Rebecca Hughes is the Marketing Director at Talasey. She reflects on her career, how her skills and experiences have grown and evolved, and shares advice for women in the sector.
Reflecting on the start of her career and how she got into the sector, Rebecca says: “I started off somewhat uncertainly after leaving university, stumbling into a project management role for a firm in Sheffield. However, I quickly realised that much of what I was doing leaned heavily into marketing, particularly in terms of communication and community engagement. This realisation sparked my interest in marketing, leading me to join a management consultancy in Doncaster through a knowledge transfer partnership.”
“Over the years, I obtained various CIM qualifications and underwent management training, eventually transitioning into a business development role while still overseeing marketing efforts. My journey through different companies and roles eventually led me to Talasey, where I’ve been for nearly ten years now.”
Talking about diversity and inclusion at Talasey, Rebecca believes flexibility is key. “Diversity and inclusion are essential aspects of our company culture. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.”
“Flexibility is key, whether it’s accommodating individual needs or fostering a supportive work culture. We’ve seen firsthand how offering flexibility and understanding can lead to greater employee satisfaction and loyalty.”
Since joining Talasey, Rebecca has grown and evolved with the company. “When I joined Talasey, the company was relatively small, with just around 20 team members operating out of makeshift offices. Over the years, we’ve experienced significant growth, both in terms of team size and market presence. We’ve expanded our product offerings and rebranded to Talasey, consolidating several brands under one umbrella. Our premises have evolved from those initial makeshift offices to purpose-built facilities, including showrooms and accommodations for customers. Today, Talasey has nearly 100 team members and a state-of-the-art headquarters in Scunthorpe, reflecting our growth and commitment to excellence.”
Looking back at her career at Talasey, Rebecca has two big highlights that she’s very proud of. “The first was being part of the team that oversaw the rebrand of Natural Paving to become the Talasey Group in 2017. Such was the pace at which the business was bringing on new landscaping products to market that Talasey became the overarching brand, under which there were sub-brands for distinct product groups, including Natural Paving, Vitripiazza, Piranha, Pavetuf and Luxigraze.”
“The other was implementing a pilot loyalty programme for roofing merchants during my time as Head of Customer Marketing. The pilot achieved fantastic results with a return on investment of 2:1, and significant increases in sales of the customers involved. Just before I left, the green light was given to roll out the pilot nationally.”
“And if I can squeeze a third highlight in, it’s been building the marketing team I currently work with at Talasey. We have some very talented people who are all committed to supporting our merchant and landscaping customers.”
Rebecca has had many supportive and knowledgeable informal mentors. “While I haven’t had an official mentor, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with supportive colleagues who have steered me along my journey. One standout individual is Stephanie Bolton, a former Director at SIG. She identified my potential and encouraged me to venture beyond my comfort zone, offering invaluable support and motivation.”
“Another influential figure is Mark Wall, the founder and CEO of Talasey, whose insights constantly enrich my understanding of the business world’s commercial dynamics. Mark’s guidance, coupled with the opportunities he has extended to me in my professional capacity, have significantly influenced my career trajectory. For instance, Mark entrusted me with the task of supporting Talasey’s sister company in the USA, and in 2023, he facilitated my transition to the next level professionally by appointing me to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in my current Director position at Talasey.”
Rebecca offers the following advice for individuals, particularly women, starting out in the sector: “My journey into this sector wasn’t straightforward, and I understand it may seem daunting, especially for younger women. However, my advice is not to be discouraged by the perception of it being male-dominated. While there may have been more men initially when I started, I’ve witnessed a significant shift with more women entering the industry over the years. And I must say, they bring a valuable perspective and are great to collaborate with.”
“It’s essential not to let stereotypes deter you. While there might be a higher ratio of men to women, I believe competence should be the sole determinant for any role. I’ve never let the gender balance affect my performance or sense of belonging. For instance, during a recent forum discussion, some women expressed concerns about standing out or feeling the need to overcompensate. However, I’ve always advocated for focusing on merit rather than gender. If someone, regardless of gender, is the right fit for a role, they should be given the opportunity.”
“I won’t deny there have been moments where I’ve felt outnumbered, such as when I attended events dominated by men. But I’ve learned to navigate such situations confidently. It’s about recognising that diversity benefits everyone and ensuring that the best person for the job, regardless of gender, is given the chance to excel.”
