person phone ABOUT US INSPIRATION FIND A STOCKIST CAREERS SUPPORT NEWS GET IN TOUCH NEWS POSTED ON 03/08/2021 IN BLOG BY ZEHRA GEZER CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY To celebrate International Women's Day, we're once again looking at some of the incredible roles women here at Whitemeadow hold, some of which you might not expect! Today we're talking to Whitemeadow's only female HGV Driver, Louise Price. What made you get into the role you currently work in? I started at Whitemeadow in 2014 after I decided I wanted a career change. I completed an aptitude test which resulted in recommending me as a Transport Clerk. Someone asked, ‘Would you not prefer to be a driver instead’? to which I answered, ‘yes actually I would!” I like the freedom this role offers me, being out on the road and talking to people is what I love doing. What was your background before you started at Whitemeadow? I studied catering at college and worked as a chef all my life until 2014! Were people surprised to see a female HGV Driver? Not at Whitemeadow, no. However, my fellow drivers at truck stops were! My first time on nights I remember all the male drivers taking a step back and being really shocked at seeing a woman pulling up! I even had to use a men’s toilet because there were no ladies’ facilities! What challenges did you face when you first started and how did you overcome them? For me it was all about learning the job because it was such a career change for me. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to move and get furniture off the back of a lorry safely! So, from a physical perspective that was quite challenging. But there were always people around to help and I’m not shy at asking for help when needed! What changes have you seen over your time here with regards to the workforce and attitudes towards women? I can say honestly that I’ve had a positive experience from the beginning, I’m treated really well. I feel my co-workers have always respected me and I have always felt accepted here. I have learned to stand my ground when I felt I needed to, and the customers treat me like a rock star! And there are toilets for women everywhere now which is good! What are your future aspirations regarding your team and your role here? I just want to continue as I am, I have no plans to move anywhere. I love my boss and my job, and I don’t want to do anything else. If more women wanted to do what I do then that’s great! What advice would you give to women and girls that would like to work in a male-dominated role? I would say don’t be scared to give it a go and that you need to have a positive attitude and be a ‘half full glass’ type of person. You never know what pleasures any day will bring! SHARE THIS ARTICLE: SIGN UP FOR A TRADE ACCOUNT SIGN UP CONTACT WHITEMEADOW Whitemeadow Furniture Limited Orchard Way, Calladine Business Park, Sutton In Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 1JU Tel: 01623 555 660 About Us Inspiration Find A Stockist Careers Support News Get in Touch 2021 © Whitemeadow Furniture. All rights reserved.