UK lifting and rigging equipment supplier Rope and Sling Specialists - RSS - has appointed Sophie Coleman as manager of its Heathrow depot.
Coleman joined the company 14 years ago at the age of 16. She began as an administrator before being promoted to sales and hire coordinator based in Pyle, South Wales. In 2019 she relocated to London where she was appointed office manager.
At Heathrow she leads a team of 10, largely working with crane rental companies on infrastructure projects such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel and HS2.
Sophie Coleman
Coleman said: “I am excited about this new challenge. I believe my experience at the company will support me, but I recognise that I need to continue to build on my knowledge and skills. My decision to take up a career in the lifting industry, especially at the age of 16, was considered an unusual choice at the time, but my progress is evidence that the sector does present opportunities for ambitious young women.”
Managing director Steve Hutin said: “When she moved to London, Sophie made an immediate impact, improving all aspects of the operation. We eased her into the role via a trial period but that was just a formality, we knew she would be successful. Sophie excels in all facets of leadership and is outstanding at customer engagement and service. It is a reality that this is still a male dominated industry, but Sophie gets the best out of people at all levels of the business.”
Hutin acquired RSS in 2006, having worked for the company from 1998 to 2002, as owner he quickly turned it from a regional lifting and rigging gear supplier in South Wales, into a national lifting and ‘below the hook’ equipment supplier, operating from nine locations from Plymouth in the southwest as far north as Edinburgh in Scotland.
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