Long serving staff reflect on time at Willerby

We’re incredibly proud to have a loyal and dedicated workforce, with three-quarters of all colleagues having been with the business for at least five years and over half for 10 years or more.

We recently caught up with some of our colleagues who’ve been with us for varying lengths between 10 and 40 years, to find out more about the people that make Willerby, Willerby.

‘Willerby has always been a big part of my life’

For father and son duo, Glenn Craig and Ben Rollinson, Willerby really runs in their blood. Glenn joined the business as a Labourer in the metal shop when he was just 15, and is now a Production Manager, whilst Ben joined the business at 16 as a Plumbing Apprentice and has worked his way up to now being a Chargehand in the plumbing team.

Speaking about his journey so far, Ben said: “Willerby has always been a big part of my life and the iconic white ‘W’ seemed like a permanent fixture in our home when I was growing up. “My Dad always spoke really highly of the company, so when I left school it seemed like a good opportunity to apply for a job here.

“One of the things I enjoy most about my job is helping to train the new starters and lift them up. So many people helped me when I first joined the business, so it’s really rewarding to now be able to give that back and help our newest colleagues develop in the same way that so many people have helped me over the years.”

‘From the start Willerby has been supportive, encouraging and has nurtured me to progress’

Process Engineer Trevor Baxter joined Willerby in 1998. Having previously worked for Tudor Caravans Limited for over a decade, Trevor moved to Willerby when his former work place went into receivership.

With almost 40 years in the caravan industry, Trevor says he is proud to work for Willerby, describing it as “the best job” he’s ever had.

He said: “From the start Willerby has been supportive, encouraging and has nurtured me to progress, giving my opportunities to grow and learn. I’m sure I wouldn’t have had as many opportunities as I’ve been given at Willerby anywhere else.

“Over the years I’ve progressed into management, and I’ve seen so many other people progress too. I can remember at least five people who started on the shop floor and worked their way up to becoming Directors. I’m sure there are very few companies which can say that.”

‘It really does feel like a family’

CAD Engineer Sara Persyn joined Willerby 17 years ago.

Originally from Texas in the USA, Sara had little knowledge of the UK holiday home industry when she first moved in the early 2000s, but transferred her skills as a draughtsperson into being a valuable member of our team!

She said: “I worked across a variety of industries as a CAD Engineer in my early career but the holiday culture in America is very different so I didn’t know too much about the holiday homes industry when I moved here. I’m a very creative person though so the prospect of designing furniture for caravans was really appealing to me!

“Everyone here is so nice and it really does feel like a family. It has been particularly special for me to have that kind of working environment because my own family are in the States, so my colleagues really have become my family here in England.”

‘The thing I enjoy most is knowing I’ve played a part in contributing to someone’s dream’

Gary Neve, a Production Operative in the chassis team, joined Willerby after a career in plumbing, seeking more stability and less travel to better suit his family life. He said: “It’s a fast-paced environment and time passes really quickly. It’s a great set of lads, the team really are second to none!

“The thing I enjoy most is knowing I’ve played a part in contributing to someone’s dream. For many people it’s a lifelong dream to own their own holiday home and they save up a long time to make that happen, so I take a huge amount of pride in being part of that and want to deliver the very highest quality for all of our customers.”

Having joined the company to spend more time with his family, Gary’s dream has now truly come true, with his wife Mandy, and children Lucy and Charlie, also becoming Willerby employees!

‘It’s a really friendly working environment and everyone gets on.’

Warehouse Manager Jason Newman joined Willerby 10 years ago. After spending a decade serving in the Royal Air Force, Jason returned to Hull to begin a career in logistics, saying he was attracted to join Willerby thanks to the company’s positive reputation.

He said: “No two days are the same, some days can be slightly steadier and some are really busy, but I like the challenge and I enjoy problem solving and finding solutions to issues.

“It’s a really friendly working environment and everyone gets on. I actually enjoy coming to work, seeing my colleagues and having a laugh and joke together whilst getting a good job done.”

‘Willerby has been a great company to work for and has really helped me grow.’

After beginning his career with Willerby as a Labourer, Alex Halstead has worked his way up, completing technical and management qualifications to now be a Production Supervisor.

Following in the footsteps of his brother Nicholas who is also a Willerby Production Supervisor, Alex was inspired to join the team after hearing positive things about the company, and seeking more stability after a period of being self-employed.

He said: “Willerby has been a great company to work for and has really helped me grow. It’s the type of place where, if you’re have the right attitude, willingness to work hard and appetite to learn, they will invest in you and give you the opportunity to progress and develop.

“It’s a friendly and welcoming place to work and I enjoy having a laugh with everyone. I enjoy the team work, problem solving and challenges, and the hours work really well around my family life too so I feel like I have a good work-life balance.”

‘No two days are ever the same. I love it!’

Despatch Supervisor Paula Jackson started her journey with Willerby as an administrator and although she briefly left the business for a different role, she couldn’t stay away for long, soon returning in a receptionist role before moving into the despatch team and progressing to supervisor level.

After initially stepping into the despatch team on a temporary basis to help cover demand, Paula quickly fell in love with the job and the team, with Willerby supporting and encouraging her to make the career move and transfer into the despatch team in a permanent role.

Paula said: “We are an incredibly close-knit team and we all work really well together. I oversee a team of seven drivers and we speak to customers on a daily basis to arrange despatches. No two days are ever the same. I love it!”

Like many Willerby colleagues, Paula also has a real-life family connection in the business too, with her husband Danny working in the Jig Shop as a Production Operative for over 21 years!

‘Most of us have worked together for a very long time’

Overative Alex Kirkham has worked in Willerby’s metal shop for over 12 years after joining us from fellow holiday home manufacturer Swift.

Since joining Willerby, Alex has continued to progress, completing his fork lift driver training and most recently becoming a qualified mental health first aider.

He said: “We have a really good team and most of us have worked together for a very long time.

“One of the things I’m most proud of achieving during my time at Willerby is becoming a mental health first aider. I always try to support anyone who I see is struggling, but going through the training has given me the tools and confidence to help people in the best way.”

‘The people make every day better.’

Steve Jackson has been part of the Willerby team for over 18 years. Having worked in various positions including being a Quality Inspector and Supervisor, Steve now works as a Chargehand in the snagging team.

He said: “The most rewarding part of the job for me is knowing we’re getting a high-quality product out to the customer every time. We all take so much pride in our work and want to ensure every holiday home that comes of the production line is of the highest quality.

“Willerby has been really supportive over the years and has always encouraged me to progress. It’s the people that make it such a good place to work, the people make every day better.”

‘It makes me really proud to work for such a recognisable and well-respected manufacturer’
Lead Quality Assurance Operative Neil Johnson has spent over 28 years in the Willerby family. He has spent the largest part of his time as a line floater, working across every department from chassis through to finishings, and doing almost every job on the production line over the years.

He’s now progressed to lead our Quality Assurance team, carrying out inspections on every unit to ensure they meet our high standards of quality.

He said: “Everyone here is committed to getting the job done right. We have a cracking bunch in the quality team and they all work hard to do the best job.

“I have spent a lot of years holidaying in touring caravans, and at every holiday park we’ve been to, the biggest majority of holiday homes have the iconic Willerby ‘W’. It makes me really proud to work for such a recognisable and well-respected manufacturer and see our products helping families create memories.”