Happy International Women’s Day
Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to the extraordinary accomplishments and valuable contributions of women globally. This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we took the time to find out more about Sue Stratton, International Partner Services. Sue began her journey in the moving and storage industry in April 1998, find out more about her background and experience and what it’s like being a woman in the removals industry.
International Women’s Day: Staff Profile – Sue Stratton
“I started working in the industry as a Sales Co-ordinator and worked in this role for five years. I then moved into the Export department and five years later became the Auckland Export Manager. During this time, I went to Belgium and gained the FIDI EiM Diploma.
In 2013 I left to live in the UK for eight years and then returned to The Moving Company in November 2021 as an Internal Sales Consultant, five months later moving to Exports and International Partner Services to the role I am in today.”
What is your working day like?
“I’m in the office around 6:00 am and check my emails. As I work with a lot of overseas agents being early into the office helps with the time difference.
I coordinate the origin moves out of New Zealand, and sometimes domestically, but mainly exports. I liaise with the clients and overseas agents to ensure their relocation goes smoothly, providing quotations to the overseas agents, booking the sailings and air freight, ensuring we have all the correct documentation, doing the NZ Customs Export entries and shipping line / airline documentation. For some of customers this is the biggest move they have made, and they need reassurance of the processes and to know their goods are going to be looked after.”
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering pursuing a career in the removals industry?
“Go for it! I entered removals by accident when I moved to New Zealand from the UK in 1998, had never stayed in one job for more than five years prior to that, but removals catches you and doesn’t let you go. There are great opportunities in removals, and if you want to travel you can work virtually anywhere in the world.”
Is there a particular female figure that inspires you?
“I was always an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, I grew up in her era in the UK and she didn’t shirk from tough decisions and definitely tried to make the UK a better place. Her failing was she didn’t always listen, and you do need to listen to everyone’s point of view, even if you don’t agree with it.”
A little bit about you…
“I love to read when I get the time, murder mysteries, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Patricia Cornwell, and Kathy Reichs being favourites, also historical novels based around true events, Bernard Cornwell, Alexander Kent, Douglas Reeman. Gardening, walking, and cooking are all activities I enjoy.”
Your favourite quote?
“Attitude is a little thing that make a big difference” Winston Churchill
Thank you for your time Sue! We appreciate all that you do!
