Staff Stories
Susan
Captain of Our Ship
"We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails"
Susan leads her merry band of people each day in an adventure of creativity, harmony and discovery. Loves being surrounded by talented people who are kind and fair. With her team and our customers she believes she has that.
Susan enjoys adventurous sailing and in 2019 she took part in the Clipper round the world race while her team took the helm for a change.
Tina – Our very own Tina Turner
Tina has been with Impact Trading and Cotton Roots for 13 years and came from a background in team management and coaching which means she is perfectly placed as the office manager and looks after everyone.
In the past Tina has volunteered with the Samaritans which clearly demonstrates her caring nature.
In her spare time Tina has a love for cars and has recently taken up sewing, her first big project was to take up some curtains and she completed the task successfully. Now we need to make sure the design team don’t steal her!
The Big 3
- If you need a catch line – Tina’s your lady (today’s was ‘Healthy Human’)
- She can be ready for a photo shoot in under 30 seconds
- Ritz Cracker Connoisseur!
Ros – Our bundle of joy!
It’s strangely quiet when Ros isn’t in, I think it’s fair to say that she is the loudest person in the team!
Ros has been at Impact Trading and Cotton Roots for 15 years and we would be lost without her laughter.
She studied Fashion, Design and Manufacture at Northampton University and specialised in women’s wear. She has a passion for Dior’s New Look 1940’s style.
At Impact Trading and Cotton Roots, Ros plays a big part in the embroidery team which involves advice on sizing of logos, positioning frames and running and servicing the machines, but her talents don’t end there because she also studied photography so image shots, videoing and editing are also things she gets involved with.
Ros is also handy with the sewing machine and has a whole host of dress making behind her, this is very handy for the design team who sometimes borrow her.
The Big 3
- Hands down the happiest person we know!
- If you need a hand Ros always says yes!
- No need for Shazam, Ros always knows the song and the singer
Liz – The Great Coffee Drinker
Liz started her career in British Manufacturing in 1991 when she studied fashion and tailoring at The London College of Fashion followed by fashion and marketing at Central St Martins. She then went on to work as Head of Design at corporate wear company De Baer based in London.
Working at Impact Trading and Cotton Roots for over 7 years, Liz has played a big part in developing the design team who work with customers to design and manufacture UK bespoke aprons.
Liz has a huge passion for tea and cake, her dedication to the rituals of morning coffee and afternoon tea keep us all on schedule.
The Big 3
- Liz will take you off into a fantasy land of Country Living at a moment's notice
- No one else makes the offer of tea feel like such a treat
- Never lets anything get her down!
Hannah – Cool as a Cucumber
Hannah is one of our two newest team members, joining us a year ago to work with all our suppliers and ordering processes. She received a distinction in Art and Design and has a background in administration, so is well placed in her new role as our sales manager for Cotton Roots.
She is a lover of the outdoors and in her spare time she grows fruit and vegetables on her allotment, in 2023 her parsnips and plums won 1st prize in the village produce show!
The Big 3
- Hannah never says no to a cup of tea in her Excel mug
- Is the owner of several pairs of snazzy trousers
- Has a secret passion for decorating and interior design
Karen - Our Fairy
Karen swooped in a year ago and promptly took up the title 'Queen of Despatch' much to delight of the rest of the team. More recently she has been helping Ros as part of the embroidery team!
She is a woman of status, she has the title of Freewoman of the City of Gloucester which means she can drive cattle through the City of Gloucester on one day of each year.
Karen has lovely dogs and one of them was lucky to win a rosette recently in the local dog show, in the senior dog category.
Previous jobs have included cabin crew for British Airways, which inspired her love for travel.
The Big 3
- Secret lover of a Burger King whopper
- Most likely staff member to be Mary Poppins, neat and precise
- She is the official hug distributor
