In Conversation with Toni Speight
In this series, Samuel Knight Group Marketing Lead, Emma Dark, sits down with employees from across the Samuel Knight Group portfolio to discuss life at SK and what’s happening within their sector at the moment.
This week Emma caught up with Finance Officer, Toni Speight, who works with the SK Accounts team, supporting payroll for Samuel Knight Rail contractors.
Hi Toni, tell me a little about your role here…
I joined Samuel Knight in April of this year as a Finance Officer working within the Accounts team at head office in Newcastle. My main responsibilities are processing the weekly payroll for the rail contractors.
Before working at SK what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I worked at the police vehicle compound for a few years, which means if vehicles were seized for having no insurance or if they were used in a crime, or road traffic accident then I would process the paperwork. It was such an interesting job!
I’m actually a fully qualified hairdresser too so that’s how I still spend my spare time, it definitely keeps me busy! I started out as a Saturday girl when I was 14 in the hair salons which feels like a lifetime ago now!
What attracted you to Samuel Knight?
I already knew someone who worked in the Accounts team here and she spoke so highly of the company. I wasn’t actually looking for a new role however once I came into the office for a chat I was sold! The Newcastle HQ is a brilliant office space, and with all the added bonuses of the on-site gym and PT it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down!
They also offer fantastic learning and development programmes for all staff members no matter the department, so they are currently supporting me through my apprenticeship too!
What does an average day look like for you at SK?
Every day is so varied however I do have a set routine that I try to stick to ensuring that the contractors are paid when they need to be. So on Mondays I carry out the rate checks, and process the time sheets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, on a Thursday it’s payment run and then Friday is when the invoices are sent out. However in between this I am answering daily questions and queries so it’s just about managing my time well and prioritising certain activities.
Obviously you work closely with the Rail team at Samuel Knight, what does the industry look like at the moment for women?
We currently don’t employ a huge number of women on the tracks however we do have females in certain roles such as security, cleaning and some white collar positions.
Are there any misconceptions people have about your role?
Definitely, the main one is that you have to be a math genius hah!
What does the future hold for you at SK?
At the moment I’m just focused on gaining my AAT qualification which I am undertaking as part of my apprenticeship so in the future I can move into a more senior role within the company.
Most memorable moment at SK or something that recently made you smile at SK?
A stand out moment for me was my first college meeting back after I’d been with SK a month, the tutor had asked my manager Adam how I was getting on and he said that I was ‘exceeding the timescales and expectations that they’d set’, which definitely made me smile!
What advice do you have for women (or just anyone) considering a career with SK?
Just go for it! If you want to succeed you can, and will!
Finally, at SK we have the motto ‘team work makes the dream work’, do you have a favourite quote? Motto or personal mantra?
Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!
