Welcome to our monthly series Meet the Team, where we spotlight the extraordinary people that make Bayley & Sage so special. This month’s feature is on Andrew, our new Head of Retail Operations! Read the full interview below.
1. How long have you been working at Bayley & Sage and what different roles have you held within the company? What is your role now?
I’ve been working at Bayley & Sage for just over 1 month now as our Head of Retail Operations.
2. What’s your favourite thing about working at Bayley & Sage?
I’ve loved how friendly and welcoming the people here have been. There’s a fantastic passion and energy from everyone across the business.
3. Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your career?
My parents have always inspired me to work hard and put my all into everything I do. They have a saying “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well”.
4. Have you always worked in this industry? If not, what other types of roles have you held?
I’ve always worked in the food retail industry. I started as a Store Assistant at Waitrose while I was at university. My first full time job was at Marks & Spencer as a Store Manager where I completed the retail graduate scheme. I was there for five years, running stores around central London such as Knightsbridge, Green Park and Earls Court. I also opened the new concept store just down the road from the Bayley & Sage Northcote Road store. I then joined Aldi as an Area Manager and was there for five years, mainly working around Northwest London
5. What’s the best advice you could give someone who’s just starting out in their career?
Don’t be afraid to take risks and fail sometimes. Often you learn the most when things don’t go as planned! It’s about how you react and improve going forward.
6. What are some of the accomplishments you’re most proud of?
I did half my wedding speech in Hindi (my wife is from Mumbai) which was nerve wracking! I also performed at the Royal Albert Hall- the school choir were invited but were one short, so I volunteered! (I can’t sing).
7. What are you most looking forward to this year, both personally and professionally?
Professionally I’m very excited to work with the amazing teams here and to help make Bayley & Sage as successful as possible! Personally, I am excited to be going to Tanzania and going on a safari in the Serengeti which has always been on my bucket list.
8. If you had to pick one item from B&S, what would you choose?
I would choose the chicken caesar wrap. It’s what I’m having for lunch most days!
9. How do you spend your time when you’re not at Bayley & Sage?
I spend a lot of time going to try out different restaurants around London with my wife Nish. We love to travel; our favourite holiday destination so far was Bali. I also love sport, I support Liverpool and used to play 11-a-side before I injured my knee. I still like playing tennis and badminton.
10. What’s one interesting fact that we might not know about you?
I was interviewed by the BBC during the England vs. Spain Euros final and ended up being on a 3-minute news segment because every time I was interviewed Spain scored!