Karen May-Wilcox 25 years with OGL Software

We caught up with Karen to find out more about her time at OGL so far:

"Way, way back, when reading the local paper, Ray noticed a small advertisement in the Classified page for a trainer.  The seed of inspiration came over me, and I thought ‘I’ll go for it’.  I had all the usual doubts and self-questioning, but I was made very comfortable during the interviews and was offered the job.  Having accepted, I threw myself wholeheartedly into the role and I’m still here after 25 years!

I have been very fortunate to be able to take on different roles during my time at OGL, from working on Support, being involved with the initial testing and training of prof.ITplus, being Team Leader within the Delivery Team and now Skills and Development Coach with the Profit4 Team.

I think my biggest achievement was during my prof.ITplus days, when I was asked to project manage and train a site called CCF.  There was an awful lot of bespoke programming required, and it was a real challenge, but it gave me a taste of managing a project and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My favourite aspect of the role?  Well, it has to be the wonderful people that I have worked with over the years.  Many have moved on to other careers, some have kept in touch, others are still with OGL; but working with lovely people makes all the difference."

Karen's manager, Carl Hillier, added: "I am delighted we are celebrating an incredible milestone with Karen May-Wilcox as she marks 25 years with OGL.

Reaching 25 years with any business is a remarkable achievement, but what makes Karen's contribution particularly special is the impact she has had on the people around her throughout those years. Karen is one of those rare individuals who has become synonymous with knowledge, support, and professionalism. Whether the conversation is about Profit4, prof.ITplus, a challenging customer situation, or simply seeking advice, Karen has always been one of the first people many of us turn to.

During my time working with Karen, she has consistently been that dependable, trusted person who is always willing to help. Her calm, positive, and nurturing attitude has helped guide countless customers and colleagues through both simple and complex situations. No matter the challenge, Karen approaches it with patience, understanding, and a genuine desire to achieve the best outcome for everyone involved.

Over the past 25 years, Karen has built exceptional relationships across the business. Her ability to connect with customers, understand their needs, and provide reassurance has earned her enormous respect. Equally, the relationships she has built internally are a testament to the kind of colleague she is. Karen has always been someone who brings people together, shares her knowledge freely, and helps others grow and develop in their roles.

One of Karen's greatest strengths is her adaptability. She has worked with countless customers, projects, teams, and individuals over the years, yet she always has the ability to tailor her approach to the situation and the person she is working with. Her professionalism, empathy, and natural ability to communicate effectively have made her a valuable member of the business for 25 years.

Karen's sense of humour is another quality that so many of us appreciate. Even during the busiest or most challenging times, she has a way of bringing positivity to the situation and putting people at ease. Her ability to balance professionalism with warmth is one of the many reasons she is so well respected.

Many of us can trace parts of our own development back to Karen's guidance and support. Personally, I remember my first few months in the Farmhouse being trained by Karen. Like many others before and after me, I benefited from her patience, knowledge, and willingness to invest her time in helping others succeed. Her influence extends far beyond the projects she has delivered, it can be seen in the development and success of so many colleagues who have learned from her over the years.

Karen's contribution to OGL cannot simply be measured by the number of years she has worked here. It can be measured by the customers she has supported, the relationships she has built and the colleagues she has mentored. She has played an important role in shaping the success of OGL and helping countless customers get the very best from our software solutions.

On behalf of everyone at OGL, thank you, Karen, for your dedication, professionalism and support over the last 25 years.

Congratulations on reaching this amazing milestone, and here's to many more successes ahead."

Sharon Moreno, COO added: "Congratulations, Karen, on reaching this remarkable milestone of 25 years with OGL.

I can still picture, as though it were yesterday, the day you joined the business and the two of us working together to implement prof.ITplus for our customers. Over the years, there have been many adventures, and we've had the pleasure of working with some wonderful customers along the way - a firm favourite being Norman at Hay & Brecon Farmers for both of us.

You have also achieved great success through your ongoing mentoring within the business, developing and preparing our implementers to navigate both the highs and the occasional challenges of getting our customers successfully up and running on prof.ITplus and Profit4.

I know everyone will join me in congratulating you on your achievements, dedication, and loyalty to both the business and our customers. Your approach to your role has been unwavering throughout the years, and for that, we are truly grateful."

‍