career?
TP – Teamwork is key to success! Listen to and support your colleagues, share your experiences and knowledge. This will benefit you, your colleagues, and the business.
AP – My best advice is to have an enquiring mind, ask questions and if you don’t understand, ask again. It is also important to have a sense of humour.
What would you say are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced here?
TP – When I started working here there were around 30 employees. There are now more than 500. As the business continues to grow, we regularly review our processes and apply changes where there is a significant benefit to employees and customers. One of the biggest challenges I have found is helping my colleagues adapt to some of those changes. A particular challenge for me has been the implementation, communication and provision of support for our successful e:Communications initiative to the wider business.
AP – Every day is different, and challenges are a daily necessity. No one day is the same as the day before, but overall I would say that my biggest challenge is probably to get the right person in the right job and for them to do their utmost and feel satisfied that at the end of the day they feel good about themselves and that they’ve done their best.
