X-TEND Magazine issue 02 | Page 14

MEET THE CHLOE GARDNER Process driven, data mad Chloe has the hallmark qualities needed for her sales and admin management role. And when she’s not checking facts and figures, you’re likely to find her buried in a book, relishing the latest ‘who dunnit’ mystery... TEAM NAME: Chloe Gardner Position: Sales and Administration Manager STar sign: Cancer LIVES IN: Southam Drives a: Toyota Yaris Favourite food: Pancakes Favourite treat: Chocolate cake Love of her life: Husband Matt and 4 year old daughter Isabella How long have you been with Racoon? Four years now. Previous jobs in Racoon I joined the company as Business Support Executive before being promoted to Sales and Administration Manager. What did you do pre-Racoon? With a goal of working on cruise ships, I studied at catering college after school. By the time I completed my education, my ambitions had changed. I pursued a catering career on dry land. When I first met Claire, I worked for a contract catering company in Coventry, managing the catering facilities over three sites. However, following maternity leave, I took the opportunity to review my future goals and was delighted to hear of the job at Racoon. The company is really considerate at understanding people’s domestic needs, which means I can work school hours so I can drop off and collect my daughter. How do you get to and from work and when do you start and finish? As I live nearby in Southam it’s literally a seven-minute drive to work. 14 A typical working day sees me... Involved in every aspect of the business; I interface with all departments and support all functions, undertaking a lot of project work and responding to the needs of the business immediately. Each day is different, there isn’t really a routine as my work is an ever-changing feast. What I love about my job is... That it is challenging but in a very positive way; that and the people; Racoon employs a team of really lovely people. My most memorable experience at work was... My last day at work before I got married; the team had planned a surprise for me, a proper celebration with Champagne, beautiful gift, personalised card, the works. For lunch I usually eat... I love to cook, so I always ensure there is a bit extra for lunch the next day! The guilty snack in my desk drawers is... Hot chocolate caramel drinks and Twix biscuits. Hands off! Any particular passions or hobbies? Reading! I love a good mystery or thriller, John Grisham-type novels. I read both books and my Kindle, usually the Kindle in bed as it’s so much lighter! Where do you like to go on holiday? We like family holidays – everyone comes, mums, dads, nieces, nephews, kids, dogs... more often than not we hire a self-catering house in the UK, lovely. Describe a typical weekend Weekends are for family and friends...On Saturdays Isabella goes to a children’s club so that’s ‘our time’ when Matt and I go out together somewhere nice for breakfast. Your favourite hair extensions? Image-wise the bridal hair looks are my favourite but style-wise I like the more casual, carefree looks. I think extensions are brilliant as they really are so versatile, especially if someone wants a colour change as they can have it in an instant and no chemicals. And it’s reversible.