FEATURE INTERVIEW
She works closely with her clients on achieving accreditations and considers this an important opportunity to work closely with the client; winning an award is always a feather in the team’s cap. Munford says: ‘There have been many times where working towards accreditations such as Towards an Excellent Service (TAES) or generally working with clients on successfully introducing new ideas or jointly managing special events, have proved rewarding and memorable.’
I believe it is about giving people the
opportunities to progress once they are in the industry and showing people we support their development
services, overseeing contracts in London and the South.
She said: ‘I have worked either directly for or contracted to local authorities throughout my career, although until three years ago this was in the provision of arts, cultural, leisure and fitness facilities. The prospect of changing profession after almost 25 years was initially quite daunting as well as exciting, but I recognised the role with APCOA as a great opportunity. Fundamentally it’s still about providing a contractual service to our local authority partners. The service remains interesting due to the increased levels of innovation continually being introduced to improve efficiency and the challenge of supporting our clients as they face increasing financial constraints. ‘And I like the company’s attitude towards our clients. The ethos is very much about working with our clients to ensure the contracts continue to evolve.’ As the new head of enforcement
services, Munford will be overseeing all 18 UK contracts, and one of her primary roles is to maintain current contracts, something achieved by looking for continual evolvement of each contract. This is particularly challenging, she says, due to the financial constraints that local authorities are under right now. But, although times are tough and contracts increasingly hard to come by, when a joint venture does work out then it is time to celebrate.
22 MARCH 2013
It is difficult to describe what the head of enforcement services actually does as it is such a varied role. There are many meetings, either with clients or contract management teams; there are never-ending discussions to be had with the IT team on ways of improving the service and implementing new systems as they come on the market; there are financial decisions to be made; man-management issues to be resolved; and everyday correspondence to be dealt with. As Munford says: ‘One of the things I really enjoy about my role is that every day is different.’
One of her main roles, says Munford, is ensuring the right team is in place, and the right people are in roles.
Attracting talents As a profession, parking has sometimes struggled to attract talented people to its ranks. I asked Munford how she would improve parking’s offer to young people seeking a good career.
‘I believe it is about giving people the
opportunities to progress once they are in the industry and showing people we support their development. APCOA has introduced both a fast track management scheme to help supervisors and assistant contract managers to become contract managers, and a comparable course to help civil enforcement officers become supervisors. ‘To attract and retain quality colleagues we have to offer opportunities for ambitious members to develop their skills, providing them with the chance to progress through the organisation.’
And turning full circle, Munford came back to the only quality that matters in her eyes: ‘Colleagues at APCOA range from 18 to 84-years-old. We focus on employing people with the right qualities to fulfil their role regardless of age.’
www.britishparking.co.uk
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