Victoria Billings, director of marketing for Worcester Bosch, says she hopes to be a role-model for other women in business.

Vic, 38, has been with Worcester Bosch for 16 years, joining the company in 2003, and is from the area, growing up in Worcester and Droitwich before going to Cardiff University.

Looking back on how it all started, she said: “I had been abroad studying & after completing my degree, I came home and saw Worcester Bosch were advertising for a maternity cover for six months or so.

“I went for an interview and got the job.”

In 2005, when she was just 24, Vic became marketing manager, something she believes was good for her despite her relative lack of managerial experience.

She said: “I was given an opportunity and so I believe it is really important that if you spot someone with talent at an early stage, then you can give them a chance.

“Some workplaces focus on having the experience first but I think it is really important that if the person is right, you can mentor and develop them into the role.

“For me it was good to be thrown in at the deep end, so to speak, but I had some great mentors who supported me along the way.”

Vic took time out from work when she had her two daughters, but returned afterwards, feeling strongly that women do not have to put their careers on hold after having a family.

She said: “It can be a real challenge to get back into work after having kids, one big juggling act.

“I was very fortunate to have a great support network in place with my husband and both sets of parents being able to help out with childcare.

“A lot of women have the ambition to continue with their careers after having children so I want to show you can climb back onto that ladder if you believe in yourself and have the support of a good company.

"They know the value of work-life balance and ultimately that my family always come first.

“I am very fortunate, not everyone has that opportunity, but if you have the support network to help you, you do not have to give up on your dreams.”

READ MORE:

Worcester Bosch donates to city foodbank

Worcester Bosch has been Vic’s working home now for 16 years, and she describes the company as a ‘big family’.

She said: “We have got many ‘lifers’ here at Worcester Bosch, one of my colleagues for instance has been here for 35 years so it really is somewhere you can come to work, feel happy and add value.”

Vic is also chair of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, a charity set up by Jennifer Kelly, whose young daughter Grace died from cancer at the age of just four.

Vic said: “I knew Jen through going to antenatal classes together and we became very good friends.

“We spent a lot of time together as young mums do and so when Grace died it was devastating.

“Anything I could do to help a friend I wanted to do, so I have part of the charity since the start and chair for nearly two years now.”

For more information about the trust, go to www.gkcct.org/

For more information about the Worcester Bosch, go to www.worcester-bosch.co.uk