Vote 100

Her positive and progressive approach alongside her people and management skills are just some of the reasons why Leyburn delivery office manager, Lucy Trethowan, has been nominated for our Vote 100 campaign.

Team North: Collection hub manager Durham and Darlington, Gareth Lavender, said: ‘Lucy has been a fantastic positive influence on myself and others in our area, going above and beyond to improve morale and the business.

‘I was working as a deputy manager in the DH and DL sector when Lucy joined the region as delivery office manager at Leyburn delivery office. I was the cover manager the week before Lucy joined us and the office was struggling with high sick levels and very low morale.

‘When I handed over to Lucy she set about her task with professionalism, enthusiasm and vigour. She merged a very individual workforce into a team and over the next 12 months, the office became a pleasure to work in.

‘Lucy also helped the graduate colleagues we had who were feeling a little left out, one in particular who needed the support and buddying of a more experienced and confident person. Lucy took on the task without being prompted and ensured the newer graduate settled in and had a support plan in place. 

‘Lucy was then asked to leave Leyburn, which incidentally, is a 100 mile round trip from her home, to assist at Sunderland delivery office. She did this without question and helped in a massive team effort to transform a struggling office into a better place.

‘Lucy then moved closer to home and into the delivery office manager’s role at Coulby Newham. I have personally learned a lot from working for and alongside Lucy and I feel that her positive and progressive approach alongside her people and management skills ensure she stands out as a fantastic leader within the operation. She is a true leader and someone who inspires from the frontline.

‘Lucy never fails to support and encourage others. She is the future of Royal Mail - an inspiration to myself and others who are looking to progress their careers.’

‘Previously, I worked for the prison service for 11 years as a prison officer,’ said Lucy. ‘At the time, the service was under constant threat of privatisation and the POA (Prison Officer Association) had a very strong hold on its members, myself included! Being a woman working in a men’s prison you quickly learn how to persuade and influence people, and the importance of people skills. 

‘I joined Royal Mail in September 2015 on the operations graduate scheme. I was first attracted to the business because of its 500 year history, and the love the public has for the brand.

‘After my first placement at Tyneside mail centre I joined Birch Park delivery office in York. I absolutely loved the chaos of deliveries and felt like I had truly found my calling within the business. I had amazing support and guidance from my delivery office manager, Graham Pickering, and I was given the freedom to run my team, in my way, which I loved.

‘I was in a position where I could put my people skills to good use through recognition and engagement. I have always been a firm believer that colleagues who are happier in their jobs, go the extra mile for their team and the business. I try to create a fun environment to drive results and I feel rewarded when my team start to care about their own personal results like scanning performance, and where the team sits compared to the rest of the area.

‘In my interview for Leyburn I expressed to operations manager, Jamie Walton that if he wanted a conventional Royal Mail manager I wasn’t the person for the job. Luckily for me, he took the gamble!

‘When I first went to Leyburn it was a fragmented negative office that needed a little TLC. I couldn’t believe the lengths the postmen and women in Leyburn went to for their customers. They really are a part of the community in the town. All I did was recognise this, praise them and inform them of their performance. The Leyburn Legends were born, and the office went from strength to strength in all areas of performance. I am currently going through the same process with the “Coulby Crusaders” at Coulby Newham delivery office in Middlesbrough.

‘Royal Mail has given me great exposure to help develop as a leader and the freedom to do things my own way by talking to people, getting them on board, and having a good time at work.’

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 and your reasons for doing so, to vote100@royalmail.com. We will then be in touch to obtain further details.