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Top Advice
British Airways is a great employer to work for. The range and variety of roles available is huge and the options to get involved in many of them is available. Everybody has the same goal to ensure that our customers have a great experience and whether you are part of the front facing Cabin Crew or Check In Agents, or Engineers ensuring the aircraft is safe and reliable or Ramp and Turn Round Agents making sure flights depart on time, it is all part of what makes it run so smoothly. Even back office roles, such as Payroll, play an important part of this whole process.
Career path
Payroll Team Manager
British Airways
Started 05/2012 to PresentPayroll & Pensions Manager
London Borough of Hillingdon
From 09/1978 to 05/2012Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
Due to the numbers of colleagues on our payroll (over 35,000 in total across all payrolls) and the variety and complexity of the different roles that they do, we obviously have to have strict deadlines and processes in order to manage the different tasks that we have to undertake every week or month. However, we also have the freedom and flexibility to override these processes when the need arises in order to accommodate any changes of circumstance or individual requests that may crop up. It is this flexibility that allows us to help individual colleagues when they require one-to-one assistance with a specific issue and allows us to give as personal a service as possible.
Greatest achievements
Professionally, in my previously role in Local Government, I managed to obtain to nationally recognised Payroll Award for our organisation. One of the first London Boroughs to achieve it. At British Airways, I am very proud of my team who work extremely hard and are able to cope with everything that comes our way. Personally, I have done a solo parachute jump from 2,000 feet and abseiled off the top of Twickenham Rugby Stadium, both for charity. I have zip-wired across a slate mine in North Wales, very high and very fast. I have also been on Safari in Kenya back in the 1980s, when the wildlife was still wild!
Dan H
Top Advice
I always say to my students at school ‘never be afraid to fail’. It’s only through failure that we learn how to succeed. Not everyone who applies to BA is successful the first time around. That’s OK. Just don’t give up and make sure you learn what you need to do differently next time. BA Cabin Crew come from all walks of life and all ages. If it’s something you’re really interested in then go for it, even if you think it’s way out your comfort zone or unlike anything you’ve done previously. Remember: to most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
Eugenia O
Top Advice
My career at British Airways has been varied. It would be my 10th year in the company, including my 6 month hiatus. In BA it is very normal to stay in the company for decades. I never understood it until I left. I was desperate to try something new, and I thought that meant leaving the company. The great thing about working for a large organisation, is that there are various roles within the company. I never thought I would end up in Engineering, but it has been the best decision. Network, get to know other departments, because there really is something available for everyone in this company. Look at the careers page for inspiration and read the job description and advert, as some titles can be misleading! I was not afraid to leave BA for another reputable company, and I was not afraid to come back after 6 months. Try something new until you get what you are looking for.
Ruby S
Top Advice
Always keep an open-mind when making decisions, some of my best career moments have happened after I said yes to something that I wanted to say no to, being outside of your comfort zone is when you will learn the most! Create goals to ensure you have things to aspire and work towards, this will keep you on the right path and motivated. Prior to making big decisions, do your research, ask questions and don't worry if you don't understand something the first time - resilience is they key to success.
