Celebrating Michelle Stuart's 15-year anniversary at OGL!

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

"I applied for a role at OGL online and was interviewed by Sally Donders and Gary Haynes. Fast forward 15 years, and I’ve come full circle – we're all back working closely together again! Ashok later joined the interview and really put me through my paces, but I must have done something right, as I was offered the job that very same day!

Since then, I’ve proudly worked in the Sales Ledger role for the full 15 years. I was lucky enough to be trained by Sally – and she clearly set me up well, because I’m still here and loving the job! Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to train several others who've stepped into the role – including Megan – which has been incredibly rewarding.

The role has evolved massively since I first started. From Anzio to prof.ITplus and Sunrise; from manually processing cheques and piles of contracts to importing direct debits and automated billing – it's amazing to see how far we’ve come. Tasks that once took hours now take seconds. The constant evolution has kept the role interesting and varied, and I’ve had to adapt to a number of new technologies along the way.

One of the things I’ve valued most during my time at OGL is the people. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some truly fantastic colleagues, many of whom have become lifelong friends – almost like a second family.

Over the years, I’ve celebrated some major milestones while working here, from my 30th birthday to the birth of my son, Harry – who’s now 10! OGL was incredibly supportive during that time, allowing me to return to work on a part-time basis, which made a huge difference to me.

We’re lucky to have such a great working environment in our office – there’s always plenty of laughter and banter. Whether it’s Julie’s random remarks, Sally’s sharp sense of humour, or Megan breaking into song, there’s never a dull moment. It’s that positive atmosphere and strong team spirit that make it such an enjoyable place to work each day.

It’s been a fantastic journey so far, filled with growth, change, and amazing memories. I’m proud to have been part of OGL’s story – and I’m excited to see what the next 15 years will bring!"

Michelle's manager, Megan Weaver, commented: "I joined OGL on Michelle’s 11-year anniversary – a fitting welcome gift, you could say – and she was one of the very first people I met. We were originally stationed side by side in the TV Building at the Kidderminster site, separated only by the plastic COVID screens (now that’s a blast from the past!).

Michelle was the one who trained me up on Sales Ledger, and from day one, I was struck by her incredible attention to detail and the depth of her knowledge. I was genuinely amazed at just how varied the role is – and how much of it she had mastered!

One thing that’s always stood out about Michelle is that she questions everything – and I mean that in the best possible way. She never just does something for the sake of it. There’s always thought behind her actions, a logic to her decisions, and a genuine drive to understand the “why” behind the process. It makes her an invaluable team member and a constant source of insight and improvement.

Over the years, she’s shared stories from her 15 years at OGL – like the days of printed contract piles and when most payments came in by cheque. It’s a real testament to how much things have changed, and how brilliantly Michelle has adapted and evolved with those changes.

She’s very much the “mum” of the team – always looking out for everyone, offering advice, and making sure we’re all doing okay (whether we’ve asked her to or not!). Her mix of care, wisdom, and just the right amount of sarcasm keeps us grounded and laughing in equal measure.

One memory that will always stick with me is sending her a text about the company split and our office move – while she was on holiday in Portugal! It’s become a running joke now that something always seems to happen when she’s away.

Michelle is incredibly hard-working and deeply committed to OGL, and she’s demonstrated that time and again throughout her time here. I’m extremely proud to celebrate this milestone with her – congratulations on 15 years, Michelle, and here’s to the next chapter (and hopefully some peaceful holidays)!"

Gary Haynes added: “Michelle joined OGL when I was Management Accountant and very quickly became an integral part of the Finance Team in her role as Sales Ledger Administrator.

Michelle plays a vital role in the billing process, and her exceptional accuracy and attention to detail have made her a trusted and respected member of the team. A lot has changed over the years in our invoicing processes and the systems we use, but Michelle’s commitment to maintaining high standards remains a constant.

I’d like to personally thank Michelle for her hard work, and dedication throughout the last 15 years. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement! ”