10 in 10 - Helen Walton of ROCOL

10 in 10: Helen Walton works in the Human Resources and Payroll department at Leeds-based industrial lubricant manufacturers ROCOL, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as The Yorkshire Times gives her just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.

Helen Walton

What does a typical working day for you involve?
It must start with a cup of Yorkshire’s finest as I check the calendar for that day’s meetings and tasks. I’ll also look at the to do list for anything that wasn’t finished yesterday. After that payroll takes priority, as everyone wants to be paid on time. Depending on where we are in the month, that can take up either most the day or just a few hours. Once payroll has been dealt with, it is down to dealing with any HR work there is. That can be information for new starters, people leaving or general HR issues or projects.

What makes your company special?
The culture at ROCOL is something that is very special, I’ve never worked at a company who have anything like it. Everyone is amazing and pulling towards the same goals with the aim of making ROCOL successful and a great place to work.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?
Good two-way communication is a must, as is trying to be as helpful as possible. If I receive an email from a colleague, it is usually because they need information on something that they are working on right away. Nobody wants to be held up because someone hasn’t replied to an email, so I always try to get information over to people straight away.

Do you dress up or down for work?
I like to be smart for the office, however, the last few months have seen me adopt a more relaxed dress code – at least from the waist down!

What piece of advice would you give your 18-year old self?
Never underestimate yourself and always push for more, you’ll be surprised at how much you can achieve. Also, don’t leave your CIPD Level 5 until you’re 50.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?
Xscape at Castleford is always a great place to head to, especially the Snowzone for some snowboarding or tobogganing. Nowadays, I think I’d spend more time on my bum than standing up though!

How do you prefer to travel for business?
When I must travel for work I prefer to take the train. The beauty of taking the train over driving is that you can use the time to look over documents before the meeting, do additional work or write up notes on your way back. It’s much more relaxing and it gives you the opportunity to be productive.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?
It has to be Harrogate Spa with all its charms and traditions. The building is wonderful with its traditional tiles. I love to spend a nice day there relaxing and unwinding.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?
The Ryther Arms in Rythre for their amazing steak. It’s second to none and just melts in your mouth, it’s that good.

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?
A good brew made with Yorkshire Tea!