Vote 100
We’ve had an amazing response to our Vote 100 campaign so far so please keep your nominations coming in. Over the next few months we will continue to profile 100 female colleagues who embody our values and demonstrate how Royal Mail Group can be a fantastic place for women to excel.
This week, we profile delivery area support manager Valerie Emm from Southampton mail centre.
Natalie Frow, delivery lead West Midlands, said: ‘Last year, Val took on the role of executive assistant to two brand new delivery leads – Gary Gyde and I. Neither of us had ever worked in delivery before and so the huge learning curve we had, coupled with a significant organisational change and a raft of parallel programmes meant Val really had her work cut out.
‘She was amazing at ensuring both Gary and I were organised and prepared, teaching us both some of the basics of our own roles, making sure we didn’t miss anything important, and making some critical executive decisions to keep us on the straight and narrow.
‘During this period Val sadly lost her father, but that never waived her commitment and determination to ensure Gary and I were looked after to the absolute best of her ability. Not only does she do her role brilliantly, but she also constantly looks for ways to add value to our directorates.
‘Val is also a great mentor and role model to other women. She has supported and encouraged our wider admin teams to develop their own careers and the recent appointment of a postwoman to the role of admin manager West Midlands is a direct result of the coaching Val has done.
‘On a personal level, Val has been a vital part of helping me balance my own work/life challenges. Taking on this role has meant spending time away from my husband and children and so protecting time to support the work/life balance is hugely important for me. Val plays a vital part in this, incorporating these commitments into my schedule, protecting that time, and regularly liaising directly with my husband to ensure everyone knows who’s picking the children up! She really deserves to be recognised as an inspiration to other women in Royal Mail.’
Valerie said: ‘I have always strived to be the best I can be from when I started in the business 20 years ago hand stamping flats. From being a keyer, to progressing through to supporting the then lead delivery sector manager in the South Coast, and from there, to being an executive assistant to a delivery director.
‘There have been strong female role models all along my journey in Royal Mail and I’ve been extremely lucky to have worked with and for a number of them. I hope that by mentoring and supporting my colleagues it’s given them the confidence to take on tasks and roles they perhaps wouldn’t have done beforehand.
‘Together we can strive to make this business a shining example of diversity in the workplace and I hope that in my small way I can encourage everyone to contribute. I have been on a great journey with Royal Mail and I enjoy helping others start and continue theirs.’
Vote 100
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Our Vote 100 campaign is your chance to help us showcase the enormous contribution Royal Mail women make each and every day both to colleagues and customers, ensuring we remain the UK’s most trusted postal operator.
If there is someone in your workplace who you admire for their outstanding work ethic, their drive to improve their own and others’ skills, their knack for supporting or mentoring others, showing kindness, overcoming obstacles, or influencing positive behaviour – we want to hear from you!
Please send your name and contact details plus the name of the colleague you wish to nominate to either vote100@royalmail.com or Freepost VOTE 100. We will then be in touch to obtain further details.
