Rose Nicholl's career evolution

From the tranquil village of Chilthorne Domer, just outside Yeovil, Rose Nicholls’ career has been one of continuous evolution, marked by a willingness to embrace new challenges and a genuine curiosity about the world around her. 

Rose's early aspirations were rooted in the familiar. "When I was growing up, I thought I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps and work with children," she recalls. A brief work experience stint, however, revealed that childcare wasn't her true calling. She then pivoted to a hairdressing apprenticeship, marking her first step into a profession. 

But the financial realities of the beauty industry soon became apparent. "It reached a point where my partner and I were saving to move out, and I realised that this wasn't a sustainable career path for me," she admits. The search for a more stable career led her to Sodexo, where a temporary maternity leave cover in the admin team offered a fresh start. 

Though a far cry from the technical intricacies of facilities management, Rose's administrative role proved to be a valuable stepping stone. Her natural inquisitiveness quickly shone through. "If something is broken, I'm not content simply raising a ticket to get it fixed. I want to understand the root cause, the mechanics of it, and how it functions when it's not broken," she explains. This desire to understand the 'why' behind every task resonated with her colleagues and laid the foundation for her future growth. 

This openness to questions created a sense of belonging, allowing Rose to act on her curiosity and learn from those around her. 

Motherhood brought a renewed sense of purpose and ambition. "Returning to work after maternity leave prompted a reassessment of my priorities and aspirations," Rose shares. "I felt a strong desire to progress and pursue new challenges." 

This desire for growth led her to asset management, a field she discovered a surprising passion for. "I've developed a genuine enthusiasm for asset management, particularly the data analysis and meticulous checks involved," she reveals. 

Rose's manager, Adrian Clarke, played a pivotal role in her development. "He suggested I explore the asset management team, which sparked my interest in this area," she recounts. This encouragement, coupled with mentorship from Hannah Kerin, empowered Rose to pursue further training and qualifications, including an apprenticeship in developing management skills. 

"I was paired with a mentor in the Global Sodexo asset management team, Hannah Kerin, who has been instrumental in my development," Rose explains. "She provided invaluable support during my IAMS qualification." 

Rose's impact extends beyond her immediate responsibilities. Her proactive engagement with the SoTogether FM Network led to changes in the maternity leave policy, ensuring improved support for breastfeeding mothers returning to work. "I was able to highlight some challenges faced by mothers returning to work and advocate for changes to the maternity leave policy," she says.  

Rose is focused on her professional development, with a clear goal of leading Asset Management at her site. Beyond that, she's eager to discover and contribute to the wider opportunities within Sodexo. 

Her story is an inspiration, demonstrating that with passion, dedication and a willingness to embrace the unknown, one can truly create a fulfilling and impactful career.  

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