Across all of our businesses, there are individual marketing teams who deliver unique goals for our overarching Group strategy. Within these teams, we have opportunities for ambitious marketing professionals at all levels to make a real difference.
Kirsten Winnett was promoted to Head of Marketing at Keyline in March 2022. She was previously Marketing Manager at CCF and is a great example of the cross-business career opportunities we can offer within the Travis Perkins Group.
Whilst University qualifications are not necessarily a requirement to work with us, Kirsten joined us full-time after graduating with a degree in Business Management and Marketing in 2015, having previously completed a student placement with us in 2013.
We spoke to her about her professional development and why she thinks working for the Travis Perkins Group has been invaluable for a career in marketing.
Recognition from the outset
Kirsten initially started within our Travis Perkins business on a placement year and really made an impact from the outset. After returning to University to complete her final year, an opportunity arose to join us as a Marketing Assistant at CCF when she graduated. Her plans to do casual work after graduating whilst looking for a job soon turned into starting a long-term, successful career a week after her final exam.
Along her career path within our Group, Kirsten has worked with her managers to carve out each next stepping stone. With a winning combination of hard work, support, and career development, in 2017 she became Assistant Marketing Manager at CCF, followed two years later by becoming Marketing Manager.
Career progression across the Group
Whilst in the role of Marketing Manager, in 2020 Kirsten was also asked to look after the Pricing team from a people development perspective.
“With this, we started to shout about the value of the pricing team and what they bring to business, particularly as prices increase with inflation. We looked at manual processes and how we could automate to create efficiencies.”
Another new opportunity then arose for a cross-business promotion in March 2022, and Kirsten became Head of Marketing at Keyline.
“I was particularly attracted to this role because I would be building a team, a strategy and a marketing proposition from scratch. It was a new and exciting challenge for me.”
Exposure to new opportunities
Kirsten says the best part of her job is how varied it is.
“I have a lot of interaction with the sales teams, commercial teams, and more; I really enjoy building relationships all over the UK. From Aberdeen to Bodmin, my interaction with the business scales the entire nation. This provides so many opportunities to see different functions at work and how they operate.”
“The business prides itself on recognising talent and working to develop it. For me, any time I’ve wanted more or a new challenge, I’ve been offered that. The Group has supported my development and invested in me as I’ve continued to grow, I’ve not been shoehorned into a specific path.”
Shifting perspectives to create a more diverse workforce
Initially, Travis Perkins wasn’t on Kirsten’s radar, but she wanted to remain local, so started looking at schemes around where she lived.
“I went along to the assessment center and haven’t looked back. I can’t imagine working in any other industry now. From an external point of view, it can be male-dominated but we’re actively trying to shift perspectives and create a more diverse workforce. Once you’re in it's not intimidating at all, it's a really friendly, supportive environment. I’ve always felt my views and input have been valued.”
Developing marketing skills that ultimately impact the business
Kirsten says that when looking for new members of the team, for her it’s about candidates having the right attitude towards learning, as marketing skills can be taught.
“Keyline’s marketing department has gone through a period of change in the last two years. Recently, we’ve been looking at putting strong foundations in place to become a high-performing marketing team, which includes recruiting and getting best practices in place.”
“In 2023 we’ll be working with the Senior Leadership Team to understand overall strategy and align with the Group's ambition to be a leading partner to the construction industry. We want to develop an external brand that resonates with the marketplace.”
Company values that resonate
We asked Kirsten what she felt the best part of working within the Travis Perkins Group was, and she said without a doubt it had to be the culture.
“The new values really resonate with me, and that’s a palpable feeling across the group. It’s not only the type of people we bring in but also the strong culture that resonates throughout. Specifically, during the Covid pandemic, we saw everyone coming together, and that culture has stuck. People check in virtually if you don't seem yourself, everyone looks out for each other. Relationships have been built across the wider Group and some of my best friendships have actually been made from working here.”
Advice to prospective marketing candidates
“Do it - take the plunge. Reach out to some people that work here to get their views. Come in with an open mind, a lot of enthusiasm and unique ideas. We’re always looking for new energies and personalities to help maintain our positive culture.”
If you’re looking for your next marketing opportunity, browse our marketing and digital jobs today to kick off a successful career!
