Focus on..

Location: Swansea and Bridgend

Length of service: 12 years

Kath Chivers was recently awarded the title of Western Mail Welsh Woman of the Year. Kath - who was also crowned Best Contact Centre Manager of the Year by the Welsh Newspaper and Manager of the Year in the Welsh Contact Centre Awards – says "It's about being creative, changing the culture and making people want to come to work."

Also a staunch charity supporter since her son, Greg, 21, died of leukaemia 18 months ago, Kath has raised over £8,500 for the Anthony Nolan Trust - which assigns bone marrow to leukaemia sufferers - since her son passed away.

"I've had a tough time personally, but Greg was proud of my career and wanted me to do well," she adds.

Kath is equally proud of her team at Swansea - the site was named Best Welsh Contact Centre and one of her advisors, Nick Christie, received the Best Newcomer title in the Western Wales Association of Contact Centre Awards last year.

"We were up against stiff competition, so this was a fantastic honour".

Kath joined Lloyds TSB 12 years ago as a part-time customer service advisor and doing "every job going" at the site has given her a valuable insight into how a good Telephone Banking site should be run.

"I understand the operational and customer side of things, and without that knowledge I wouldn't be able to the job I do now," she says.

 

On my iPod you'll find... A mixture of different tastes from R and B to 80's pop.

When I'm not working I... am walking my dog, in the gym or eating and drinking.

My favourite tipple is... Vodka and diet coke.

If I were an animal I'd be... a lion, strong, loud with a big heart.

My best memory... My 40th birthday in the Maldives, it was really special.

My favourite time of year is... Summer, BBQ's and light nights.

If they made a film of my life I'd be played by... Barbara Windsor or Doris Day.

With £100,000 I'd... Pay off all my debts, have a holiday and give my kids some money.

My autobiography would be called... Life goes on.

I really can't stand... Miserable, negative people.