Team Spotlight: Nita Attwood – 40 years and counting at Haddonstone

Nita, you first joined Haddonstone 40 years ago!

Could you tell us why you joined the company and what your role was when you started?

I joined Haddonstone on Monday 23rd June 1980, as Bob Barrow’s Secretary/PA.

I was working for a company called Canada Dry at the time (part of the Bass Charrington Group).  Their zone office was moving out of Northampton and I needed to find another position nearer to my home at Spratton in Northamptonshire.

Bob thought at the time that I was too young and I wouldn’t stay…how wrong he was!

You now manage the Haddonstone Home and Garden sales team.

Could you describe a typical day or week and what you enjoy most about your role?

Home and Garden sales can vary dramatically from day to day.

I spend a lot of time talking to customers over the telephone and helping them select the right home and garden designs for their particular outside space.  I also take orders and show our visitors around our beautiful Show Gardens at East Haddon.  Then there is of course all the internal administration duties for the sales team.

Haddonstone has grown significantly in the 40 years.

Can you describe some of the changes and developments you’ve seen over the years?

Initially when I joined Haddonstone, the reception and sales team were in the area of the original entrance to The Forge House, East Haddon.

The bungalow at the top of the car park was a private residence with no upper floor.  The marketing office was the studio and the mould shop was in the courtyard at the back of the Manor House.  We had a smaller factory at Upper Harlestone, Northampton and at that time we also still had a shop and a post office in the village!

You have been with Haddonstone for a long time!

Tell us a bit about why you love working for Haddonstone.

Wow – where do we start?!

Having a wonderful working environment at East Haddon is amazing.

Haddonstone being a family run business is also wonderful.

Working with our fellow colleagues – our professionalism and creativity in all areas.

Our quality product and working with all walks of life also ticks a lot of the boxes! ☺

The Show Gardens are a beautiful space and we are very lucky to have them at our head office.

Can you describe what makes them so special?

How to describe our wonderful Show Gardens and place of work?

I would say it makes you PROUD.  They are UNIQUE and very INSPIRATIONAL.

Have you had any memorable career highlights at Haddonstone?

Working at the worldwide prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show is a top highlight of my career.  Also other shows and exhibitions such as Decorex at Syon Park, BBC Gardeners World Live, GLEE, Hotel & Design, RHS Malvern, House & Garden at Olympia, to name but a few.

Meeting, like I have said earlier, all walks of life in person, on the telephone, at other shows and exhibitions and in our Show Gardens, at East Haddon.  This has included top interior and garden designers, landscapers, hotels, and private, prestigious clients ranging from HRH’s to celebrities.

Also, working alongside the National Trust, English Heritage and Historic House Association.

Finally, partnering with the Sir John Soanes Museum on our special collection with them.

If you had to pick one favourite Haddonstone design from our collection, what would it be and why?

WOW this is difficult to answer!

As I love Victorian and Gothic styles, I would have to say our Victorian Trough and Support and our Gothic Urn and Base – can I have TWO!?

What do you think makes Haddonstone so special?

We are the whole package from enquiry to delivery.  Working in a wonderful, unique, inspirational, professional, creative and caring company.

We offer classical and contemporary designs for all sizes of homes and gardens, and for both interior and exterior situations.

P – Passion and enthusiasm

A – Ability to work as a team

S – Sales are our lifeblood

S – Skills, expertise and experience

I – Improving constantly

O – Obsessive about quality

N – Need to communicate

Let us help you choose your perfect designs

Nita and the rest of our friendly and experienced team are available to help you to choose the perfect cast stone designs for your outside space.

Simply contact us during office hours, or request a call back and our team will be in touch at a time to suit you: