Anya Tate

Can you briefly describe your career journey prior to joining WYMS?

I started working in my local pub at 15/16 in between COVID lockdowns, and found myself enjoying the customer facing and fast paced role. After college I applied to be Cabin Crew and worked the summer season in the air. I decided I would prefer a role with more sociable hours, where I could gain experience in other skills areas.

How does your professional background help you in your current role?

My background in customer service is essential to my role, as I meet and greet all of our visitors with a smile! 

What do you enjoy most about your role or working at WYMS?

The diversity of the role. I enjoy liaising with course and room clients from their initial enquiry to receiving feedback after their visit. I also love event planning as I am a very organised person.

What’s one thing you’ve learned since joining WYMS?

I had little knowledge of the engineering and manufacturing industry, and working at WYMS has taught me that there is so much to the industry and its forever expanding. Learning about how the younger generation are no longer excited about the industry and being a part of the challenge to get them more involved in different ways is very exciting.

What key achievements or milestones have you reached during your career so far?

When I started at WYMS I had never heard of National manufacturing Day, let alone the open day that WYMS hosts. Planning NMD2025 with Freya has been the biggest achievement in my whole career. From learning about the event and sharing ideas with Mark and the team about how we can make the event bigger than previous years, to organising logistics on the day. It took an enormous amount of organisation and problem solving, and being one of the leads of this opportunity was incredible.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Baking, being with my dog, going out for breakfast 😊

Do you have a fun fact or personal motto you’d like to share?

‘Everything happens for a reason’

What’s your favourite place in West Yorkshire?

Shibden Hall – for the history and beautiful walk around the park on my doorstep.

How would your colleagues describe you in three words?

Organised, bubbly/smiley, dependable

Pictured: Anya speaking to an exhibitor at National Manufacturing Day 2025