Team talk with Steph Atkin

This month, we speak to our Key Account Manager, Steph Atkin, who looks after our large group customers. Here we find out about her years of industry experience, what she gets up to in her free time and what she loves about Victory…

How did you end up in the leisure home industry? 

I was living abroad and decided that I wanted to come home and pursue a career in the UK. I was lucky enough to be offered a new role based on my interests in business development, rather than my experience. From there, I was eventually offered a role in the holiday home industry. While I was at university, I never thought I'd be in this industry, but here we are, and I love it!

What brought you to Victory? 

What really drew me to Victory was their reputation for being a disruptor in the industry. They’re doing something different and this shines through the products and culture. You walk into one of the homes and you can instantly see that Victory is doing things that really do make them stand apart. The team are also great which helps.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I’m looking forward to building relationships with our large park groups as well as creating consistency across our park network. We’re already making huge steps towards this and all the hard work that’s going on in the background will help us get to that point. I’m excited to be a part of this because I know how much our customers will benefit from the changes we’re making.

What’s your favourite Victory home and why?

Obviously the Lakewood! It’s our best seller and for good reason. The style of it, especially the sliding doors into the bathroom, make it unique so there’s no wonder why it’s a firm favourite amongst our customers. 

Having said that, the Lochwood is a real underdog. Galley kitchens are like Marmite, but it really works in the Lochwood. It makes such great use of the space, offering fantastic storage solutions like under-seat storage in the dining area, but not compromising on things like a king size bed and large L-shaped sofa.

What are the biggest challenges in your role and how do you overcome them?   

The competitiveness of the market keeps us on our toes. The pandemic saw a lot of unpredictability, but we saw it as an opportunity, redesigned our full range, and it paid off. There’s no question that the market is challenging but that’s what we love. We’ve still got an entrepreneurial mindset and an agile way of working so we can make quick decisions and help our customers when they need it.

Where would you recommend going on a staycation and why?

A hidden gem for me is the Lincolnshire Wolds. It’s not spoken about in the same way as your usual holiday destinations which is surprising because its beautiful. There are quaint towns like Woodhall Spa and Market Rasen, as well as the untouched rolling countryside that’s never too busy with tourists. It’s not too far from the coast either, so it’s a suitable destination for every member of the family.

What motivates you in your role?

Getting great feedback from customers, dealers and the Victory team drives me because knowing that I’m doing a good job, is what gets me out of bed in a morning.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

My family has always lived by the motto ‘don’t let anything grind you down’ and so I’m always looking to approach everything head on and give it my all.

What do you do in your spare time?

I’m a self-confessed property fanatic. I bring out my inner Kirsty Allsopp and do everything I can to make the most of my living space. Whether it be decorating, gardening, or looking for my next renovation project on Rightmove, a lot of my free time goes into it! Aside from that, my partner and I like to travel to the Moors, Lake District and the Yorkshire Wolds and go walking with the dog. We try to go abroad at least two times a year but nothing beats a Great British staycation.

Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? Why?

Unsurprisingly, I’d become a full time property developer and go on a few holidays!