Testimonials

Louise Raycraft has been working at FDM as an Academy Consultant for just over a year. Working in the FDM Academy team, Louise assesses and recruits candidates for our innovative graduate programme. She also organises assessment sessions and carries out company presentations to potential applicants, informing them of the benefits of joining the Academy programme.

“FDM offers a defined career path across many different areas of our company and was the best career decision I could have made. Working in the FDM Academy gives great job satisfaction; to see a candidate you have recruited go through their assessments, training and then get placed working for our clients, makes me feel like I have helped them achieve their own career goals. FDM is a very sociable company and it’s great to work within such an up-beat atmosphere, there are always different events going on! It’s wonderful to be part of a team where my individual hard work is recognised and rewarded.”

Lee Ballancore progressed through the ranks at FDM through the popular ‘trainee to trainer’ route. After gaining an HND, Lee entered FDM’s Academy programme and subsequently worked as a contractor through FDM in the field for three years, before settling in the Brighton Office as an Academy Trainer. Today Lee is FDM’s Academy Global Training Manager, heading up the department and responsible for the transition of trainees through the system, meeting targets, managing technical training streams, the quality assurance of the training programme, working with people across all departments and organising trainers, seminars and controlling courses.

“My current role gives me a lot of diversity in my duties and the huge benefit of interacting and dealing with people on a daily basis. I also have the ability to keep ahead of all things technical and am able to introduce new ideas. My biggest highlight at FDM so far was winning the ‘Employee of the Year’ award in 2008. However I am also immensely proud of winning an eating contest with a colleague a few years back! Overall though my biggest achievement is the progress I have made and just getting to where I am now.”

Lara Plaxton started at FDM Group in June 2008 as HR Executive, but her job title is now HR Manager. Her role involves managing the HR function on a day-to-day basis, making sure employee queries are dealt with and they are given the support they need. She also assists the business by advising managers on best practice and how to deal with HR issues. As well as this, Lara ensures the business operates to its full potential and implements procedures that enable a high-performing workforce and a learning environment that strives for continual development.

“The thing that’s nice about my job is that no one day is the same, you get to work with all areas of the business and there’s always lots of interesting project work to get involved in and make an impact. People here are very approachable and dedicated to their jobs but with a good sense of humour. Although the company has grown a lot over the past few years, FDM has managed what most companies don’t, which is to maintain a ‘family’ atmosphere. Everyone relates to each other as equals rather than having a hierarchy and people are there to support you when you need it.”

Jay Carey is an FDM IT Consultant who entered the Academy Training programme in September 2008, with a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Brighton. He is currently working in Canary Wharf with a leading bank as a .Net Developer.

“I think FDM provides such great opportunities for people like myself to develop a great career in the IT industry, I would never have thought I would be working on the 23rd floor of one of the largest banks in the world if you had asked me a year ago! There is also such a great atmosphere between everyone in the company, with everyone zooming over to the pub on a Friday evening for drinks and all kinds of other social events.”

Lynsey Coppard has been working at FDM Group for nine years and has transitioned between job roles. Initially Lynsey was Head Office Receptionist, but moved into a Sales Support role in a short time, where she was able to provide the sales team with valuable administration, including working on trainee/contractor CVs, inputting details into the billing system and creating checklists. Lynsey currently works as Senior Academy Administrator; answering enquiries, processing applications, sending feedback on applications, preparing for Seminars, supporting trainers with administrative tasks, updating spreadsheets, being a point of contact for trainees, recording and filing paperwork, processing trainee timesheets, and arranging start dates for new trainees to come in-house.

“From the Academy side seeing how the trainees progress through the training programme, from attending the initial interviews and seminars, coming in house and then getting placed at well known client sites, is great. I also love being part of such a friendly working atmosphere.”