(Pictured: Edna Armstrong, Senior Bid Manager.)
What’s your name and role & when did you start at Mount Charles?
Edna Armstrong, Senior Bid Manager. I started in Mount Charles in January 2021, starting a new job remotely during lockdown was strange to say the least but the support I got from Gavin was incredible.
What was your first ever job & what did it entail?
My first ever job was working with my Dad on his milk round when people wanted fresh milk on their doorsteps in the morning. It meant getting up at 4am every morning and made me appreciate how magical early mornings are before the world woke up. Another upside was I finished work at lunchtime so had every afternoon free. It also meant early nights – a habit I still maintain to this day!
What’s a work related accomplishment you’re proud of?
Working in Bid Production means every bid won is a huge accomplishment in a highly competitive environment. Two recent stand outs for me have to be MC winning Tesco and Radius. It was great to be part of that team.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Family is very precious to me so spending time with my husband and two children is my priority. We all love the outdoors so walking features heavily in our leisure activities. We are also very lucky to have a holiday home in Fermanagh where we have a boat so we spend a lot of weekends on the waters of Lough Erne. I also love to cook so evenings and weekends are normally about good food and long walks. In normal times I also love to travel and my husband and I normally would have two or three city breaks a year. Something I have missed in the last year or so but we will make up for it in 2022.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing in Mount Charles?
Being an integral part of #TeamMC and positively contributing to company growth and sustainability.
Dog or Cat person?
Definitely a crazy cat woman – I currently have 2 cats who I adore and spoil rotten.
What’s been your biggest influence to date in your career?
Has to be my parents. They had an incredible work ethic which they instilled in all their children. They also taught me to always do right by others and simply treat others as I would like to be treated. They achieved a lot in their own careers so were great role models for pure honest hard work and were evidence that with the right attitude and effort we can achieve great things without compromising on integrity and core values.
Where’s your favourite place and why?
Fermanagh where I grew up – It is the most beautiful, relaxing place even when it rains! I believe Lough Erne has magical calming powers!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stay true to yourself and do the right thing! Also don’t sweat the small stuff…
(Pictured: Stacey McAlister, Head of Operations)
What’s your name and role & when did you start at Mount Charles?
Stacey McAlister – Head of Operations, 3rd May. (The Newbie)
What was your first ever job & what did it entail?
I brushed up the floors in a hairdressers on a Saturday when I was 11 for 50p an hour. Definitely illegal! Then moved to working in a gift shop from I was 12 for £1 an hour for 2 hours after school and a Saturday. I worked 40 hours per week during the summer for £1 and hour. I left her when I was 16 and still was only getting £1 an hour (not that I am bitter about it).
What’s a work related accomplishment your very proud of?
In a previous role the company was mainly considered to be a cleaning company and within 6 years I was able to help the growth of the catering business to become a recognised brand within Northern Ireland. Something that I am looking to emulate at Mount Charles.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to walk and cook. I need to walk after all of the food! I am currently walking as much as possible as I am doing the mighty hikes marathon for MacMillan Cancer on 24th June. I am doing this with my mum and we currently have £900 raised, if anyone would like to donate.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing in Mount Charles?
The sky is the limit! I want to grow the cleaning business within Northern Ireland and Ireland. Mount Charles is known for being a world class catering provider with a really strong catering brand and I want this to be the same for the cleaning sector of the business with strong people and strong client relationships.
Dog or Cat person?
Definitely a dog! He’s the child of the house. Photo attached just to see how cute he is.
What’s been your biggest influence to date in your career?
What or Who? Probably returning to Northern Ireland in 2011 where I got involved in Facilities Management and the cleaning industry. I realised I loved the operational side of the business and wanted to try and give the best possible customer service to clients as well as the employees on the ground getting the equipment and recognition they needed and deserved. Jonathan Mallon has also been a huge influence as I found that he was the first manager I had who give the autonomy to managers that was needed to achieve the best possible results
Where’s your favourite place and why?
Cuba. I just love the vibrancy of Havana and how laid back the whole country is. The beaches are unbelievable and the water so warm and crystal clear.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Try to relax and not worry about the small stuff and things you can’t control. Everything works out the way it’s supposed to.
What’s your name and role & when did you start at Mount Charles?
Jonathan Mallon, Chief Operating Officer, I started in March 21.
What was your first ever job & what did it entail?
My first job was delivering Fizzy lemonade for the Maine Lemonade Company.
What’s a work related accomplishment your very proud of?
I am very proud of achieving global success in sales and improving business operations and working opportunities for all staff.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I play golf badly and enjoy the garden.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing in Mount Charles?
To deliver a great service to our clients, have a good team working for Mount Charles and growing the business.
Dog or Cat person?
I have 2 Cats and 2 Dogs and a Love Bird.
What’s been your biggest influence to date in your career?
I completed a 1 year in house course Facilitating Futures working with 11 others from all over the world and learnt so much about developing and motivating teams.
Where’s your favourite place and why?
I lived in the Isle of Man for a few years and found it a very relaxing and beautiful island.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Slow down and let others take responsibility for their own areas.