Amanda Russell
Accounts Manager & HR — 'Employee Owner of the Year' Award Winner - 2021Joined the NSBRC in October 2009
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I originally started as a weekend receptionist and I now run the accounts functions with additional duties in HR but still manage to do that part time. I love the flexibility and range of my job – one minute I might be raising invoices or doing credit control and the next I could be sorting payroll. I like being the go-to person for the team on any advice, business or personal related.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Outside the Centre, I enjoy spending time with my family doing quizzes and various activities. I try to keep fit and love looking after our bunnies!
Andrea Szasz
Front of House SupervisorJoined the NSBRC in June 2017
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I remember the day of my interview here as it was a milestone in my professional life. When I entered the building, I felt that this must be a special place as the whole atmosphere was different from my previous workplaces. I really enjoy working here as I have the chance to chat to people with interesting projects. I also have a say in business decisions and most of all my voice is heard.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
In my free time I like improving my language skills by listening to music or watching movies in Spanish as I love everything related to Latin American culture.
Bebe Read
Front of House TeamJoined the NSBRC in January 2020
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I love that the Centre has so much to offer and how each day is different. Recently, we have had an influx of first time visitors and the amazed look on their face when they realise the size and the wow factor as they enter the Center never fails to bring a smile to my face!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Outside of work, I have a 6-year-old son and we enjoy the outdoors together. Our favourite past times include bug hunting and den building. We have a house full of pets and are very animal focused! During the evening, I love a bit of trash TV and crime series.
Clare Martin
Marketing ManagerRe-joined the NSBRC in December 2022
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I started my career at the Centre many years ago and I’m so happy to be back, NSBRC has evolved so much in that time and I’m thrilled to be working with many of the same faces again. I love the buzz during the shows and seeing visitors faces as they experience the centre for the first time.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
In my spare time you’ll find me either in a spin class, at Selhurst Park watching Crystal Palace or trying new restaurants!
Colin Latimer
Technical ExpertJoined the NSBRC in January 2019
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I have been involved in the construction industry all my life. Firstly with working on the tools and then into management. I can offer advice on all construction methods, procurement, estimates, planning, building regs, VAT, builders, and more. I love working in the Centre and most of all passing on my experiences to visitors to try and guide them to a successful project. It’s more like a hobby to me.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Outside of the Centre I have interests in playing golf, walking & football - I love all sports. I also enjoy gardening and food.
Corinne Russell
Front of House TeamJoined the NSBRC in January 2022
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I work in the coffee shop at the weekend and love being able to talk to different people about their projects. It is fascinating! I am currently a full time student at college studying childcare and I work at a local nursery on placement.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I like reading books, my favourite genre is romance and I try and read whenever I can. I also enjoy watching crime dramas.
Deanah Probets
Front of House & Conference ManagerJoined the NSBRC in October 2017
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
As an Employee Owned team it means everyone at the NSBRC has a voice in the running of our successful business. Every day I meet new people - visitors or conference delegates and I love seeing their 'WOW' expressions as they walk into the Centre.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I’ve recently become a Mum to my little boy and when I’m not working I can often be found at a soft play centre or out on day trips with my little family.
Gareth Nicholas
Business Development Manager — Joint employee-owner of the year 2022 with Phil Wilson!Re-joined the NSBRC in June 2015
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I enjoy building long lasting relationships with the exhibiting partners, ensuring that they are getting what they need from us, and hearing how well they are doing here – getting the feedback is very rewarding. I also love that we are a close-knit working “family unit” here, as an employee owned business. You don’t get the same comradery elsewhere!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When I am not working at the Centre, I can often be found with a hammer or a drill in my hand whilst I am renovating my house. I also enjoy spending time with the family, often with weekends away down to south Devon.
Harvey Fremlin
Managing DirectorJoined the NSBRC in January 2008, and has led our employee-owned business since 2014
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I am very proud of the open culture our team of employee-owners has created, which has helped our business flourish and makes working within this unique resource a real joy. Our business is all about people living in better homes and it is always exciting to have met people, at the very beginning of their journey, and then a few years on to see the new houses that they have helped design and build.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Away from the Centre I am a long-suffering fan of Swindon Town and now enjoy watching matches with my son – who is a keen footballer himself.
