MEET THE FLORENCE ROBY TEAM: KAREN
Name: Karen Hesketh
Job title: Business development manager
How long have you been working with Florence Roby? Two years
Tell us a little bit about the job you do…
I look after existing customers, hunt down new ones and make regular appearances at hotels, spas, and colleges – essentially anywhere that needs uniforms and will have me. I've been working in the spa and hospitality sector for 20 years now, which means I know the industry inside out; it's a wonderfully friendly world to work in. I'd say I'm a people person; I genuinely enjoy getting out and meeting new faces.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There is no typical day, which is precisely why I love it. I could be out on the road visiting customers, working from home sending quotes or visiting a college with samples. The variety keeps things interesting and getting in front of customers and showcasing the product is my favourite part of my job.
What do you think sets Florence Roby apart from other uniform suppliers?
They’re a British, family-run brand. I have worked for both large international companies and smaller outfits, I can say with confidence that smaller wins every time. It allows me to think outside the box and do things my way rather than a via a procedure handbook.
What’s a skill you bring to the team that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m good at networking, I have good communication skills, I’m efficient and have good time management.
If you could switch jobs with anyone at the company for a day, who would it be and why?
Someone that does the designs of Florence Roby’s uniforms. The amount of thought that goes into every style, making sure it's comfortable, flattering and works across all different body types, is genuinely impressive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’d be useless at it, but design would be a nice skill to have!
Tell us something unusual working Florence Roby…
Their inclusivity when it comes to sizing and the fact they do maternity sizes as standard.
Florence Roby offers sizes six to 26 as standard and maternity sizing comes as a matter of course, not an afterthought. In an industry where inclusive sizing often means they'll reluctantly go up to a 16, this is quietly revolutionary. You'd be surprised how many uniform suppliers still treat anything above a size 16 as a specialist request. Florence Roby just calls it common sense.
What was your favourite thing to do as a child?
Ride horses, I have always loved horses and I still ride now. I have my own horse called Freya.
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know?
When I went part time, I decided to do something useful with the extra hours rather than simply accumulate more screen time!
I now volunteer at a local riding for the disabled group, which combines two things I love: horses and give something back to the community. Watching children light up around horses is something that never gets old. It's calm, it's therapeutic and it puts the rest of the working week into perspective.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to go back in time, so I could meet all my past relatives who aren’t with us any more
If Florence Roby had a mascot, what or who would it be and why?
It would be the Liver Bird on the top of the Liver building.
What would you sing at a karaoke night?
I wouldn’t because I would empty any pub; I have voice like a strangled cat.
Whats the weirdest thing on your desk right now?
A physio sheet for finger range of movement exercises as I badly broke my finger a few months ago.