Print IT Reseller - issue 52

01732 759725 34 WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY Sara Diggle, Head of Reseller Sales, Brother UK www.brother.co.uk October this year will mark 20 years since I left my position as a full-time mum, alongside some part-time retail work, to take up a role in Brother UK’s technical support department. Since then, I’ve progressed through marketing and commercial focused roles, into the position I hold now as Head of Reseller Sales. Here, I’m developing and implementing Brother UK’s reseller strategies with my excellent team of ten. Thinking back to when I started, I was so motivated to build a career, which pushed me to take all the chances to learn more about the business. Volunteering to be an internal auditor really helped me to get a head start, and the experience gave me an insight into how different departments operated. It also gave me opportunities to network with other colleagues, to build solid relationships and ultimately to show The number of working women in technology is significantly lower than most other UK work sectors. According to www.womenintech.co.uk, just 17 per cent of those working in technology in the UK are female. Here, PrintIT Reseller profiles some of the women with stellar careers in our industry Women in technology how committed I was to making a difference at Brother UK. My progression was recognised last year when I was honoured with a We are the City Rising Star in Sales 2017 award, something which I’m really proud of. But, I haven’t stopped taking chances to learn. It’s important for me to keep abreast of what is happening in the channel. So, getting away from my laptop to manage dealer groups or to meet with resellers at events is something I’m particularly keen on. As I’ve moved up through my career, I’ve been motivated by seeing how my colleagues develop and grow too. A priority of mine is to support my team to be the next generation of managers in the business. It’s also important to me that my team enjoy their jobs, have a healthy work life balance and that they have the opportunities that I had to learn. Out of hours, I love to go on holiday and must take six or seven short breaks a year. I’ve also been really into my fitness and nutrition lately, so I can often be found in the gym after work. I’ve lived in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, for most of my life and have two daughters, Natalie and Tania, who have moved into their own homes. My eldest is even getting married in May, which shows just how much has happened since resigning as full-time mum! What’s the best thing about your job? The people and culture at Brother UK are what I enjoy most about my job. The company invests heavily in employee learning and development. This in turn creates a fun place to work where staff are motivated and have the means to deliver the best service for our customers. What would make your life easier at work? Less traffic! I love how my job takes me all over the country to meet different people. But, busy roads sometimes delay me from doing what I enjoy most both in and out of work. Debbie Callaghan, Marketing Manager, RISO UK www.riso.co.uk I consider myself a self-motivated brand and marketing professional with extensive experience of working in international markets. My strong customer liaison skills, and experience at taking products to market through multiple sales channels using both traditional and electronic media, have meant that my roles have all had a business focus. These are ideal attributes for someone working in marketing at technology-focused companies. Whilst I wouldn’t say I am particularly a technology-minded person, innovative technology and how it can be used has always been a fascination for me and it has been a theme of my career thus far. I have previously worked for a number of companies, including a global leader in security systems, where innovation has been key. Unique products demand unique approaches, but being able to make them stand out, often in crowded marketplaces, is where my marketing skills come in. What’s the best thing about your job? And that’s one of the best things A priority of mine is to support my team to be the next generation of managers in the business Rob Wood continued...