Getting to know: Emma Wiseman, Office Manager
In the summer of 1999, a keen and clever student named Emma joined our family business.
Fast forward 25 years to 2024, Emma has helped us in every aspect of the business.
And has become known as the favourite daughter of Co-Founders Nigel and Jo!
We caught up with Emma to discuss those 25 years…
Hey Emma! Can you firstly give us an intro to you and your role as Office Manager?
Hi there! My name is Emma Wiseman and I’ve been with for Houghton Hams for 25 years, starting in 1999.
No day is ever the same, that’s for sure. I can be doing anything from managing our busy sales office team, accounts, supporting our major retail accounts… to making the tea!
25 years! Can you remember your first day in 1999?
I can’t remember my first day, but at that time we only had one computer.
So I would probably have answered the phone, made a lot of coffee and filed a lot of paperwork.
My mum also reminded me recently that I was late and she had to call Jo [Wagstaff, Co-Founder] to apologise! Clearly, I’m very lucky to still have a job.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen since 1999?
Aside from the growth, technology has got to be the biggest change.
Like I mentioned before, we had one computer and one office when I started, and most of our orders were received over the phone and by fax.
It’s crazy to think back to that now we’re so dependent on computers.
Nigel, Jo, the family and you have remained consistent over time – is that the strength of the business?
Having grown up with the business it’s very easy to see that the strengths it has have come from its family roots.
No matter how big Houghton Hams gets, Nigel and Jo’s drive to supply the best quality products will run through from top to bottom.
Keeping the focus on working together as one big team is what makes it different from competitors and makes Houghton Hams such an enjoyable place to work.
And Finally, what’s your stand-out moment from the last 25 years?
It would have to be the 40th anniversary celebration we had last year. It was just so lovely to be able to celebrate everyone’s hard work over 40 years.
What an achievement for Nigel and Jo!
