Goodbye to Manager Siân Owen

It is with great sadness that I write my last blog for Atlas as my time here has been better than I ever could have hoped for.

Back in 2011, having returned from Spain after a year of teaching English and successfully eating my body weight in tapas, I was ready for a new challenge and had set my sights on the field of translation. I wasn’t 100% sure of the route I wanted to take, but languages are a great passion of mine and I knew that I wanted to get some more experience under my belt. That is why I applied to Atlas’ work placement scheme, something that I really cannot recommend enough. It provides you with a fantastic grounding in so many key areas of the industry and gives you real responsibility from day one. I didn’t have any long-term experience of working in an office environment but I was immediately welcomed with open arms and made to feel a part of the team. Since that moment of arriving at the Covent Garden office as an apprehensive graduate, thanks to Atlas I feel that I have come so far, both personally and professionally.

After seeing how a project runs from beginning to end, before long I was given my own mini client assignments to deal with – terrifying! However, thanks to the fantastic training you receive at Atlas, nothing appears to be that daunting. In fact, I found that I really enjoyed project management and was starting to consider it as a career option. As my work placement drew to an end, I therefore began to get applications together before Atlas’ Director, Clare, gave me the fantastic news that they wanted to offer me a position as a Project Manager – I couldn’t believe it but was absolutely delighted! Having been with the company just a couple of months, I knew it was a great fit and it was clear that the way it was managed had not only the interests of its clients, but also the interests of its in-house and freelance staff in mind at all times. Clare has been a fantastic boss over the last few years and I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for me and for her ongoing support. Having progressed to becoming Atlas’ Senior Project Manager and Office Manager during my time with the company, I never could have imagined being given such incredible opportunities in such a friendly and hardworking team.

I am proud of all that I have achieved with the company and know that its success will grow for years to come. However, on top of professional achievements, I have met some lifelong friends.  I believe Atlas truly has something special which sets it apart from many other agencies in the industry, and so much of this has to do with the human approach it takes to its staff and projects, as well as the importance it places on personal touches. Sure, project management can be hugely stressful and demanding, but when I think back over my time with Atlas, what stands out is the fun and laughter we’ve all shared on top of the hard work. Weddings, babies, supplier open days, pancake races, charity videos, Christmas parties, general laughs in the office and in an around St Albans and all of its brilliant watering holes…it is a wonderful team and I will miss everyone dearly (even Jim and his bad jokes!). This of course also extends to all of the lovely freelancers and clients I have had the pleasure of working with – thank you for making my last three and half years at Atlas so amazing and I wish you all the very best for the future!

Lots of love Siân xxx