Jill recently celebrated her 10 year anniversary at Sherwen Studios. We chatted about how her time at the company has shaped her career and why she’s dedicated a decade of her life to the Sherwen Family.
Before beginning your decade at Sherwen Studios, what did you used to do?
Jill: I Worked at Auto Trader in the production department. I was heavily involved in the production of all of their magazines from type setting and proof reading through to design and pagination.
Prior to that I studied Graphic Design at the University of Salford and came out with a 2:1 honours.
Joining Sherwen was the beginning of growth from a family photography studio to the thriving digital creative agency that it is today.
Jill
What’s your role at Sherwen, has it changed at all throughout the years?
Jill: I came on board as a Junior Web Developer where I looked after our long term retail partners, many websites. Some of these were intranets where I kept retailers up-to-date on upcoming promotions and events in store.
I also offered technical support through a ticketing system. I updated their promotions and seasonal recipes regularly on their consumer sites and I also worked on their email marketing.
Today, I am proudly looking after the same clients I started with 10 years ago. I have gotten to know them extremely well and I know how they like their website. My clients websites have transformed many times from basic html to beautiful Drupal and Wordpress sites, so the way I update their sites has certainly changed over time.
Would you like to run us through a typical day at the Sherwen Office B.C. (Before COVID)
Jill: I always start my day with a brew and go through all my emails and reply to my customers. I will request any assets I need for a project and while I’m waiting I’ll work on something else, another brand’s site for example.
My job these days mostly involves content management, artwork and a little bit of HTML and CSS. So I usually start a project by creating a copy spreadsheet. I’d then work on creating offer images in photoshop ready to upload to Drupal.
While i'm working there’s usually a lot of activity going on in the office. Lots of conversation among myself and my colleagues (work related of course) and I may be involved in a meeting in Matt’s office.
What’s the best thing about working at Sherwen?
Jill: The ongoing joke in the office is that I’m part of the woodwork.
We’ve doubled in size since I started and that’s quite an achievement - I’ve watched it grow into a hard-working, adaptive digital agency.
Be proactive; start your workday off the right way and get organised. Anticipating our clients' needs is what we do.
Jill
Who makes the best coffee & tea in the office? No pressure.
Jill: it has to be me! We’ve even had discussions about my brew making techniques to see if anyone can recreate it.
Favourite song on the Office playlist?
Jill: Oooh that’s a tough one. Erm ugh! Well Sean and Dean are usually the office DJ’s. I just go along with whatever they put on and laugh when Emma sneaks in and changes it or when they change it on each other.
How would your colleagues describe you in three words?
Jill: Happy to help!
Can you give us a fun fact about yourself?
Jill: I love my pets! I have a Springer Spaniel called Lizzy and 2 Rabbits called Peter & Percy.
I also enjoy anything creative, design, photography and drawing.
Here’s to the next 10 years, obviously. But if you had 10 minutes to prepare a meal for The Queen, what would you make? Clocks ticking.
Jill: Okay, for Starter: Homemade vegetable soup (with my soup maker).
Main: Spaghetti Puttanesca (my favourite).
Dessert: Chocolate Brownie & Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae.