We'd like to give a warm welcome to new HPP recruits Neal Smeathers and David Munro, who have joined our expanding IT department.
Neal and David have both become IT systems developers after making career changes and said they are excited to beginning their new roles.
Neal (35) previously worked in retail for 18 years but wanted a new career in IT. He took part in a technology 'boot camp' in Manchester last year to further his ambitions.
He said: "I have a keen interest in software development and related practices. On the boot camp, I enjoyed working with databases, which ultimately led me to applying for a role with HPP.
"Now with HPP I'm enjoying getting the opportunity to learn new IT skills, which is really important to me. It's also good to get involved with HPP from a business perspective and learn how everything works, rather than working on tutorials unconnected to real-life business. It's also really nice to have a new career with regular hours."
Neal attended Cheadle Hulme High School in Stockport and now lives in Salford. He supports Manchester City and also enjoys NFL American football and films. Other interests include aviation, architecture and engineering. His partner is from Dukinfield, Tameside, and they have a seven month-old daughter.
David (49), from Mossley, Tameside, has previously worked as a self-employed internet marketer, an insurance broker and a bus driver. In the early 2000s he ran a community campaign to get his hometown's local exchange broadband-enabled.
David said: "My new role with HPP involves implementing new and improving existing systems to enable the business to work more efficiently.
"HPP seems like a great business to develop a career, with lots of variety and each day offering different challenges. Everyone has been really friendly and helpful."
His hobbies include golf and football.
We hope both Neal and David enjoy themselves in their new roles and that their coding skills will help further improve and streamline our production and logistics processes.