I met Caroline on a wet October afternoon at the new London Fruit & Wool Exchange at Spitalfields where she works as a security officer for CIS Security.
The original building first opened its doors in 1929 and, other than retaining the facade on Brushfield Street, it is now a modern hi-tech multi-tenanted complex that sits opposite the market.
Caroline first joined the security industry in 2013; her father worked in the armed forces and it was a passion of hers to work in the security sector.
She has received much praise from both her manager and client, who have commented on her dedication and commitment to the job along with the ability to put a smile on people’s faces (which having met her I can see why).
The last seven months have been particularly challenging for many of our frontline workers but in the words of her manager. “Caroline’s commitment and dedication have been extraordinary, she has taken on additional tasks and has helped drive new initiatives amongst the team – she has truly been a standout professional.”
A great accolade is also complemented with: “She’s one of the most hard-working, diligent and professional team members we have. She keeps good control on the building when I am not around, and I think she fully deserves to be rewarded for her hard work – she’s a fantastic woman with a heart of gold.” – Emma Burns/CBRE.
And another reads: “She’s continuously gone the extra mile with regards to paperwork and making sure things get done with site work. In most cases doing the jobs herself to make sure it’s done properly and covering the extra shifts as well. I’m not the only one who feels this way, as a number of the other members of the team have commended her on her hard work as well.” – Chris Mellor/CBRE.
High praise indeed: however, outside her day job she has also stepped up in her local community as a volunteer, becoming a GoodSam responder for the NHS during COVID-19 (and still is). Utilising the app, Caroline helps people in her local community who are unable to get their shopping / medication and other items they may need. I established that she doesn’t drive so she walks everywhere, generally within a three-mile radius – sometimes she may need to get a local cab, depending on that particular need (which she pays for herself).
Emma Burns sums this up with the comment “a heart of gold” and this is after a twelve-hour shift and a forty-minute train ride home (and during her days off) – amazing!
I asked Caroline what is next for her, career wise, and what single piece of advice would she give someone looking to join the security profession. With a big grin she says she would like to run her own team and help people, and in terms of advice, “you need to be passionate and humble at the same time”.
Thank you, Caroline, for your time and may you continue to shine.
Graham Bassett.
