Case Studies
Carly Hammond
Carly Hammond began as a volunteer with Epping Forest District Council while she was studying for a Masters in history of fashion.
Now she’s been appointed museum, heritage and culture specialist, working alongside Tony O’Connor.
“The council is excellent at helping people work around their lives,” said Carly who has a two-year-old son.
“EFDC’s strong flexible work policy is helping me to not only continue working but also to progress my career.”
Carly had envisaged a career in fashion history and was doing work experience at the V&A while volunteering, but a position came up as a touring exhibitions officer at the museum in Waltham Abbey.
“The role was very different to what I initially set out to do, but I learned so much in terms of marketing, design, and exhibition production.,” said Carly.
On her first day she helped install a medieval skeleton and every day since she’s undertaken something different and enjoyed working with some fantastic collections.
In 2012 Carly took over the management of Lowewood Museum, Broxbourne under a service level agreement with EFDC and successfully brought in over £300,000 – mostly Heritage Lottery funding – to deliver many diverse projects and exhibitions.
“This was a real step up for me and a fantastic learning experience. Working for a local authority has given me the opportunity to develop a number of initiatives within the community and museums sector that I love,” she said.
Leona Canavan
A career in vehicle mechanics was the last thing apprentice Leona Canavan considered when she left school - she wanted to do a hair and beauty qualification like many of her friends.
But gradually her focus changed and she signed up for a course in light motor vehicles at Harlow College.
“I don’t know what changed my mind. I’m a girly girl, love my hair and makeup and false nails at the weekend – but I really enjoy this job. The satisfaction I get from fixing things is immense,” said Leona.
Coming towards the end of her college course she decided she wanted to do an apprenticeship and found the EFDC one online. She started work in September last year on a 2 years placement.
“This apprenticeship has helped my confidence, skills and knowledge. We do MOTs here so I’m dealing with members of the public and have to be able to talk to them in non-technical language about their vehicles so my customer service skills have improved tremendously.
“It is all one team working here which is great as everyone helps me reach my targets.”
Leona is our first apprentice vehicle mechanic and the first girl in the team and she has her sights firmly set on the future. She’s like one day to be a workshop manager – maybe another first for Epping Forest District Council!
Rob Pavey
Service Director Rob Pavey began his career at Epping Forest District council on a temporary contract straight out of Uni, while he was looking for work.
Little did he know it would lead to a lifetime in local government and a position in the management team!
He started in the old rates department and soon impressed the manager who offered him a permanent job setting up an IT system around the Community Charge register. This led to him managing a team of people in community charges…and his fate was sealed.
“As time went on I managed to achieve promotions around the time I was looking at moving on, so my career in local government progressed,” he said.
“Epping Forest is a good authority to work for and I’ve had a number of different bosses over the years, all with different approaches.”
Now Rob’s in that position himself as service director for Customer Services, a role he says he’s really enjoying.
Revenues gave him a good grounding in customer service and his new remit encompasses revenue and benefits, customer services, corporate communications, democratic services and elections.
“When all of the teams are finally in place we will be able to push ahead at full speed and there will be a lot of challenges to deal with, but in a dynamic and progressive council.”
Vanessa Gayton
Vanessa Gayton, the newly appointed Level One Culture and Communities team manager began her career with Epping Forest District Council 18 years ago as a part-time receptionist at Waltham Abbey Sports Centre.
A professional dancer - Vanessa had appeared on Top of the Pops and programmes with comedians Russ Abbot, Freddie Starr and Michael Barrymore – and was keen to get back into work when her two children went to school…but realised she couldn’t go back to her old career. She needed something that would work around her family.
Promotions followed and Vanessa moved to Epping Forest Arts section when the leisure service was outsourced. She revelled in using her dance skills in running courses and events alongside her other responsibilities.
Now her new role sees her managing 11 team members and taking on responsibility for the Youth Council, something she’s really looking forward to, but she admits it is a big change to her roles so far.
“It’s been a real journey for me working for Epping Forest District Council. They’ve invested in me through training and helped me to develop. My new role will be a steep learning curve but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
