Introducing...The Staff
This page is designed to further improve our customer-staff relationship. Each member of our team would like their own little space by way of introduction and to explain what they take pride in doing here at...Hattons Model Railways.
| Norman Hatton Founder |
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A page such as this would not feel quite right without the introduction of this man. Norman Hatton founded the business way back in 1946, and passed away in late August 2005 at the grand old age of 87. Norman worked nearly full time in the shop right up until his 86th year, sharing his experiences with the younger members of staff and our regular customers Norman had a razor sharp brain and business sense unfaltering since his younger days! Our picture shows him packing orders in the old shop a few years ago. Whilst modelling the very same shop coat he bought brand new with his coupons for opening day. |
| Keith Hatton Managing Director |
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Keith Hatton was born in 1959, and died, aged 48, during September 2008. At the time of his death, Keith had been responsible for Hattons emergence as the leading independent retailer, in the sector which we operate in. He is missed by all the staff and customers who came into contact with him during his reign as the leader of our firm, and it will be some time before we adjust to his loss. We would like to thank all those who have supported us during the difficult time following his death, and appreciate the kind emails and letters of condolence we have re ceived. Keith was a unique and dynamic man, who led from the front. His knowledge and experience were undoubted, as was the commitment which he gave to the firm, for over 30 years. |
| Christine Hatton Director |
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Christine Hatton is the owner and Managing Director of Hattons Model Railways. She has worked for the firm for over 20 years, and many of our customers will have been served and assisted by her. Following the death of her brother Keith, in 2008, Christine has stepped up to the mantle, to take over the reigns of running the firm. She has a great deal to contend with, given the size of our firm, the number of products we stock (approx 6000), the number of staff we have (57 as of Nov 08), and the number of places where we advertise (16 magazine titles and 4 websites). Christine is determined for the growth and development of the business to continue in the manner it had done, before the death of her father Norman, and brother Keith. We accept that this will be a difficult task, but are determined that it will provide the best tribute to Norman and Keiths memory. |
| Peter Walsh General Manager |
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Peter previously worked for Hattons back in his student days, and since graduating he has come back to work full-time. He is also a member of the Liverpool Harriers and currently holds the track record for the naked 400m sprint at Wavertree stadium , timed at 60.2 seconds (but he was handicapped by about 10 pints and bare feet that don't offer much grip!!). He was also on TV in 2003, when he came last in the 800M in the national championships. |
| Richard Davies Development Manager |
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Richard, along with Graeme Hogg and Peter Walsh has helped Christine take over many of the duties that Keith Hatton took responsibility for, prior to his death in September 2008. He is now responsible for buying of stock and advertising policy, and also the ongoing development of the business. |
| Graeme Hogg I.T. Manager |
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This is Ulsterman Graeme Hogg who takes charge of producing many of our comprehensive magazine advertisements, and also maintenance of our growing network of computers and associated hardware, plus answering emails and producing product images for the websites. He used to study software engineering at John Moores university, and is nowadays a font of knowledge on cinema and anything remotely connected with IT. |
| Phil Hennessey Weekend I.T Manager/Weekday Assistant Gen. Manager |
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Phil has got all sorts of high level qualifications in law, and is currently training up a successor on the weekends as he will soon be working in the law department of a software company. |
| Julie Jones Export Manager |
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Julie Jones is our Export Manager. This lady can deduct 17.5% from anything, 'so' good are her mathematical skills! Julie is a lovely women who is always full of conversation, and is one of Hattons most experienced campaigners, having seen hundreds of thousands of orders despatched to customers all over the world |
| Peter Warburton Postroom Supervisor |
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Introducing Peter Warburton. Peter is the post-room supervisor. This is who we all come to when we need some questions answered and Keith is too busy (always). Peter seems to thrive on hard work and always appears to be doing more than one job at one time usually everyone elses. Bearing this in mind there is never a sign of a grumble when we ask him for help. Peter too is a keen athlete but with a gammy leg. Finally a tip for all you fans of the sport of kings. Always back any other Gee Gee than Peters tips. |
| Simon Rigert Harnden Weekend Supervisor |
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Here is Simon Rigert-Harden. Simon has been with us since Christmas 2002 when he started part time as a 15 year old schoolboy and showed sufficient maturity to take overall charge of the till and order entry point at weekends and occasional weekdays when still only 17. Known as Rigger to his friends. In 2005 he moved into part of our old shop which had been converted into a flat, but the all night parties and works of art were left behind as he has now moved up the housing ladder. He has left us with somewhere unfit for human habitation, but JP is looking for digs. |
| Keith Robinson Warehouse Manager |
