Blakedale | Lights, Camera, Action!

As Fleet Maintenance Manager for Blakedale Limited, Vicky Brown’s job usually sees her work behind the scenes, but on her days off she steps in front of the camera as a TV Extra. In a special interview for Highways Industry, Vicky talks about her varied work schedule and what attracted her to a career in the highways industry:

How did you become Fleet Maintenance Manager at Blakedale?

I joined Blakedale eight years ago as a Fleet Admin Assistant. I was looking for a challenge in a role where I could make a name for myself and grow with the company, while developing my skills. Back then, Blakedale was a small company with big plans, and I was excited to get on board and go along for the journey.

Today, Blakedale’s hire fleet of Traffic Management and Support Vehicles has grown to over 200, and are used by TM contractors, ASC/M contractors and local authorities nationally.

Luckily, Blakedale is able to recognise a job well done and supports employees to develop into and progress within their roles. After a lot of hard work, an eye for detail and always putting the customer first, Blakedale promoted me to Fleet Maintenance Manager.

I now supervise my own team of Fleet Admin Assistants who do the work that I started in, so I have a first-hand understanding of what their jobs entail. I enjoy seeing them grow in confidence within their roles and I have made some really great friends with people in my department.

Describe a typical day?

As Fleet Maintenance Manager, I am responsible for overseeing and managing the maintenance schedules of Blakedale’s vehicles whilst they are out on hire. What I love most about my role is that no day is ever the same.

Most of my time is spent looking ahead at PMI’s, MOT’s and any other planned maintenance, as well as liaising with our customers and technicians, and providing advice over the phone, to resolve any unexpected faults, breakdowns or accident damage.

My main aim is to keep all the vehicles working and to make the operators, drivers and foremen’s jobs a little easier, hopefully!

How did you become a TV Extra?

I had always loved Drama as a child but left the acting dream behind when it was time to ‘get a real job’. Towards the end of 2014 I noticed a window in my hectic schedule and thought, why not give it another go! The rest is history.

What TV programmes have you appeared in?

I have so far appeared in Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Real Housewives of Cheshire and a Hollywood film, which is due out this year.

Is it as glamorous as it sounds?

I find it really interesting and exciting, but there is a lot of waiting around. Patience is key!  But I love seeing how a film or programme is put together, as well as having laughs with the camera crew.

Who is the most famous person you have met?

Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of the Titans). I also went to the same school as Ben Batt who recently starred in the BBC drama The Go-Between. Hopefully he would remember me if I ever encounter him on a set in the future!

Going back to your highways career, what are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job at Blakedale?

My favourite part of the job is problem solving. I like to go the extra mile for our customers.  There is nothing more rewarding than hearing a happy customer on the end of the phone.

What do you think needs to be done to challenge the stereotype that highways is a man’s industry?

I personally think the industry has come a long way in the last 20+ years. Women are involved in virtually every type of role from Traffic Management Operatives to Managing Directors. So I feel there are just as many women in the highways industry as men now, which is fantastic!

For more information about Blakedale’s Traffic Management and Support Vehicles, please visit www.roadsafety.co.uk.