from horses to holcim : Morgan's story
Morgan Watson’s career path to date has been anything but predictable. To get to the beginning, we have to go back to Morgan’s time at college and revisit the place she loved to be most: her local equine hospital.
horses for courses
Morgan completed a level 3 advanced technical diploma in animal management at Reaseheath College in her home county of Cheshire. During her time there, she undertook more than 700 hours of work experience at an equine hospital and continued there as a yard person after leaving college, managing 21 stables and 11 fields.
“I’ve owned horses since I was very young and have always been passionate about equestrian health,” Morgan said.
“I ride Sugar, who I have owned for the past seven years, daily after work and I am really tempted to buy another one. Although, I do have a lot going on because I’m renovating a house with my fiancé, Will, so that might have to wait!”
Step Change
It was during her time as a yard person that Morgan decided she wanted to move to Leek with her partner, prompting a job change and shift in career direction.
Morgan said: “I was looking for career progression in a corporate environment, which is how I discovered Holcim through a job advert looking for an apprentice.
“I was attracted by the company’s sustainability focus – an important consideration for me – and had heard positive things about the business from Will, who is an engineer and had previously worked with Holcim as a contractor.”
This convinced her to embark on a project management apprenticeship role at Holcim UK’s Express Asphalt plant in Stoke. But for Morgan, now 23, the prospect of beginning an apprenticeship in a traditionally male-dominated environment at a young age was nerve-racking to say the least.
“I know that my age has an impact of how people perceive me,” Morgan said. “That, combined with the fact that I’m only 5’3”, a woman and I struggle with OCD, was definitely at the front of my mind when I came to site for the first time.
“But on my first day at Holcim, I was welcomed into the company by my manager, Matt Read, and three women, who instantly made me feel part of a much bigger team. I am the only female on my site, but all the guys I work with are fantastic and my gender, age and appearance have never been issues.”
women empowered
While working at Holcim, Morgan has become an integral member of the company’s Women Empowered network. The group drives positive change, creating an environment where women can succeed and achieve their full potential. It also provides a forum to share experiences and raise awareness of challenges women face.
Morgan said: “Since joining the Women Empowered group, I’ve participated in a female apprentice focus group, met other apprentices and senior leaders (including meeting Holcim CEO Lee Sleight and attending the senior leadership conference) and represented female apprentices.
“I’ve also had the chance to visit multiple sites, including Bardon Hill, Sheffield and mainstream plants, and have observed different sustainability practices across locations, which I’ve found really interesting.”
The group has been a great help to Morgan, who continues to manage her OCD during site visits and learns to deal with imposter syndrome.
Morgan said: “Coming from a council estate, growing up with very little money and being the first of my siblings to work for a corporate company, I sometimes find it difficult to accept that I deserve to be in the position I am now.
“I feel lucky to be working on projects that make a difference and being part of a company I’m proud of. At the same time, learning to accept praise from colleagues and speaking to a variety of different people in different positions is helping me work through that feeling of imposter syndrome.”
personal growth
Outside of work, Morgan is kept busy with horse riding, climbing and spending time with her sheepdog, Enfys. She is also renovating a house with Will, so believes her day job at Holcim is a welcome relief from the busyness of her home life.
“The entire team at Holcim have been understanding and supportive of my career and have helped me to become more relaxed and confident – both personally and professionally,” Morgan said.
Morgan has used her experience at Holcim to grow as an individual, and she has been able to transfer these skills into her personal life outside of work. And, just as she is pursuing a career path very different to the one on which she originally set out, Morgan encourages women of any age to take the reins and try something new – whether in their work or in their personal life.
