M-Sport Member Spotlight​

Lenka Doggett ​

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As a member of our busy finance team, Lenka is responsible for the financial, administrative and clerical support of the company. Coordinating business spending whilst keeping track of company purchases, she supports the smooth and continued running of the team. 

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Have you always worked in finance?
I started my career in Finance back in Slovakia, doing invoices for a large food warehouse, but I have done so many different things since then. We laugh in the office sometimes as no matter what the conversation, it will almost certainly remind me of something I used to do!
We were talking after the rally about Mexican food and food from different cultures, and it reminded me that I used to be a waitress for Indian weddings. We have our afternoon tea, and it reminds me that I used to work for a specialist tea company. We talk about a film we’ve seen over the weekend, and I remember when I first moved to England and was packing DVDs. Someone pops into town for lunch, and I remember the time I worked in a Jewish bakery. We file something in the cupboards, and it reminds me that I used to design wardrobes! 
Honestly, you name it, I’ve done it. 

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Where did you learn your skillset?
I have no qualifications or certificates or anything like that, everything I learnt I learnt through experience and through working.
When I was in London I got a job at Renault UK as they needed someone to organise their archives. I was only supposed to be there eight weeks or so, but I got talking to the maintenance guy who was good friends with the Accounts Manager and he suggested that I would be a good addition to their accounts team.
I started by organising registrations with the DVLA and booking new cars onto the system, and then it was suggested that I help the Purchase Ledger as it was a massive company and he was under quite a lot of pressure. 
Then one lunchtime, he didn’t come back! The manager asked if I would like to take over the position – I said I’d give it a go, and the rest is history! 
I ended up becoming the Purchase Ledger for four branches in London West, Slough, Watford and Croydon. It was such an important time in my life. I worked so hard and learnt so much there. That’s where I developed all the skills I use today, but even more importantly, it’s also where I met my husband.

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How did you come to work at M-Sport?
My husband always knew that I would end up working here. 
When we first moved to Cumbria he said, “you know, there’s this brilliant company in Cockermouth that would be the perfect place for you,” but it wasn’t until almost 10 years later that I happened to see a job advert and sent in my application.
It was the first job I applied for after having my daughter. You should never think like this, but at the time I thought that they would never offer a job to someone like me who has just been on maternity leave. But I got an interview, and the very same day I was offered the job.
I’ve been here four years now, and I can honestly say that I’ve truly found my home.

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What do you consider the most valuable skill in your role?
You definitely need to be organised and have a head for numbers, but you also need to be patient and enjoy problem solving and finding solutions.
Most importantly though, and I think this is true of any job, you need to be nice to people. I truly believe that if you’re nice to people, people will be nice to you – that makes everything work better. 
I’ve been in some places where the accounts team think themselves on a different level to the rest of the company, but that’s not the case here. I see the whole team as one big jigsaw, and the picture isn’t complete without all of the pieces – no matter how big or small.

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Do you use any of the company benefits?
The gym discount is totally worth it and has honestly changed my life! 
I would never have paid for a gym membership before, but now I don’t even notice that £10 each month. I go swimming and I go to classes, and I have even signed up for the M-Sport 5K this summer which I would never have done were it not for the gym membership completely changing my life for the better. 
Paul [McKnespiey, Finance Director] has sent me a training plan to get me up to speed, and I’m really looking forward to challenging myself whilst supporting a local family raising money for such a good cause.
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