A career built from
the ground up
Words by Lewis Williams, Account Manager
My whole life I’ve been sports mad, so throughout school my favourite lessons were P.E and then in college I did Sports Development and Coaching. I got the grade I needed to head to University of Central Lancashire, but it didn’t end up being what I wanted to do.
That led me to Resource, my Dad (Alan) is the Litho & Bindery Manager and has worked at Resource for over 35 years now. I started doing some temporary work when I was needed and tried to gain as much experience as I could until a permanent position came up in the Digital Print team. It was probably in my blood all along.
When the opportunity came, I grabbed it with both hands and really enjoyed the consistency of full-time work. I worked in the Digital print team from 2014 to 2019 gaining experience and knowledge on different machinery and the skillset needed for each. I really enjoyed my time running the HP Indigo, although sadly the annual Barcelona training course came to Leeds that year, so instead of me heading off to Barcelona to do it, I was right here in Leeds, but it was a great opportunity to gain my Level 1. After running the Polywrapping machine, Auto encloses, Canon Copiers and Hp Indigo for several years, I decided I wanted to try something new.
Becoming an Account Manager
In 2019 I asked if I could I try and gain some experience in the Client Services Team. Luckily the opportunity to do so came up and I really enjoyed the fortnight I sat with the team and saw the day to day and what it takes to become an account manager.
The first person that I sat with for some coaching was the late Debbie Bryden, an absolute legend of the company and sadly passed away after a battle with Cancer in 2024. She was like my work Mother, had a heart of gold, a smile that lit up the room and she was amazing at her job, and she taught me so much.
Once I‘d had my first few months in the team I was set a 7-part training module which covered all aspects of account management, behind the scenes of production, and an insight into sales. Key parts to my role are ensuring deadlines are met, clients are happy, upselling our products and processing and managing a large workload through the business.
I tell people that join the business now who have their own training modules to do, how much they helped me and gave me a crash course in each department which would have taken years to learn naturally.
Eleven years on from joining Resource and I have seen lots of changes and seen us become a bigger, better Resource. I have seen us move from the old building on Bath Lane and even helped with the move across to the current HQ on Armley Road.
The best thing about Resource is the people, I’ve built some really strong friendships over the years in all departments. I’ve already made some great memories, from Leeds United hospitality days and trips to York Races, to spending lunch breaks locked in some very competitive (and occasionally questionable) darts matches with colleagues.
I think the office lifestyle suits me and being in a client facing role has given me confidence and skills that I can use inside and outside of work.
I am proud of what I have achieved so far and know the story isn’t done yet, I have lots more to learn about our clients, myself and the role itself. I look forward to keeping growing, be the best version of myself and seeing where that takes me.