Hot on the heels of last week’s celebrations for David Tubb and Ollie Mason, who each marked an incredible 15 years with Spinnaker, we’re back with another milestone moment — this time, it’s a double 10-year anniversary!

Today, we’re raising a toast to Georgina King and Jay Farr, who both celebrate 10 fantastic years with the business. To mark the occasion, we’ve gone with a fun twist: 10 questions for 10 years. From standout memories to lessons learned and hopes for the future, here’s what they had to say…

Georgina King

1. What do you remember about your first day at Spinnaker?

I remember being absolutely terrified as it was my first job out of university. I remember arriving and buzzing up to the office and someone making a comment about being Matt Kings sister (My brother worked here at the time) and wondering how many people would refer to me like that. It was really nice going through the introductions with everyone and walking around with Jay and Alice as we all started at the same time, just makes it less intimidating when you have other people in the same boat as you!

2. What has been your proudest moment or biggest achievement here?

I think I’ve had quite a few things that I’ve been proud of to be honest, on a personal note I’m proud of the person I’ve grown into since working here. I think if I were to have a conversation with 10 year ago me she wouldn’t recognise who I am in the best way. On a work front it would probably be being Facet 5 accredited, being able to work on all areas of the Maritime HR associate, helping get the cruise+ report off the ground so quite a few things!

3. Who is someone who has really supported your journey here at Spinnaker?

Multiple people to be honest. In every part of my journey here there has been someone helping me and supporting me. In the beginning Jay, Alice and I really did lean on each other and it was important to have that I think. When I moved over to the data side Sandra and then Lucy really were amazing and they still are to this day!

4. What is your favourite memory about your time at Spinnaker?

Most recently it was when the first cruise plus report went out because I was just so proud. It was around that time that the MHRA team went for drinks on one of the hottest days of the year and it was glorious! A recurring memory is there’s a very specific time of year where the team get a bit hysterical and will laugh at just about anything, when I think back to the conversations we have during that time it really does make me laugh.

5. What is one thing people may not know about your day-to-day work?

I think a lot of people don’t realise that what we do requires so much attention to detail and perseverance! We are so data heavy when we arrive in the office it’s all we’re looking at. Data here, data there, data everywhere. You’d think we were all mad with how excited we can get as a team when a complicated excel formula works! Also how generally varied my role is, I don’t think people realise I help with all the reports that go out and give facet 5 feedback at the same time as some of our busiest data times. Also how much I love a pivot table.

6. How many cups of coffee do you think you have consumed at Spinnaker in 10 years?

I went through a massive coffee faze where I was drinking about 5-6  black coffees before midday (I don’t do this anymore don’t worry) so at one point in my life I was 80% coffee but now an absolutely normal amount of coffee.  If I had to ballpark figure? Way too many.

7. Who at Spinnaker would you pick to be stranded on a desert island with and why?

I’d say Lucy, we’re already on the best vibe when we’re together! But… why am I stranded on a desert island?

8. What phrase or saying have you heard a thousand times in this job?

“it is what it is”

“surviving not thriving”

“peaks and troughs”

“That is a nice pivot table” (I always imagine this like donkey seeing the boulder at Shreks house)

“swings and roundabouts”

“it’s… Rebecca Vardys account”

9. After 10 years, what is your ultimate work survival tip?

If you make a mistake that does not make you the worst person on the planet. Everybody makes mistakes because we’re all human, so it’s being a bit nicer to yourself and understanding no one is going to hold it against you.

10. If you could sum up your 10 years in 1 word, what would it be?

That’s also really hard. Probably… Evolving.  I’ve been on a bit of a journey since joining Spinnaker, I’ve changed personally and professionally and I’ve ended up wearing a lot of hats throughout the years.

Jay Farr

1. What do you remember about your first day at Spinnaker?

I went from working as an Assistant Manager in a coffee shop, to working in an office… so I just remember thinking ‘wow I’ve been sat down for a long time’! Although that swiftly changed when we had to walk around the office introducing ourselves to everyone – then I wished I was still sitting down. It was great though as I started on the same day as Georgina and we jelled instantly, and it was great to have someone to be with and go through the same journey with.

2. What has been your proudest moment or biggest achievement here?

When I became a Recruitment Consultant I worked on a really big role with GARD P&I. It was a VP of Industry relations role, and not only was it the first role at that level I have worked on, it was my first placement as a recruitment consultant that I had been the lead on. I built a great relationship with the HR contact and the MD of the London office. So I was very proud.

On a personal note, I married my husband, bought my first house and had my daughter all whilst working at Spinnaker. I have a very medically complex little girl and the fact that I have managed to hold down a job and still love what I do… that’s an achievement.

3. Who is someone who has really supported your journey here at Spinnaker?

Like I said before, Georgina is someone I really feel like I have ben on a Spinnaker journey with, but I would also have to say Matt. I have had the same line manager for the majority of my time here, so he has been a good listener and a counsellor at times!

4. What is your favourite memory about your time at Spinnaker?

The countless team nights out, dragon boat races, friendly faces, peoples bad dance moves?! It’s hard to pin point a favourite memory but I met my 2 best friends whilst working here  – it’s not pinpointing this and although they have since moved on from the company our friendship hasn’t.

5. What is one thing people may not know about your day-to-day work?

I’m an over sharer… I’m not sure there is much people don’t know about my job.

6. How many cups of coffee do you think you have consumed at Spinnaker in 10 years?

Too many to count. I think if you asked anyone in the office they could tell you that there is not a day that goes by when I don’t walk in with a cup of coffee in my hand!

7. Who at Spinnaker would you pick to be stranded on a desert island with and why?

Lucy as she shares my deep love of prosecco… oh and she’s very clever of course.

8. What phrase or saying have you heard a thousand times in this job?

It is what it is and peaks and troths.

9. After 10 years, what is your ultimate work survival tip?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions… especially to a client or candidate! Someone would much rather you ask and try to understand that go in blind. Otherwise, how would we learn!

10. If you could sum up your 10 years in 1 word, what would it be?

Growth.

I have grown so much as a person during my time here and I am sure if you asked me again in another 10, I would say the same.