Who you are, how long have you worked at Leonardo and what you do?
I’m Lauren and I’ve worked at Leonardo since 2014, so in Leonardo terms I’m a relatively new starter – a lot of our people have been with the company for many more years. I work within the people function and have done so throughout my time here, currently supporting project management, planning and engineering for our Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems (RATS) line of business.
Where did you join from and what attracted you to Leonardo?
I joined straight from university where I studied Management and Business. Although I’d had part-time jobs in the past, Leonardo is my first full-time role. I visited the Basildon site on a school trip whilst studying for my A-Levels and was really excited by all the different projects and products which the company designs and manufactures. So when I saw there were opportunities to join, I jumped at the chance. I joined as an industrial placement after I’d graduated and then went on to join the graduate programme a couple of years later.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that I work with a really supportive team that allows me to bring my whole self to work. They are sympathetic and there are no judgements when someone is having a bad day.
What do you enjoy about working at Leonardo?
My manager trusts me to get on with my job which has made the transition to Custom Working an easy one. I get to work flexibly, both location and hours, meeting the demands of the business but also spending time with family and friends that a traditional 9 to 5 role may not always give me. As Basildon isn’t anywhere near the Edinburgh site (which is the home of our RATS line of business), Custom Working has enabled me to broaden my business awareness without the need for relocation.
What advice you would give someone considering joining Leonardo?
I would definitely recommend following us on social media; it gives you a real insight into Leonardo and its people. I tend to keep up-to-date via Instagram.
Why you would recommend Leonardo as a place to work?
Leonardo has allowed me to put all the skills I learned at university into practice and really develop my career. They have also encouraged me to keep developing my skills and funded my professional qualification – an MA in Human Resource Management. I get to work with great people and no two days are ever the same.
