ILC ARTICLE

Rising Star Interview Sammy Rodgers, Finance Apprentice, S&G Response

9th June 2021

1. Tell us about your role. What do you do, and what do you find most interesting about it?

I joined S&G Response in September 2019. I applied through the government website which led me to The Apprentice Academy in which I applied for a finance role at S&G Response. I have recently completed my level 3 AAT qualification with a distinction with the support of the business. This was a great opportunity for me as I was getting paid to learn on the job. By doing an apprenticeship it helped me transition from college into the working environment; the knowledge and skills I have learnt during my apprenticeship has helped me apply these to my day to day tasks.  I work within the finance department and I partake in tasks across both the sales and purchase ledger. This includes cash allocation, processing clients salvage payments and many month-end tasks such as variance analysis and bank reconciliations.

I find it most interesting when I take on new tasks or projects which allow my depth of accounting knowledge and experience to increase.

• What made you want to work in this industry? 

I wanted to work within the automotive industry as there are many different career paths that I could follow, such as engineering, sales, or accounts. I also love how my role is a customer centric job where I can find solutions for clients and make people happy.

I was initially attracted to working at S&G Response as they have a big emphasis around culture and their business values.  The wellbeing of our staff is a big priority to us, and I really like how the company listens to feedback, provides cultural sessions and regular 1-2-1 sessions with managers.

• What do you see as the biggest challenge to your industry in the next year?

One of the biggest challenges I see to the industry within the next year is Covid recovery. I feel as though there could be an increase in remote working across all job industry’s which means there is less vehicles on the road so there could be less claims.

• How would you like to see the industry improved next year / 5 years / by the time you retire? 

Within the industry I would like to see in the future more focus around sustainability, for example electric vehicles, carbon offset etc. In regards to S&G Response I think the business has the potential to really expand further and potentially develop to work with overseas clients.  In the next year or so I would love to see that younger people are made more aware of apprenticeship opportunities as they are a great alternative to going to university.

• If you could give your 16-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

If I could give my 16 year old self some advice it would be to be my best self- to not compare myself to others, only to my past self. Also to focus on what’s important and that every step I take Is helping my success for the future.