Suzanne Beese

“A good day for me at Discovery is feeling like I’ve made a difference, and helped people never lose sight of what we’re here for.“

After leaving college I worked for a Retirement Housing Association as a lettings assistant. After two years, an opportunity arose with them to apply for a housing manager role to cover maternity leave. At that time I had no formal housing qualifications but I knew this was the path I wanted to take. I was lucky to be successful and the role became permanent. Over the following 20 years, I continued to build my career with the same organisation eventually managing teams of up to 40 staff.

Then, after a spell of redundancy, I applied for and got a role as Locality Manager at Dimensions. When the Somerset project (as it was at the time) came along, I threw my hat in the ring as a Project Manager. When we won the tender with Somerset County Council, the role morphed naturally into being Luke’s Executive Assistant. The role is so much more than note taking and diary management; with my operational background I often feel I have something to offer – sometimes keeping our executive colleagues’ feet on the ground! – and I know my opinions are valued.

“I’ve worked with some great people along the way and made a difference in people’s lives. I never knew I had such a caring and compassionate side until I started working in the social housing sector and I am so proud of what I achieved.”

When I look back, I was so young and perhaps a little naïve, however, my confidence grew over the years and I learnt mainly on the job. No one knows it all to begin with and having a list of qualifications is definitely not necessary – confidence, recognising your own abilities, determination, and of course enjoying what you do, is sometimes all you need. If you want something, go for it!”