THG’s Post

From joining THG in November 2011 till now, I can happily say that deciding to take an apprenticeship with THG was the best decision and opportunity to kickstart my career at the age of 17. Even though it's close to 13 years of service, I still have very clear and fond memories of the beginning. My interview with my still current manager, Martin Culkin, took place in the shared reception area of Meridian House (for those of you that don’t know, we shared a building with Nationwide at the time). My first day was memorable, not only because there wasn’t space next to my boss. I was placed halfway across the office opposite the communal Xbox 360 where I witnessed many of the Sean Gilraine and Matthew Moulding FIFA matches. Eventually, we managed to get a new desk put in, and this was the first time I was welcomed into what was then called the ‘Engine Room’. I had the privilege of working around some very talented people back then who are now the success stories of THG, such as Adam Knappy, Martin Culkin. The chance to work around these types of people gave me a real sense of the working attitude you should take towards your everyday work. That’s not to say we didn’t have our share of laughs. Like the time I got banned from the group bake sale for spiking a steak pie with the world’s hottest chili extract, or our frequent meetings in the infamous Meridian boiler room due to a shortage of meeting spaces. We even conducted interviews there! One unforgettable moment was when Jon Parton, our finance director at the time, spotted a spider mid-meeting and nearly re-enacted a cartoon-style escape, almost running through a wall. Working at THG has taught me invaluable lessons. I’ve learned the importance of adaptability, the power of teamwork, and the value of relentless hard work. These lessons have shaped me into the professional I am today. One of the career highlights has been witnessing THG’s incredible growth. From turning over £143m when I first joined to c.£2.1b in FY24, the journey has been phenomenal. Being part of this success story is something I take immense pride in. THG has always had the ethos of hard work and grind, and this is a testament to the business THG has built and ingrained into its people, including myself. Yes, it's hard, and yes, we face new challenges every day, but that’s why people like me stay. It feels like a new job every year, just the way the company pivots and deals with tough challenges or new opportunities. I can happily say I am THG through and through. I am proud to be part of the story, and I can't wait to see what the next decade holds for THG. Here’s to many more years of growth, challenges, and success! #20Years20Stories #WeAreTHG #THG20