Our people are important to us at UNTHA UK — after all, without their knowledge and expertise we would be unable to deliver the five-star customer service that we’re so famous for.

So, each month we quiz a different colleague on 10 quickfire questions that offer a little more insight into why they play such an important and valued part of our growing team. 

Next up, it’s Liz Crompton, financial controller. Over to you, Liz! 

How did you first get into the world of shredding?

Nine years ago, I was working in the finance department for an IT company in Leeds. I started the search for a role closer to my home in Ripon, and that September, my UNTHA story began.

What’s the one skill or quality that helps you succeed in the UNTHA environment? 

Expect the unexpected and adjust your working day accordingly. Overseeing company accounts is a very reactionary job — you have to be flexible to tackle each job at hand. 

Name one highlight from your UNTHA tenure so far.

One of the things I tend to worry about in my department is the annual audit, as it’s time consuming and high pressure in the build up to the visit. Last year, we had a new set of auditors, and I was naturally nervous about the outcome. It turned out to be the best result we’ve had so far — which felt like a huge achievement for us! 

How do you unwind at the end of a busy day at work?

An evening walk followed by delving into a detective book, crime TV series, or a Sheffield United football match!

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

Know your strengths. I think as you gain more workplace experience, you realise there are certain tasks that just aren’t your specialism — learning what to pursue and what to drop is a steep but worthwhile learning curve.

Which machine is your favourite from the UNTHA shredder range, and why? 

While my role doesn’t offer much involvement in the shredders, I quite like the RS40. This machine has been around for years, is easy to install, can be refurbished for ultimate longevity, and has absolutely stood the test of time. 

UNTHA has a number of divisions scattered all over the globe — Austria, Poland, Iberica, and Türkiye, to name a few. If you weren’t a trusty fixture at the UK branch, which business would be next on your work hit list? 

I’ll go with Türkiye — it’s a little bit warmer than the UK in winter! 

What do you think makes UNTHA’s service such a hit with our customers?

The integrity and determination of the team, and our ability to see a job through to the very end. 

What’s your main hope for UNTHA UK over the next year or so?

To increase profitability in line with turnover. 

And finally, what’s your main environmental hope for the UK as a whole? 

My biggest bug bear is the amount of plastic packaging that you see on food — especially meat and fruit. While I don’t think you can ever eliminate it completely, we definitely need to drastically reduce the usage and explore more environmentally-friendly alternatives.