RISING STARS MEET THE FUTURE


Anneka Helgesen, key account manager at ACO, tells Will McGill about her journey in the building materials sector so far.


What is your current role? I am a key account manager at ACO.


How did you get into this industry? I was approached by someone about the role and it intrigued me. I interviewed with ACO, where the managing director, John Ryszkowski, had just joined and I was his first recruit.


Impressed by ACO’s family-run yet internationally recognised business, I took a leap of faith. I accepted a role that seemed like a step back, with a pay cut, transitioning from external sales to account management.


What does a typical day for you at work look like?


A typical day? Honestly, there isn’t such a thing for me; it’s so varied. Fortunately, I’m at home today for this call, but I might be in Newcastle visiting a key customer or on a Teams call with someone in Newport or Cardiff.


Some days, I have my computer on Do Not Disturb while I look at invoices, review figures, or plan a presentation. I might be preparing to convince a company owner why they should stock our products or how to increase sales. Every day is different, and there’s no such thing as a typical day.


What do you think has been your biggest achievement in your role?


I’ve been in this role for a year, and last year I was nominated for the BMF Young Achievers Award, which was a high-point for me. Out of hundreds of nominees, I made it to


“This year, I was nominated for the Top 100 Young Achievers Awards, which is also a great honour. My nominations are a result of my hard work and consistency at ACO.”


the top five and attended the BMF Awards dinner. Although I didn’t win, reaching the top five within a year was a significant achievement and it is something I am very proud of.


This year, I was nominated for the Top 100 Young Achievers Awards, which is also a great honour. My nominations are a result of my hard work and consistency at ACO. Additionally, a colleague and I created an interactive platform for customers, providing them with unique, self- service access to important information, which has received phenomenal feedback and I implore everyone to give it ago and send any feedback to us, so we can continue to evolve and improve.


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What would you like to achieve next? I’ve been in this role for a year and have already achieved quite a bit. My next step is to really establish myself in this role even further and perhaps become a senior. Long term, I’d love to aim for a director position. But ultimately, I want to continue working hard, being reliable, and contributing positively to the team and the company.


What advice would you give to someone new to this industry?


You should go into the industry with an open mind. It is very varied, offering a range of roles beyond just one job type. It provides plenty of opportunities and variety.


Most people are friendly and welcoming, and many have worked their way up from the ground level, like managing directors who started in the yard. There’s a lot of potential for growth, and you get to meet a diverse range of people.


What would you say to someone who might be thinking about a career or getting a job in the merchant industry? The industry offers incredible opportunities and a wide variety of roles. I initially thought it was just about being a builder, but it includes positions like national account managers, internal and external roles, and even trainers. There’s so much more variety than I realised, and it’s not just limited to one type of job.


Why do you think young people and women are hesitant to go into the industry?


The industry is traditionally male-dominated, which can be intimidating. However, it’s changing. The old-school male attitudes are slowly fading, and the world is evolving. Opportunities are more equal, with more women now holding high positions in the industry.


While there might always be more men working in the sector, there are plenty of women in various roles across the entire industry, with a growing number of women in top positions.


Young people, including women, have more opportunities now, with college apprenticeships and entry-level positions available. I joined at 23 and wish I’d started even earlier, as the industry offers great potential for those who dive in. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2024


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