Case study: Helen Witherspoon, Currys Branch Manager

Helen joined the company in 2001, when she found herself single with three young children. Using Working Families Tax Credit to help cover childcare costs, she decided to return to work, and chose to apply for a job at Currys.

Helen explains: "On my first day I was partnered with another woman who was about the same age as me and who also had children. I felt instantly at ease. One of the things I remember about my first day was reading a few lines in the staff handbook, which were ‘if you are committed to succeed in Currys then we are committed to help you.’ Even though I had never really had a career in the past, I have always focused on being successful one way or another so there it was, my opportunity."

Helen made the most of the opportunity, supported by managers who were flexible when she had childcare issues and changing shift patterns to suit family life and school holidays. Within a year, Helen was invited onto the ‘Stepping into Management’ course, and became a trainee manager, then a Department Manager, which allowed her to network with other areas of the business.

With her children now in school, Helen became full time Branch Manager of the Llanelli Currys in March 2006, and was voted Role Model of the Year.

A final benefit for Helen in joining Currys was that in her first year with the company she met and married a colleague, Mark, who is now Branch Manager of Currys in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol!