At Norscot, we take pride in our dedicated and experienced team, with each member contributing unique skills and passion to their roles. Today, we’re excited to introduce Valerie Grant, who has been a valuable member of our Inverness team for an impressive 22 years.
Valerie’s wealth of experience and product knowledge in the Window & Door industry makes her an invaluable asset to both the company and its customers.
Growing up in Wick, she attended college in Inverness. In 1992, she married Callum, our recently retired Managing Director, and moved to Inverness in 2000 when he took over management of the Inverness Branch.
Why Norscot?
After starting her career at Marks and Spencer in Inverness, Valerie has spent most of her working life in customer service roles, as she enjoys meeting and engaging with people.
What initially drew her to Norscot was the company’s commitment to local manufacturing in Caithness, which provides employment opportunities for the community. This aligns with Norscot’s proud Highland heritage and its dedication to supporting growth within the region.
A Typical Day in the Office
In her role, Valerie thrives on meeting people and helping them make decisions about their home improvement projects. She provides quotations, handles administrative duties, and contributes to the bustling atmosphere of the Inverness office. Valerie takes pride in Norscot’s strong reputation for quality and excellent service, which fuels her enthusiasm and job satisfaction.
Excitement for the Future
Looking ahead, Valerie is excited about Norscot’s future growth and direction. She recognises the highly competitive nature of the Window and Door industry, especially in recent years with challenges like COVID-19 and increased living costs.
In response, Norscot has refocused its customer service strategy, emphasising reliability, quality, and honest communication with customers. Valerie appreciates the company’s commitment to continuous improvement through consistency and enthusiasm.
She believes the new management team’s restructuring efforts and clear vision, combined with Norscot’s 40 years of experience, position the company well for adapting to future changes and going from strength to strength.
Outside of Work
During the Covid pandemic, Valerie discovered a newfound passion for running, having previously enjoyed participating in fitness classes at the gym, particularly spinning and circuit training sessions. She also enjoys cooking and has a real interest in health and wellness, expanding her knowledge on the subject through reading books, listening to podcasts, and watching documentaries.
If given the opportunity to have dinner with any three people, she would choose Tim Spector, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, and Oprah Winfrey. As an avid listener of their podcasts, she would relish the chance to engage in discussions on fascinating topics like health, fitness, genetics, social equality, inclusion, and social anxiety.
Her favourite place she has ever visited is the Taj Mahal, a stunning example of Indian architecture built with white marble. She has been fortunate enough to see it twice and wouldn’t rule out a third visit. One thing she can’t live without is her running trainers. As a child, her dream was to become an air hostess.
Stay tuned to meet more members of our team who make Norscot a trusted name in the home improvement and self-build industries.