Murton & Co’s client account manager Kelly Gannon is a whizz at spreadsheets and ensures clients and staff recognise the company’s worth

What is your background?

I was working for a timber importer before I started here two years ago, but the move wasn’t great timing because Operations Director Caroline got Covid, so I had to do my induction from home. We also had a meeting with the company’s biggest portfolio client on my first day when I was handed a huge Excel spreadsheet with 100 different properties on it that I needed to schedule for surveys. I was really thrown in at the deep end and the pace hasn’t really let up since then.

What skills do you need for your role?

I had to deal with scores of documents in the timber importing business, making sure shipments were where they needed to be, and I’ve used that attention to detail to organise surveys and liaise with clients and their customers. I’m a methodical person and love organising surveys on my colour-coded spreadsheets. I sometimes have to deal with up to 50 emails from people trying to arrange dates and times, but I thrive under pressure and understand everything at a glance. I’m accommodating when plans change, but no-nonsense if people are messing us around. I also love passing on knowledge, and Managing Director Jonny and Caroline appreciated it when I took the reins of our new project management system.

What’s your typical day?

I work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 99.9% of the time at home which suits me as I’m more productive working alone. As well as scheduling, I get lots of telephone inquiries and produce quotations for individuals, firms and big portfolio clients. We have an online Monday morning meeting, so I still feel part of the team and Caroline rings me at least once a day to check in. If I ever feel like I’m getting lonely I know I can go to their office as I only live 20 minutes away, but whenever I do, I know we’ll end up talking for ages before getting any work done!

How has your job evolved?

I didn’t know anything about the energy sector before I started at Murton & Co and I’m still learning but I’ve picked up a lot in the last two years. It’s certainly helped by the fact that Jonny is a great person to learn from as he breaks things down for me, which has built up my confidence. If a prospective client calls to say they’ve got a non-domestic building and need a SAP, I can explain they’ll need an SBEM instead, and I’m confident about producing competitive quotes. I’m from Yorkshire so maybe that’s why I’m very conscious that we’re running a business not a charity and I’ve sometimes had to remind Jonny to value his experience and price accordingly.

What is Murton & Co like to work for?

Picking up the terminology was a challenge at first, but Jonny and Caroline are so patient and passionate about what they do that they always make time to help. Jonny doesn’t look down on me if I’ve had to ask the same question three times; he might joke about it but would never patronise me or lose his temper. When I first started, he took me along to a survey in Lancaster and explained how he measured a building and then showed me how the DesignBuilder software worked which means I have a better understanding of what Murton & Co does. If a client asks on a Wednesday why they still don’t have a report after Jonny’s visit on Monday, I can explain with confidence when they can expect it.

What does the future hold?

I’ve been asked if I’d like to become the office manager when the company grows but I’m reluctant to change my role as I’m good at my job and would find it difficult if my replacement wasn’t meeting my high standards. Caroline and Jonny encourage my professional development and I’m currently doing online Word and Excel courses as well as a British Sign Language course. I only have 20% hearing in one ear, so I was keen to prepare myself for if it got worse and, while Jay has already done the course, Caroline and Jonny are being extra supportive and doing it with me, as a team. That just sums them up and is part of why I absolutely love working here – it just doesn’t feel like it’s a job. I’m excited to see where the company goes with Murton & Courses training, but I know that wherever it is, it’s going to be great.