Carly Semple has just joined the award-winning team at Scotwood Interiors as its first female Contracts Co-ordinator in 50 years of trading. In what is generally considered to be a male-oriented industry, Carly says her new role at the company headquarters in East Kilbride is a perfect fit with her training and experience; “It’s all about delivering the best fit-out results through efficient ordering and pricing and I’m excited about managing that side of the work for a company with a great reputation.”
After studying interior design at Glasgow Caledonian University, Carly found that her combination of technical skills with training in contract-handling and H&S had made her industry-ready. Carly has already notched up three years’ of experience in the industry and she said: “I’m bringing good core skills to Scotwood. I’m trained in reading technical drawings and ordering site materials and will begin this role by researching suppliers and tightening up on orders relating to all our flooring, glass partitioning and electrical contracts. Our customers want quality product at best prices and that’s where I come in.”
Just 26, Carly started at Scotwood on her birthday and says the team made a huge fuss of her. “There were welcoming banners and I realised it’s like joining a family.” Scotwood has an employee turnover rate of only 2% and her predecessor was in post for 20 years.
Carly recently completed a 10-week course learning and refreshing IT and digital skills at City of Glasgow College. She said: “I enjoy learning new skills. This role offers tremendous opportunity for me as a young professional and also to the company, where I intend to make a real contribution – I’m fortunate to have joined a dynamic business like Scotwood and look forward to playing my part in its continuing success.”