ILC ARTICLE

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

9th June 2021

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.