Getting to know: Kathy Armitage

...Kathy is our Senior Recoveries Manager and she is responsible for leading Recoveries Managers and their respective teams.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I have been at Kindertons for 10 years. I started as a recoveries handler and I have progressed within the company to the position I am in now. Before KAM I was a hairdresser for 14 years.

Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?

Believe it or not, I just fancied a change. I have always wanted to work in an office. So with the help of my big sister I first started at Swift Prestige car hire / Helphire in Northwich. I then got offered a job at KAM and never looked back.

What's a typical day for you working at Kindertons?

Always start with a coffee then in my current role now its about measuring the performance of the previous day, that week or even that month dependent on where we are projecting to. Then it’s a plan about what our next steps are for the remainder. Making sure there is nothing outstanding and the important cogs of the department all know what they are doing, and they are in flight to getting where they need to be. If not what’s going to stop them and can I help.

What makes Kindertons different to other places that you’ve worked?

Kindertons has changed since I first started. It was a family run business and we were smaller. We weren’t a big CHO and we didn’t play into insurers as much as we do now. As we stand now, in the recoveries department we are a big player in the CHO world. We do have lots of fun, lots of parties but mainly lots of reward. A lot of people could lose sight of that but it’s one of the stand-alone facts of KAM.

In your opinion, what does good customer service look like?

A happy customer. I think a customer being happy with what we have done and the service we have provided to them is what shows this. The fact we get recommendations of the service we provide, and people want to work with us.

What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge for our customers over the next five years?

It would of course depend on who you class as our customers. This isn’t just the people we provide hire vehicles too. I think there has to be a nervousness around (dare I say it Brexit) and what this will bring to what we do daily.

If you didn’t do your current job, what would you do instead and why?

Well, naturally I think I would still do hairdressing. However, I’d be a really good millionaire if I won the lottery.

What could you give a 30-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

It would have to be Harry Potter.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Confront a fear. Something that holds you back, something that stops you from completing a task or a challenge. It doesn’t have to be a massive thing but if it plays a part into your day then own it.

What do you wish you could tell yourself 10 years ago? What do you think you’ll want to tell your current self 10 years from now?

Have more confidence in what I can do. Be brave in my decisions by following my own advice. In 10 years from now, id like to be able to say good job

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Be kind. In everything you do.