Victoria Cope, Compliance Manager Promotion Interview

Can you share a little about your journey with KTL?

I joined KTL in February 2023 as a SHEQ Coordinator. After being made redundant from a compliance role at another telecoms company, I was keen to stay in the industry and to develop in my career and KTL seemed like the perfect fit! Prior to working in telecoms, I worked in nuclear, and this is when I first became interested in compliance.   

What specific skills or qualities do you believe played a significant role in your promotion, and how have you developed or honed those skills over the years?

I am very organised and enjoy planning and problem solving, which I think has been an asset to the SHEQ team since I joined. Since joining KTL, I have worked hard to make improvements in various areas such as reporting, planning, and communications. I believe that I am approachable and enthusiastic and I have built up good relationships within the business in the time that I have been here.

How has KTL supported your growth and development?

As soon as I joined KTL, it was clear to me that developing its employees is a real priority for the company. One of the first questions I was asked was ‘what do I like doing’ and ‘where do I see myself in the company’, which was really refreshing. This has allowed me to take ownership of my career and shape it into one that works for me and KTL. Over recent months, I have completed ISO lead auditor training and various other modules. I have visited sites, attended industry events, and worked closely with the SHEQ team enabling me to develop my knowledge and skills.

As you transition into your new role, what are some of the key responsibilities?

My key responsibilities include management of KTL’s ISO management systems, external audits, and new accreditations. It’s exciting to be able to focus on these areas and put together a plan to ensure that they are the best that they can be and provide the right support to the business. I will also be responsible for supplier audits, risks, and issues along with the SHEQ improvement plan. I am also keeping an open mind regarding anything else that may come my way as the role develops!

What advice do you have for other employees who aspire to grow and advance within KTL?

There are plenty of opportunities for progression within KTL. KTL are happy to invest in you and your career. If that’s what you are looking for, develop a plan and work with your line manager to ensure you have the time and everything you need to achieve your goals.

Can you share any memorable experiences or projects from your previous position that have helped shape your journey with KTL?

Early on in my time at KTL, we were recertified to ISO 45001, 14001 and 9001 for Health and Safety, Environmental and Quality. Although a daunting process, I thoroughly enjoyed it. We received excellent feedback from the auditors, and I was proud of the engagement from the business and what we achieved.

What are your goals and aspirations for the future, and how does this promotion align with those ambitions?

I am always eager to learn and progress. I am planning to do further training this year, starting with NEBOSH. I will also be doing more site visits to develop my knowledge in this area. I am keen to improve our management system, so it is important to me that I have a wide knowledge of activities within KTL. As this is a new role to KTL, I am excited to see it develop and where it will take me.