Interim spotlight: Pat Riley, Evercreech
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Pat Riley, second row from front, celebrates her EuroMillions win with colleagues and a champagne shower |
Pat Riley worked as an interim for four years before taking a permanent job to enable her to get a mortgage and buy a house. In 2007 she won over £200,000 on the EuroMillions. It took her colleagues three phonecalls to persuade her it wasn't a joke. She paid off the mortgage and became an interim again.
Your company: Uniq, Evercreech
Your job title: Operations Manager
Your main responsibilities: I look after the process chillers, rice room and the glass production room.
Your start date: I started in March for three months
I like the interim life because: I love the fact that it’s a constant challenge - you never get stuck in a rut because you don’t know where you’re going to be. You take knowledge to each job and always learn new skills. It can be daunting, especially because there aren’t many female interims in production, but I love getting out there and meeting new people.
The greatest challenge in this role is: I’ve been brought in to introduce new systems. There are staff there with a lot of experience so it can be a challenge proving to them why there needs to a change. As I’m only here for three months I won’t get to see the new systems come to fruition, but it’s more important to me to know what I’ve put in place will work long into the future. I approach each role as if I’m going to be there forever.
The person/brand/company I most admire is: The person is Rory Gilbert who has been my boss in three different roles. I’ve learnt more from him than from anyone else.
The company is Asda. I was amazed when I found out how high their standards are and how much they demand from their suppliers. Because it’s at cheaper end of the supermarket chain you expect lower quality but I feel happier shopping there than anywhere else.
My best ever job was: An 18 month post at Uniq, in Minsterley, Shropshire. They were relocating to a new factory which presented new challenges every day. I also fell in love with the area.
And my worst ever was: My first job out of university where I handed out wheelchairs and artificial limbs at Addenbrookes Hospital.
When I'm not at work, I like to: Spend time with my god daughter, Zara, and my niece, Annabelle, who are both five years old.
I think my best achievement is (either in or outside of work): Being able to help my brother get a mortgage - it was the best feeling in the world.
In ten years time I'd like to be: Working as an interim for six months and sunning myself for the rest of the year! People say that if you win under £1 million it doesn't actually change your life. But for me, being able to pay off my mortgage has given me all the freedom I need.
