FSL Aerospace’s Managing Director, Carly Prickett, has narrowly missed out on being crowned UK Private Business Woman of the Year.
Carly was one of just seven nominees shortlisted from 1100 candidates to make it through to the national final of the glittering black-tie awards ceremony in London.
Carly joined FSL, lead suppliers of aerospace fasteners, as Client Services Manager in 2008. She worked as Purchasing and Administration Manager and then took over responsibility for HR having completed a diploma in HR and became an associate member of the CIPD. She took over as Managing Director in 2015 after Tim Halliday, the founder of the business, retired.
Since taking up the role of MD, Carly has seen FSL’s turnover almost triple, with the company securing an enviable 99.3 per cent right-first-time rate and an equally impressive 98.23 per cent on-time-in-full.
Carly also led the team which is responsible for implementing Supply Chain for the 21st Century (SC21) with the company securing its 7th.consecutive SC21 award.
Carly cites taking over from Tim, and overseeing a restructure, whilst also been a mother to two young girls, as her biggest challenge.
Tim Halliday, FSL’s Chairman, said: “I am so proud of Carly. It’s no mean feat to be shortlisted from a field of 1100 candidates. The judges clearly saw the same strength and passion that I did when I appointed her as MD three years ago. She worked her way up through the business and had the respect and buy-in from staff and clients. She has taken FSL from strength to strength and I couldn’t be prouder of her or the fantastic team at FSL! Traditionally our sector can be quite male dominated, so Carly is a great role model for any woman out there considering a career in the industry.”
Carly Prickett, FSL’s MD, said: “It was fantastic to attend the awards ceremony and I have to give a massive thanks to the team at FSL for making it possible. I might be at the helm but each and every member of staff contributes to FSL’s success! Our staff are our number one asset and we are like a family. It’s their excellent client service that has helped us make FSL the company it is today. Indeed, clients regularly compliment us on our happy and cooperative staff who want to deliver time and time again!”
Carly’s main interest is in people development. FSL always conducted biannual appraisals, but she built on this by driving the process to create company values, which all staff now carry with them in the form of a credit card-type aide memoir.
From this she developed a skills matrix where all the skills of every employee are recorded, even those not directly relevant to their current jobs. This enables the company to draw on these skills in the future. Carly has also developed a company training plan.
The UK Private Business Awards, sponsored by PwC, celebrate the best in the private sector and highlight the achievements of individuals and companies. The event recognises the importance of private companies to the UK economy and is attended by CEOs and entrepreneurs from every region of the UK.
