HELEN PRITCHARD is the sales and marketing director at Shropshire Homes. She has been with the independent house builder for six years.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? My role includes all things sales and marketing in the housing market, and successfully managing people.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN IMPACTED BY THE RECENT UNCERTAINTIES IN THE ECONOMY? It has been a little quieter than it usually would be, but as we are not a volume builder, any negative impact has been minimal to the business, and we are already seeing an increase in traffic.
HAS THE FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC CREATED ANY NEW OPPORTUNITIES? Absolutely, it has allowed us to evolve as a business, become more digital, diversify and move in a different direction with our sales and marketing experience and customer journey, making innovative changes with our website, sales centres and so on.
ARE YOU STILL MEETING ON ZOOM/TEAMS ETC, OR KEEN TO GET BACK TO FACE-TO-FACE NETWORKING? We are mainly face-to-face, but have the occasional Teams meetings with suppliers or business partners that we work with.
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Engaging, supportive, a good listener, who leads by example.
WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OR MILESTONES OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Becoming sales and marketing director is definitely the highlight of my career so far. Also, graduating with a distinction in my MBA.
PET HATES? People being late.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Always go with your gut instinct and don’t be swayed by others.
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? The gym and time with children and family.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE SHROPSHIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY? The sharing of information and how it does feel like a community; it takes the edge away from the business environment and it’s more relaxed and welcoming.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I’m scared of heights.
YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
I avoid books since my Masters degree so even if I had an option, I wouldn’t take one. The film would probably be Mamma Mia because I watch it so frequently with my daughter. The CD would be a Kings of Leon album.
FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? My dad, my granddad, Elton John, Kenny Dalglish and Jamie Dornan.
WHAT WOULD YOU COOK FOR THEM? Sunday lunch
AND FINALLY . . . WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HAS IN STORE FOR YOU, AND YOUR BUSINESS? Exciting times ahead, plenty of new developments and projects and lots of hard work!