Katy Ashcroft
Content Marketing ManagerJoined the NSBRC in September 2018
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
It's fulfilling to work in a team that strives to deliver better, sustainable homes. I enjoy promoting events and producing content that helps our visitors research for their homebuilding projects.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I’ve recently got married, so I often spend my weekends decorating and organising our flat with my husband. In my spare time, I also enjoy playing with my rescued budgies, Appa & Momo, experimenting with plant-based recipes, and going to Pilates.
Kay Waite
Front of House TeamJoined the NSBRC in June 2014
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
Having a job that allows you to experience people’s hopes and dreams as they progress through their house building journey is wonderful. However, it’s the company’s flexibility that has allowed me to establish a healthy and balanced work and home life.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Outside the Centre, I have an active family life and enjoy supporting my children in their extracurricular activities. I love taking our dog out on long leisurely walks and I am a member of my local running club and leisure Centre, although truth be told, my favourite pastime is relaxing anywhere with a good book!
Kelly Boyce
Front of House Team — 'Employee Owner of the Year' Award Winner - 2024Joined the NSBRC in September 2023
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
The Centre is such a great and inspiring environment to be in and I love working alongside the small and professional team we have here. The most enjoyable part of my job is getting to greet customers daily and to hear all of the different and often amazing self build challenges that they intend to undertake.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Away from work I enjoy being mum to two very active and football-crazy young boys! I love getting creative and I am set to complete a hairdressing course in my spare time in the hopes to start my own business alongside working at the Centre.
Kirsty James
Educational Courses & Events ExecutiveJoined the NSBRC in January 2020
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I love that every day here is different. The expression on new visitors faces when they walk in to the centre will never get old. The word WOW gets used a lot! I originally started working here on a casual basis back in 2015 (I think!) helping out with shows, and loved every minute. The buzz, The staff, The exhibitors, were all amazing. I was then asked if I’d like to join the team at the end of 2019.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I have my own nail and beauty business, so am very busy outside of here, I also have two kids (grown up) and two Labradors, One Black girl called Mindy, and one Silver girl called Bubbles. I love being out in nature with them, and I love camping too. (especially at festivals).
Kristina House
Business Development Executive – ConferencingJoined the NSBRC in March 2020
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
It is great to be a part of such an innovative and forward thinking company. I get to meet many interesting people, with no two days being the same.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
My spare time is mainly spent with my four Sons and my Grandson. I also like walking my Miniature Pinscher, Reg, reading and enjoying a cocktail (or 2!) with friends.
Neil Davey
Technical ExpertJoined the NSBRC in January 2007 (when it first opened in Swindon!)
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
What I love about working at the Centre is it’s such a relaxed environment to work in, where I can use my many years of skills and knowledge from designing and building my own homes, to help others understand the process of building their own homes.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When I am away from the Centre I enjoy, semi- retirement which includes: relaxing, travel, rebuilding and riding vintage motorbikes.
Nick Whant
Sustainability ManagerJoined the NSBRC in February 2024
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
Having championed sustainable ways of working and great workplace culture as a Communication professional in the financial services and tech sector for the past decade, it’s inspiring to witness the sense of community here. It’s also exciting to apply my experience to a new industry, helping our visitors create their dream homes and shape a more sustainable future.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I live a stone’s throw from the Centre, with my partner Emily and our family of rescue cats. I enjoy writing and performing music, as well as geeking out about music and films. I also have a love/hate relationship with running, so my response about that may vary depending on when you speak to me!
Phil Wilson
Business Development Manager — Joint employee-owner of the year 2022 with Gareth Nicholas!Joined the NSBRC in November 2013
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
I really enjoy meeting new & potential exhibitors, the look on their face when they first walk in the Centre is always that of amazement. I sometimes forget how much of a WOW factor this place has and it fills me full of pride every time!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When not working I can usually be found on the golf course still trying to break 80! If not on the course, then definitely in the 19th hole with a cold one.
Sue Davey
Front of House TeamJoined the NSBRC in 2014
What's one thing you love about your job at the NSBRC?
One thing I love about my job is that although I am now semi-retired and generally just work at shows, I am still treated like one of the team and feel valued for my contribution which is really nice. Interaction with the team, exhibitors and visitors is so enjoyable and it’s great to meet people enthusiastic and excited about this Centre and their projects.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When not working I love swimming; Pilates; reading; dancing; summers on Skiathos Island, Greece with my husband Neil; travelling the UK in our Motorhome; time with family and friends.