Fresh Perspectives: ‘Learn Relentlessly, Absorb Knowledge, and Always Ask Questions’

Three years ago, I took the leap into the print and signage industries, with little experience and no in-depth industry knowledge. Instead, I brought a strong work ethic, a genuine willingness to learn, and the confidence that my transferable skills would allow me to find my feet in a new industry. I am currently the operations manager at IPL (Leeds), having joined the business in 2022.

IPL is primarily an installation company that also offers print services, and my role involves overseeing projects of all sizes, from one-off jobs to large multi-store rollouts.

Prior to this, my career was firmly rooted in retail management. I started as a sales assistant and worked my way up to store manager within three years. Whist retail taught me resilience, people management, and commercial awareness, I reached a point where I felt I had gone as far as I could. I had found myself in a position where I was under constant pressure to deliver but often felt unheard, and I knew I wanted a role with greater autonomy, responsibility, and trust.

Moving into print and signage installation changed everything for me. At IPL, I progressed from office administrator to project co-ordinator, then office manager, and now operations manager – all within three years. Clearly, three is my lucky number when it comes to career milestones! However, that progression didn’t happen by chance. I threw myself into the industry, digesting every job that came through, asking questions, learning the technicalities, and understanding the process from survey to print to installation. I quickly discovered that my ability to juggle multiple priorities, streamline processes, and build strong client relationships could make a real impact.

One of my proudest achievements so far has been helping to reshape how we organise the office and manage workflows. This meant improving efficiency while maintaining high standards of service. I’ve also had the privilege of working closely with clients at various design agencies. Thanks to the guidance and trust of our managing director, Daniel Yates, I’ve been able to lead projects face-to-face, which has strengthened my confidence and, most importantly, earned me the trust from our clients. Today, I manage and support my team to deliver the same level of service, accountability, and professionalism.
Last year, we successfully delivered our largest project to date: a nationwide rollout covering 796 fast-food restaurants, including survey, print management, and installation. It was a complex operation, but it ran smoothly, and it’s something we are incredibly proud of as a business.

Learning Not to Underestimate Yourself

With March just around the corner, so too comes Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day (March 8th, 2026). With this in mind, it’s impossible not to acknowledge that print and signage remains a male-dominated industry, particularly on the installation side. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a woman in the industry is gaining respect. That respect doesn’t come overnight; it’s earned over time through consistency, knowledge, and confidence. For me, the solutions have been simple, though not always easy: Learn relentlessly, absorb the knowledge around you, and never be afraid to ask questions.

Having a mentor has also been invaluable. Danny (Daniel Yates, managing director at IPL) has played a huge role in my development, and I now want to be the person passing that knowledge on. I want members of my team, especially those new to the industry, to feel comfortable approaching me. Everyone has to start somewhere, and a supportive environment makes all the difference.

Looking back, attending and exhibiting at The Sign Show 2025 was another pivotal moment. In an industry where it’s easy to get stuck behind a screen, face-to-face interaction is vital. Building connections in person boosted my confidence and reinforced my sense of belonging within the industry.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come in such a short time. I love this industry and the opportunities it offers, and I feel an immense amount of pride when I walk past a project that I’ve helped bring to life. Although I’ll admit, my friends and family are probably getting a little tired of hearing me say: “We worked on that one!”

If I could offer one piece of advice, particularly to women entering print and signage, it would be this: Throw yourself in, believe in your ability to learn, and don’t underestimate the value of your perspective. With the right support and determination, there is space to grow, lead, and become a trailblazer in this industry.