People Story
Terry’s Story: From Mechanic to Operations Manager
Terry Thorogood has built his career by staying open to new opportunities. From starting out as a qualified mechanic to becoming an Operations Manager at Basingstoke and Hart Environmental Services, Terry has continued to learn, take on new challenges and look for his next step.
“My teacher always said to me, ‘You’re going to be a dustman one day.’”
Terry laughs when he looks back at how his career began. Fresh out of college in 1997, he was a qualified mechanic and went straight into repairing dustcarts. “I was always fixed on being a mechanic,” Terry explains. “I didn't imagine being a dustman.”
After several years as a mechanic, however, Terry realised that while he was good at the job, it wasn't necessarily where he wanted his career to stay.
“I realised quickly, I was good at being a mechanic, but it was boring. There was nowhere to go. You're going to be stuck fixing stuff for the rest of your life.”
That prompted Terry to try something different. He gained his HGV licence before taking a break from the industry to work as a Facilities Manager for a mobile telecommunications company.
Eventually, though, he found himself drawn back to the work he knew. “That’s when I thought, you know what, I want to go back to dustcarts. And that's when I joined Serco.”
After several years as a mechanic, however, Terry realised that while he was good at the job, it wasn't necessarily where he wanted his career to stay.
“I realised quickly, I was good at being a mechanic, but it was boring. There was nowhere to go. You're going to be stuck fixing stuff for the rest of your life.”
That prompted Terry to try something different. He gained his HGV licence before taking a break from the industry to work as a Facilities Manager for a mobile telecommunications company.
Eventually, though, he found himself drawn back to the work he knew. “That’s when I thought, you know what, I want to go back to dustcarts. And that's when I joined Serco.”
Terry joined Serco as a Driver in 2017. From the beginning, he was keen to contribute wherever he could. “I kept my head down as a Driver, always willing to help out. The whole environment with Serco, the way people are, it just fit with me. And I was more than willing to always go the extra mile.”
That attitude opened up opportunities that Terry hadn't necessarily planned for. After an issue with his Driver's CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification meant he spent three weeks working in the office, managers got to see a different side of his abilities. “I ended up in the office for three weeks. And then that's when the management noticed that I could actually offer them something in the office.” When a Supervisor role became available in Basingstoke, Terry applied – but wasn't successful.
That attitude opened up opportunities that Terry hadn't necessarily planned for. After an issue with his Driver's CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification meant he spent three weeks working in the office, managers got to see a different side of his abilities. “I ended up in the office for three weeks. And then that's when the management noticed that I could actually offer them something in the office.” When a Supervisor role became available in Basingstoke, Terry applied – but wasn't successful.
That mindset has been a consistent theme throughout Terry's career. He isn't focused solely on reaching the next job title – he's interested in developing the knowledge and experience that will help him do his current job well and take on more responsibility in the future. “To become better at what I'm currently doing, so it's all second nature, and then I have got my eye on stepping up again.”
For someone who once thought his future was as a mechanic, Terry's career has taken an unexpected route. His story shows that career development doesn't always follow a straight line – and that being willing to try something different can open up opportunities you didn't originally see coming.
For Terry, the biggest motivation is simple: keep working hard, keep learning and keep looking for the next opportunity to grow.
For someone who once thought his future was as a mechanic, Terry's career has taken an unexpected route. His story shows that career development doesn't always follow a straight line – and that being willing to try something different can open up opportunities you didn't originally see coming.
For Terry, the biggest motivation is simple: keep working hard, keep learning and keep looking for the next opportunity to grow.