Across The 55 Group we provide products and services that allow the world to evaluate, procure, manage and learn in a more sustainable way.
Across our group we have strong experience supporting many key sectors and industries at a variety of points in their project stages.
Explore each sector below to hear about our experiences and success stories and to find out how we can best help you.
Learn more about who we are and what’s important to us at The 55 Group
Within The 55 Group we pride ourselves on going the extra mile through innovation, charitable work and supporting the next generation. We believe in doing things better to do better things.
Date: 04/08/2020
Categories: Pagabo News
We’re all experiencing home-working in the new normal so it’s good to get tips from an expert who also happens to be our new Regional Relationship Manager for the North, Karen Carter. Read on to find out more about what Karen gets up to besides work and to see the latest Pagabo pooch!
Welcome Karen...
In my last two roles I was increasingly aware of Pagabo and its growing success - they are quite difficult to ignore really. When I spotted the advertised Regional Relationship Manger post, I contacted Simon Toplass and the role he described to me felt like a perfect fit.
It is an odd experience leaving one job and starting another. In my last role, I had a leaving do with my lovely ex-colleagues over Google Hangouts, which was a little strange. I’ve been able to spend a few days in the Pagabo office in my first week and, coupled with a lot of Microsoft Teams video calls, they have made sure I feel part of the team.
Understanding your clients and getting under the skin of their objectives and pressures to fully support them to achieve the best value for their requirements. While it’s always great for a client to have good projects to get stuck into when you first meet them, I see my role as building and maintaining longer, more strategic relationships which continue to deliver benefits for years to come.
I really developed a love for the construction industry and all it has to offer, being part of the first collaborative construction frameworks within the north east was a great experience and one which has put me in good stead in my career. I’ve worked in public sector procurement for over 10 years before dipping into the contractor side of bidding for the past 3 years.
Well I don’t want to push my luck too much too soon, but a helicopter would be greatly received! I’m based in Sunderland so everywhere within the north is accessible within a few hours, and with the vast majority of meetings still being carried out digitally, I’ll be over the moon to get out and about when I can.
I’ve been home-based for over three years now and really enjoy it, but it’s not always easy. I think you can quickly go stir crazy and miss the general chit-chat of an office and your work friends. I would say that making dedicated workspace is a definite. Keep in touch with your colleagues and make time to catch up with them even if it’s a 10-minute call.
Stop buying chocolate. The amount of Nutella I’ve gone through over the past few years is just ridiculous.
I prefer MS Teams. I think the messaging and call facilities on Teams is quick and easy to use. We tend to use Teams for internal meetings, but more often than not it seems to be Zoom for larger external calls.
I have two children (aged 8 and 9) so my hobbies seem to revolve around ferrying them back and forward to their hobbies. I obviously need to keep up to date with all the latest TikTok dances and Minecraft fads to have any credibility with the kids…it’s hard work!!!
I like circuit training, eating out with my other half and learning to speak Spanish.
Definitely. I live in a small village on the coast near Sunderland and for families there’s beach walking and rock pools to explore. We love walking down there with the kids and the pooch for an ice-cream, or to explore the rocks in our wellies. In addition, we’re close to beautiful woodland walks in the Durham and Northumberland countryside.
Welcome aboard Karen and best of luck in the new role.
Get to know Karen's region with our regional user guide:
Subscribe
Contact Us