Name: Lydia Burgess
Job title: HR and Data Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a Manc through and through but moved to Hull late June to live with my partner, Albert. We met a year previous through the love of the beautiful game. I am currently challenging myself to attend all 92 league grounds in the English Football League which has been harder since my club, Oldham Athletic, were relegated to the National League in 2022. However, my current standing is 65. Alongside football, I have a love for music and, being a Manchester girl, I was brought up on OASIS, Courteeners, The Smiths and Blossoms. If I’m not at a game on a Saturday, you’ll find me at a gig.
Describe your job to a five-year-old
I make sure people are happy and doing the right thing at their workplace.
What do you like most about your job?
I like that no day is ever the same and that there is always something different. That, and the fact the team are brilliant and no matter what you deal with, there is always someone to help and make you laugh.
How did you get here?
I had always known I wanted to work with people but didn’t know how. I started a hospitality management course in college whilst working at a 4 AA rosettes restaurant in town, and I quickly realised I loved seeing people happy, but I wanted to be able to do more than that for two hours before I never saw them again. Then lockdown started (college stopped) and I ended up having a call with a HR manager in hospitality to understand her job more and I loved the sound of her role with people. Six months later, she was my boss! A year later, I then moved into HR within education and what a whirlwind that was. However, travelling up the M62 every weekend to see my partner was a lot of work on top. I then made the decision I was moving to Hull; I saw the Ideal Standard job advertised and liked what I read about the company as well as the job. I came for my interview (never thought I would stand a chance) and 48 hours later had been offered the role. We hadn’t even started looking for a place. The nerves set in, but it’s been an amazing start!
What motivates you?
My family – I want to make them proud.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Micky Mellon – Oldham Athletic manager, who wouldn’t want to manage their club!
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film
“Six acres of concrete wasteland, One sunflower standing tall.” – Concrete Love by The Courteeners.
Your favourite app?
Spotify – I always love a boogie.
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
When I first started at Ideal Standard, I was having a conversation with a colleague in the office about their age, got my words wrong and said that they didn’t look 85… they are only 58!