In this Mason & Dale case study, we sat down with Becky Wynne to explore her journey from joining Advantage Utilities as a nervous graduate in the Sales Support team to becoming Senior Manager, uncovering how she built her expertise from the ground up, developed empathy-driven leadership, and leveraged strong partnerships to shape high-performing teams and a thriving work culture.
What was your mindset when you first joined Advantage Utilities and began your journey within the Sales Support team?
I was very nervous about moving into an office-based role, as it was new to me at the time. I had recently finished university, so I was coming out of education and retail-based work, and I was going into a brand-new industry, which was quite daunting. But Chanell supported me throughout the whole process and put my mind at ease. I remember telling Chanell that I just wanted a nice place to work, and I trusted her recommendations, and now I’m still here 8 years on!
What were your initial responsibilities, and how did they help to shape the way you approach leadership today?
I initially joined a very small, new team within the company and my main duties were data collection and data entry, as well as gathering customer information and using internal tools to draw up pricing comparisons and contracts. I think that learning the role from the ground up gave me the confidence to know that I could answer the team’s questions or always find the answer. Because I had been in their position and I know their role like the back of my hand, it meant that it’s much easier for me to put myself in the team’s shoes and understand their feedback/suggestions.
What pivotal moments stand out as contributing to your progression into your current role as Senior Manager?
If I’m completely honest, I never imagined working my way up to senior management-level, I was very fortunate to have great management who believed in me and pushed me to reach my potential. I don’t think there’s any specific single moments that contributed, but more 8 years of continually pushing my knowledge and thinking of new ideas to grow our team. The company have always been great at building talent and promoting from within, so we have ended up with a management team who have all the right knowledge and experience to handle all types of requests.
When you first engaged with Mason & Dale as a candidate, what were you looking for in your next career opportunity?
I didn’t have a specific job description or industry in mind, but I was very focused on finding the right environment. Simply put, I was just looking for a nice company where I could settle and find a stable role I enjoyed.
How did Mason & Dale’s approach differ from other recruitment experiences you’d had previously?
This was the first recruitment agency I had interacted with. Prior to this, I had spoken with companies directly and been through their direct hiring processes. Chanell stood out to me because she took time and effort to understand who I am and what I was looking for. I think this was the first time in any job search where I felt like a valued person, instead of just a number. Chanell listened, asked useful questions, and reassured me throughout – it was very refreshing.
What aspects of the role you secured through Mason & Dale made it align with your aspirations and values?
I found a company that genuinely values its staff and treats everyone like a valued person, and not just a number on a payroll. Like Chanell, the company listens, and they give chances to the right people. I have always been more interested in the environment I’m in, rather than the role itself because I think the right working environment can bring out the very best in people. I never specifically dreamed about working in the energy sector, but I am here and happy after 8 years because Chanell took the time to listen to what I needed.
In what ways did Mason & Dale support your development beyond simply placing you in a new position?
Chanell supported me throughout the entire process, helping with my CV and interview preparation. After interview, Chanell would always follow up and ask how I felt and what went well. She constantly reassured me and put belief in me. When I landed the role, Chanell continued to reach out and check in on how I was doing, and she even came into the office on my first week to deliver a congratulations. It was always a very personable approach, which ultimately built my confidence.
When you later partnered with Mason & Dale as a client, what challenges or requirements were you hoping they could help you address?
Our Sales Support role has always been quite a difficult role to fill, as it requires employees to consistently stay on top of new industry updates and adapt to new processes on a regular basis. So, whilst it’s a back-office administrative-based role, there’s a lot of reactive work also needed. It’s not always easy to find the right fit for the role.
How has their understanding of Advantage Utilities’ culture and values influenced the calibre of the hires you’ve made through them?
Chanell has taken the time to understand the role as if she is part of the company. Chanell takes the time on the phone to ask all the right questions, and I feel that she knows the role like the back of her hand now. This means that she can answer all candidate questions and, by the time we get to interview-stage, the candidates already have a great understanding of the responsibilities expected from the role.
Can you share an example of a successful hire made through Mason & Dale that had a particularly positive impact on your team?
There are multiple examples, but one that stands out is Alex Clarke. Alex was recommended through Chanell and has become an integral part of our team/company. Alex brought a huge skill set and knowledge with him, having worked in the industry for years prior, and has now worked his way up to a Team Leader. Alex has brought new suggestions and set new processes that have improved efficiency.
How has building a strong team with the help of Mason & Dale shaped your wider approach to talent strategy?
I have learned from Chanell that you must take the time to really listen and understand the requirements before bringing in any new talent. I will always now ensure that I am ready to answer any and all questions around a new role search and I will ask the right questions if there is anything I’m unsure of.
Having been both a candidate and a client with Mason & Dale, how would you describe the overall impact they’ve had on your career journey and business success?
To put it plainly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Chanell, and I consider myself extremely lucky and grateful for her support. Thanks to her reassurance and drop-everything level of service, I felt prepared and supported throughout the recruitment process. Since then, I have been empowered to continuously work hard and work my way from the ground up. Chanell boosted my confidence and, alongside fantastic leadership from Advantage Utilities, allowed me to believe that I could push myself further. From a client level, Chanell has placed multiple team members who have proven to be great additions. We have a very strong team, who understand the role and are always open to grow their knowledge.
What advice would you give to professionals considering working with Mason & Dale, whether as candidates or employers?
Don’t hesitate to go via Mason & Dale. Trust Chanell – she knows how to partner the right candidates with the right roles. It’s not just a case of putting forward as many applicants as possible, Chanell takes the time to really understand the company, the role, and the candidate fully to ensure the right fit for both parties.
If you’re looking to strengthen your team or explore strategic talent solutions, schedule a call with Mason & Dale here.
Alternatively, if you’re seeking your next career opportunity and want a role that aligns with your skills, values, and long-term goals, browse current opportunities with Mason & Dale contact info@masondrecruitment.com.
