Page 16 - BOSS Today Issue 25

BOSS Awards 2014

PROFESSIONAL

OF THE YEAR:

DEBBIE NICE

inning the are a critical part of the supply
Professional of chain, so adapting to these (eg
Wthe Year Award opening the Lutterworth depot
was “a real treat” for Debbie and all the acquisitions we have
Nice, Category Head (Facilities had) has been a huge challenge.
Supplies) at Vasanta: “I wouldn’t When you are younger it’s
have nominated myself for this. I probably more difficult to deal
would have been far too humble with, but when you are older
to do that: I’m not as vain as you have learned from what
people think! So, when Vasanta has happened before and are
said they wanted to nominate able to help the people who
me, I thought, “Wow! That’s have not yet been through such
really nice!” Then, when I got changes.”
shortlisted, I dared not imagine Indeed, continued change –
that I would win it, so I went in and continued opportunities to
there thinking, “Try not to get I’ve also tried to be passionate was really encouraged, and I both learn and lead – are very
too excited!” But I was sitting at about what I do and to be as also got to work with some much in the immediate road
a table with Paul and Karen from communicative as possible, using really great people who inspired ahead for Nice: “I am looking
AF and their guests, who spent LinkedIn and other social media me and helped me with my forward to being part of the
the evening winding me up, to keep in touch with dealers career. It was also a time when bigger, expanded business and
telling me that I could win. It was that I don’t get to see that often. the dealer group conferences me and my team will look to
a really nice surprise, and peoples’ I would hope that I am seen as tended to be overseas, so I got maximise the potential that
reactions were lovely.” being quite approachable and to go (with my husband Paul) to there is in the FS category. I
Having spent most of her that I listen to what people have Portugal, Marbella and Cyprus on would hope that we will be very
working life in the OP industry, got to say and try and take it on business!” much on the vendors’ radar now,
the award is particularly board wherever possible.” In an industry where constant with the increased size of the
meaningful for Nice: “The great Her career to date in the change is here to stay, Nice has business. But I’ll also be trying to
thing about these Awards is that OP industry has certainly seen seen more than most, and it is maintain my work/life balance:
they do go to people who are some highlights, not least of this that she regards as having I’m going to keep up my
passionate about the industry which were the ‘early days’ of been her biggest challenge and running and maybe enter some
– people who have dedicated the Kingfield business, when learning opportunity: “The key races in future. If you are going
a lot of time and really care it grew from £30m to £100m: thing has been maintaining to remain sane at work you have
about the office supplies market. “Back then, entrepreneurialism ‘business as usual’ because VOW to have a good home life, too!”

16 BOSS TODAY | December 2014/January 2015

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