Sarah Balmforth
Head of Operations
What's the most enjoyable part of your job?
I love the variety my job brings, from traveling the world to dealing with the more mundane like organizing new office equipment! Each day brings a different and sometime very unusual challenge!
Tell us three facts about yourself, one of which is a lie.
- I hate olives
- I’ve had tea and cucumber sandwiches on the Queen’s lawn
- I don’t like the feel of a dry sponge
What do you consider your biggest
achievement is so far?
Personal - Seen the big 5 on safari in Kenya (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino & Leopard) Career – Doing a job I love
What is your favourite song?
At the moment anything from Bedouin Sound Clash album – Sounding a Mosaic or Jack Johnson – In between Dreams.
What is your biggest ambition?
My next mini adventure is to learn to snowboard who knows what’s after that!
What's your favourite film?
Mmm, today…True Romance
What's your chosen tipple?
Vodka & Tonic with ice and lime.
What was your worst ever fashion disaster?
Ice wash jeans?...maybe? I could make a list
Top tip:
Enjoy life and give everything you do 100%
Biography
As a buyer in the retail sector for 9yrs she saw the addiction of being involved in a fast paced industry. Working within this highly competitive market and having to stay ahead of the competition involved traveling abroad to source new products and styles, negotiation with factories and freight forwarders to give the best profit margins. Managing the logistics to getting the products from factory to shop floor Sarah gained the required people management skills as well as an organised approach to project management. These skills made the transition to Operations an obvious choice. She is currently responsible for the smooth running of all 8 international offices for Applied Language Solutions including all aspects of HR and instilling the company culture.