IE
2020 might be Mila’s 40th anniversary in the UK, but for Key Accounts Representative Jennie James, there’s a more personal reason to celebrate. It’s 10 years since she joined the business and one husband, two children and three job roles later, she’s as committed to Mila and its customers as ever.
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU
Where were you born, and which part of the country do you currently live?
I was born in Rugby and that’s where I still live. I left briefly to go to uni in Leicester, but I was very happy to come back.
Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled…
I studied for a degree in Business and Management at De Montfort University and learnt the art of multi-tasking very early – successfully combining my studies with a part-time job.
Your favourite sports or interests…
At school, I was a competitive swimmer, representing Warwickshire in butterfly. 5am training and long weekends at swimming galas are a distant memory now though! Like almost everyone else in the country it seems, I did take up running again in lockdown and successfully completed my Couch to 5K.
Your biggest regret in life…
I always wanted to be a Flight Attendant and I think I probably regret not trying out for that when I left school and seeing a bit more of the world before I settled down.
Someone or something that inspires you…
It would have to be my lovely Mum. She went through some really tough times when she was younger but went on to give us all a really happy family life. She’s a massive part of my life still and a really willing babysitter, which is great.
The temptation you can’t resist…
It’s that glass of wine or Prosecco on a Friday evening when my children are in bed…
YOUR CAREER
When and how you joined this industry…
I started my career in finance with Lloyds Banking Group but joined Mila in 2010. The industries might be different, but the roles are actually very similar with meticulous attention to detail and impeccable customer service at the heart of both. I started at Mila in internal sales looking after customers in the South and then in Greater London and moved into the Key Accounts Team after my son Barney was born six years ago.
The job you do in 25 words…
I help to make sure that all of Mila’s biggest customers and those who need something a bit different from us get the kind of service which makes them smile every day.
Your greatest achievement…
I’m extremely well organised and with the kind of methodical mindset which means that, even when I’m handling up to 250 product lines a day, I manage to keep everything on track for customers. I’m famous in the office for recording month and after month of zero order errors and that’s something I’m particularly proud of.
AND YOUR FUTURE
What you would like to do if you weren’t in this industry…
I’d probably follow that dream of being a Flight Attendant – it’s nice to think about a world where we can all travel freely again after Covid.
A particular ambition…
My husband Chris and I swam with dolphins on our honeymoon in Mexico, and I’d love to take Barney and our 18 month old daughter Penny there one day to have that once in a lifetime experience too.
The way you want to be remembered…
As someone who got the balance just about right – doing a great job at work but also being a great wife and Mum too.
