This month we reached a momentous milestone for PG Collective.. we hired our first employee! We’re super excited to announce that Arran Marshall joined us at the beginning of September as our Operations Manager.
After rebranding to PG Collective earlier this year and hosting a launch event in the summer, we have also just finalised the process of becoming a Co-operative – we are now a proud member of Co-operatives UK! Arran, who comes to us with over 10 years of management experience, will be helping the Partners to build PG services and align to Co-operative principles to structure and develop the business.
For the new role we are excited to be using a contract that the brilliant Beyond the Rules have so generously shared, and a big thank you to Aaron Hirtenstein for his expertise helping us to become a Co-operative!
Arran recently took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few (brand themed) questions:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself Arran? Well, I was born in Bradford City and moved to West London at the age of four. I was a keen sportsman during my childhood, playing in both the school cricket team and football team. However, I excelled in athletics, which saw me become a two-time county champion and a national bronze medalist. I think the discipline found in sport is something I took into my studies and working life. During my twenties, I became an athletics coach & personal trainer, all whilst studying Housing Studies at South Bank University. In my personal life I listen to a lot of interviews & audiobooks and I try to meet new people whenever the opportunity presents itself.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role? I am most looking forward to helping shape our internal policies, because as I learnt whilst studying Housing: good foundations are the ones that get built upon.
When was the last time you were described as ‘No nonsense’? A few years back I was described as no nonsense, because I playfully refused to sign a document due to a single typing error.
What is your favourite quote? The most important room in the world, is the room for improvement.
What are you most ‘Curious’ about? People’s life stories and how different systems work.
What was your favourite subject at school? Maths! I have always loved the subject.
Who is the most ‘Tenacious’ person you have ever met? The former 200- and 400-meter world record holder; Michael Johnson, he was always trying to reach the next level of greatness.
What is your favourite book? ‘Hell’s Good Guy’, written by someone called Arran Marshall (me) – the book is about a person facing an afterlife trial to determine whether they can go to Heaven.
Which one of the PG Collective’s values have not been mentioned in today’s questions? I picked up on there being a bit of a theme to the questions: No nonsense, Curious and Tenacious have been featured. Therefore, “Generous” is the answer.
We all wish Arran every success in his new role!