Page 17 - Sphere No.27 (Sep 2010)

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Sphere
massive bundle of minutes, texts and
data called The One Plan, which will
see it play aggressively in the UK
voice market.
Mobile broadband devices
are being used more and more
to send and receive data – from
complex company flow charts to
live-streamed football matches
– guaranteeing healthy future
demand for 3 services. In total,
the company now has more
than 6.8 million customers in
the UK and Ireland.
Another business that has
weathered the recession-
ary storm is the HWL retail
division, where Superdrug,
The Perfume Shop, Savers
and Sen have all been grow-
ing. The retail stores come
under the jurisdiction of the
HWL-owned A S Watson, the
world’s leading international
health and beauty chain.
Career satisfaction
Understandably, employees
feel proud to be working for
a company expanding so
rapidly. “It is very satisfy-
ing to work for a forward
thinking, growing busi-
ness,” said Amanda Kitch-
ingham, The Perfume
Charity begins at work
Superdrug Store Manager Julian Taylor is known for dreaming up wacky schemes
to raise money for charity, including sponsored head shaving, and staff fancy
dress days.
All cash raised at the store, located in Weymouth, on the south coast of England,
goes to help a cancer charity that makes hospital life a little more tolerable for teen-
age patients. It is a cause close to home: he lost a young brother to cancer.
Mr Taylor is one of many HWL staff who, with the company’s keen support, raise
thousands of pounds annually for various charities. “One of our most successful fund-
raisers was a sponsored head-shaving session,” he said.
“I think in that year we raised GBP6,000 and last year we raised GBP3,000.
“The money went to the Teenage Cancer Trust. I lost my brother to cancer when he was
18. That is what made me choose that charity, as there is nothing for that age group.”
The father of three daughters, with a fourth child on the way, he met his Swedish wife
when he offered her a job in Superdrug. She now runs her own clothing business, as well
as studying for a law degree.
“I started with Superdrug in 1989 as a warehouse lad and worked my way up to man-
ager,” he said. “I enjoy the job, I particularly like the team of people I work with.”
The store manager of The Perfume Shop in nearby Bournemouth became active in
cancer charities when a close friend – now recovered – underwent the anguish of che-
motherapy. Dawn Earp signed up for the Look Good, Feel Better charity that aims to give
recovering women, some of whom have to wear wigs because of the treatment, tips on
how to use make-up.
“The big companies donate perfumes and make-up and people volunteer to help out at
hospital sessions,” said Ms Earp. “I go to Poole Hospital on my day off. We have 12 ladies
who are either going through treatment, or recovering. We show them how to put on make-
up with cosmetics donated by the companies.
“Some are very ill and some are getting better, but all have gone through intensive treat-
ment. This is a treat for them, a way of picking themselves up. It might sound a simple thing,
but after chemotherapy, they really appreciate being able to have some eyebrows again.”
Despite a busy schedule, Amanda Kitchingham, who is The Perfume Shop’s Regional Man-
ager for Ireland, Scotland and Northeast England, also finds time to help out with charities.
“I do evening presentations for cancer care groups for ladies who have suffered from can-
cer and are either in remission or still undergoing treatment,” she said. “I take fragrances
with me and talk about the business, our work philosophy, how to use different strengths of
perfume, etc.
“These evenings are so rewarding.”