A Leap Into Something New: My Early Days at Valda 🚀

When I joined Valda Energy in October 2021 as a Customer Service Advisor, it was a brand-new adventure for me as I had previously been in retail for 10 years. I was looking for a role where I could lead a team, solve problems, and make a real impact. What I found was a company that not only gave me that opportunity but also encouraged me to go further.

Those first few months were fast-paced and full of learning. I got to grips with the operations side of the business, built strong relationships with colleagues, and quickly saw how open Valda is to fresh ideas and different ways of working. It became clear very early on that this was a place where I could develop and grow. This was proven by the fact I was successful in my application for the Operations Team Leader role within 4 months of joining the company.

Valda-Funded Qualification 🎓

I was fortunate to be selected by Valda for an apprenticeship course, which allowed me to achieve a distinction in Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor. This experience had a profound impact on both my personal development and the business. Personally, it enhanced my leadership skills, built my confidence, and equipped me with valuable knowledge that I continue to apply in my role. For the business, it meant having a more skilled and capable leader who could contribute to efficiency, teamwork, and overall success. Valda supported me throughout the apprenticeship, providing mentorship, resources, and practical opportunities to apply my learning, ensuring I could reach my full potential.

Taking on a New Challenge in Metering ⚙️

By the middle of 2024, I was ready to take on something new and moved into the role of Metering Services Lead. It was a big shift, more technical, with a real focus on systems and processes, but it gave me a much broader view of how the business runs behind the scenes.

I began to understand how our operations supported the customer experience, how different teams connected, and how important it is to get the detail right. It was also during this time that I was asked to be the Project Lead on a key Taskforce Project; one that ended up being a major milestone in my career. The project’s goal was to enhance the customer experience. I led a small team of talented agents from different areas of the business, from Collections to Customer Service and Billing, to create a strategy that worked.

This project not only enabled us to exceed ambitious targets, but also fostered cross-departmental collaboration, expanded our collective knowledge, and led to the creation of new processes that have significantly improved how we work across the business. It was a real team effort, and I’m proud to say we achieved what we set out to do. Not only did we deliver a tangible result for the business, but the experience also gave me a huge boost in confidence. Being trusted to contribute to something so significant showed me just how much Valda believes in its people.

Stepping Up as Collections Manager 📈

In April 2025, I was offered the chance to step into my current role as Collections Manager. Leading this team has been incredibly rewarding, not just because of the responsibility, but because of the purpose behind it. We’re not just collecting payments; we’re supporting customers to stay on track and helping to secure the financial strength of the business.

Everything I’ve learnt in my previous roles feeds into how I lead now. I’ve been on the frontline, I’ve worked cross-functionally, and I know how important it is to feel supported and empowered. That’s what I try to bring to my team every day.

Looking Ahead 🔭

It’s amazing to think how far I’ve come in such a short space of time and it’s all thanks to the trust, support and development I’ve received here at Valda. This is a business that genuinely invests in its people, listens to their ambitions, and creates space for them to thrive.

I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next.