Lauren Cox, Business and HR Executive at Comline UK.

Q: What was your first ever job, and how did it shape your career?

A: My first job was working in the kitchens at a local pub. More than anything, it taught me that no job is insignificant and that everyone plays an important part, even when it feels like you’re at the bottom of the ladder. As I moved to working “front of house” and started interacting with lots of different people, I built confidence and realised how much I enjoyed engaging with others. This skill has served me well throughout my career at Comline and is now an integral part of the role I’m in!

Q: Can you share your career journey and what led you to your current role?

A: I joined Comline while looking for a career change – I had previously been working in pub management but with long and unsociable hours I was ready for a change. Fourteen years ago, I started at Comline as a sales admin for export customers, and later I became part of the Private Branding team. Over the years, I gained valuable experience and worked with some amazing people. Last year, when the opportunity for a change came up, I was excited to take on a new challenge within the company. Now, I’m working in HR and Business Operations. It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’m really enjoying the new challenges and working in a more people-focused role. I’m also part of a great team and excited for future learning and training opportunities to help me grow further in this role.

Q: Who has been the most significant mentor in your career, and what valuable lessons did you learn from them?

A: Cheesy answer (which I’ll firmly deny if it ever gets back to him!), but my dad has been my greatest mentor. He’s always worked hard and had many successful ventures, as well as some less successful ones, but he taught me to never give up. His lesson that hard work pays off, even if it sometimes takes a while to see the results, has stuck with me.

Q: What is your greatest strength in your role, and how do you leverage it?

A: Having been with the company for a long time, I’m well-known to a lot of the employees here. This makes my current role much easier, as a big part of my job involves talking to people across the business.

Q: If you could trade jobs with any team member for a day, who would it be and why?

A: Ishan (Comline Group Managing Director) – rumour has it, his snack drawer is way better stocked than mine!

Q: What is the most memorable advice you’ve ever received in your career, and how has it influenced you?

A: “It’s OK to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.” We all try to avoid mistakes, but it’s important to remember that we’re only human, and mistakes happen. Looking at them as “learning moments” and giving yourself the chance to grow from them is key to personal development. Knowing I may make mistakes, but that I will learn from them, has helped me grow within the business and given me more confidence to push myself and try new things.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A: I love creating things and spend quite a lot of time outside of work making cards or gifts for family and friends. When I’m not doing that, I’m usually binge-watching a new series or reading a crime thriller!

Q: What do you keep in your snack drawer?

A: Bounty (no one ever wants to steal a Bounty), crisps and breakfast biscuits!

Q: What superpower would you like to have and why?

A: At the moment, I’d love to fly so I could avoid the endless traffic on my way to work!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our team members.