Lawson is Branch Manager at Travis Perkins Reading Acre Road. He’s been in his current role for a year but has built up a wealth of experience during six years with us. Before joining the Travis Perkins Group, Lawson worked at one of our competitor’s part-time whilst studying at college. This progressed into a full-time role, giving him some experience in the building supplies industry, but not quite the career development he really wanted.
Read Lawson’s story to find out how his journey to Branch Manager has developed and why being a member of our ACE Network is important to him.
Climbing the career ladder
When asked what inspired him to apply for his current role, Lawson said ‘I decided to apply because I’m ambitious and wanted to work my way up the business ladder.’
In 2015 Lawson joined Travis Perkins Managed Service as a Customer Assistant. Following this he was made Assistant Branch Manager at Travis Perkins Camberley, where he was able to learn about day to day running of a branch, products, and people, and how to build lasting customer relationships.
In 2017, Lawson completed an Apprenticeship in Level 3 Managing a Team which helped him to learn people management skills and how to get the best out of individuals and as a collective. Utilising this new knowledge and experience, he moved across to our Keyline business in 2019 as Assistant Branch Manager because he wanted to understand another part of our group and widen his skillset with regards to civils.
In February 2020, Lawson was successfully promoted to Branch Manager at Keyline Basingstoke. Unfortunately, shortly after this, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and this branch was close. However, he didn’t let this hinder his determination to progress and in August 2020, he returned to Travis Perkins as Branch Manager of Reading Acre Road.
Delivering for our customers
Within our group, we invest heavily in training and development for our colleagues, so they can deliver the high-quality service our customers deserve, whilst also advancing their own careers. Lawson has certainly harnessed the opportunities we offer by embarking on an impressive career journey with us.
‘What I enjoy most is that every day is completely different. Servicing our customers is the best reward for me,’ he says. This is great to hear because delivering for our customers is one of our key Values; we know the success of our business relies on the strong relationships our colleagues build.
ACE Network
Lawson is a member of our Awareness of Cultures and Ethnicities (ACE) Network. Colleagues including Lawson and Alana have joined because it primarily focuses on inclusion and is a place where colleagues from different cultures, and allies, can come together and celebrate differences. He says that being part of the ACE Network is important to him because he wants to make sure everyone is represented well so we can celebrate all the different people that work in our business.
We have recently been celebrating Black History Month, which has enabled the Group to learn more about Black culture and can celebrate Black history at work. We are committed to always learning and improving so we’re on a journey to becoming a truly inclusive employer. We want all of our colleagues to feel safe, welcome, and confident at work, empowered by their individuality and proud of their culture. Find out more about our diversity and inclusion strategy and our various networks here.
‘Take the leap and you won’t look back’
When asked about why he has stayed with the business for so long, Lawson said it’s because he works within a great team, and his bosses are great. For him, the clear path to progress and better not only himself, but also to motivate at team, is fundamental to his career. To those thinking of joining the Travis Perkins Group, Lawson says ‘Just do it, we will teach you all you need to know. Take the leap and you won’t look back.’ Wise words indeed!
If you’ve been inspired by Lawson’s story, browse our available branch, store and showroom jobs roles today and find out where your career at Travis Perkins can take you.
Whatever it is you do with us, we’ll help you to learn, grow, and develop across the Group.