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'Uncle' Keith proved his worth by working Christmas day and Boxing day. Uncle Keith (his girlfriend is the only person who calls him John) is the former record for the number of parcels packed in one day, 75 but prefers to keep things neat and tidy so has been put in charge of the shelves in the warehouse - where the mice move the stock around overnight as soon as its tidied! |
| Lesley McGhee Assistant Export Manager |
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Lesley is a former student of Liverpool University. After completing her undergraduate degree in Molecular Chemistry, she took a further course (Masters) and is now planning her next move. Lesley works a variety of shifts in the export despatch department, packing parcels for all our valuable overseas customers. |
| Christopher McCann Modelling Advisor |
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Chris assists our shop customers.He has studied as an electrical engineer, and has returned to work at Hattons. |
| David Mylett Modelling Advisor |
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David is one of the more knowledgeable members of the Hattons team, and is the first point of call for many of the more technical enquiries - he has an interest in railways and transport systems, both models and the real thing, and is also a member of the East Lancashire Railway Diesel Preservation Society, where he can be found as a trainee 2nd man as well as in the diesel dept restoring the loco's including the unique Class 15 and Class 28 CoBo. He did 2 weeks work experience at Hattons during 2002 and now has a regular job here. He primarily provides modelling advice to our shop customers. |
| Alan Brown Quality Controller |
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Alan used to pick orders in our large warehouse, and quickly got the nickname "The Machine" due to his speed & accuracy. He can now be found checking off your orders. |
| Neil Siner Print room & Transport Manager |
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Neil is our general handyman, and when not busy in the shop he will be found cruising up and down Penny Lane in the van listening to 80's classics. He put on his application form that he had worked at Hattons before. But no one remembers! |
| Stephen Nugent Modelling Advisor |
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Steve came into the store last Christmas, and loved it so much he asked if we needed any staff and was hired on the spot! He started off picking your orders, but with his experience of railway modelling he was quickly moved into the shop area to help serve customers. Steve worked on the actual railways for many years, latterly as an "Incident Manager" with "Northern Rail". He has recently had the great news that his son has gotten through a life-threatening illness, which we are all thrilled to hear. |
| Karen McKay Smith Principal Customer Service clerk |
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Karen, better known as Candy, always occupies the front primary desk and is the first friendly face anyone will see as they enter the shop. She is waiting to take your order, and has been rubbing shoulders with the stars, helping to serve a famous 'English pianist, bandleader and television presenter' |
| John Houghton Senior Picking and Customer Service clerk |
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John Houghton has been with us since Christmas 2002. He came on work experience and never left. John is a keen Liverpool supporter and can often be seen at Anfield cheering on his team. John is currently working part time in our warehouse and customer service departments, making sure all your parcels are put together correctly while studying an IT course in college. |
| Phil Field Customer Service clerk |
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"Mr Versatile", Phil Field has been with Hattons for quite some time, despite his youthful looks. His hobbies include playing football, badminton, swimming and snooker. Phil is also a fan of Liverpool F.C. and gets to as many of their matches as he can (when Keith lets him have the time off. So he won't be seeing many this year!). He originally joined Hattons as a part time despatch clerk, but now helps out in nearly all departments. |
| Joanne McCann Customer Service clerk |
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Model railway enthusiast by day, lycra wearing, crime fighting super hero by night Joanne spends her time dyeing her hair, serving customers and looking upwards to the right. Joanne is Minister for disability in Liverpools young parliament, and is currently vice-chairperson of her schools board. She is currently in competition for the position of "Happiest person in Hattons" running against Hayley Houston and John Van. She loves chocolate and shopping... |
| Paul Hill Customer Service clerk |
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Paul joined our team in the run up to Christmas 2006, and now spends time on our front desk, serving shop and telephone customers, or helping out checking deliveries or picking orders. He has just finished a degree at Liverpool University and is considering travelling the world before embarking on a career |
| Chris Brown General assistant |
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Chris helps keep our warehouse tidy, and gives us a hand shifting stock between premises in the van. He enjoys football, and outdoor pursuits. Alledgedly he has the attention span of a goldfish. |
| Hayley Houston General assistant |
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The ever cheerful Hayley helps around the shop and is always smiling. She now works on the tills waiting to take you order in the shop or over the phone. |
| Robert McCarthy General assistant |
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If you need a job doing, you can always rely on Robbie. He was working so fast today he had to be chased around the stock room in order to grab this rare picture opportunity! Robbies mum had to dig out his birth certificate in order to get him into secondary school, after his Mach 3 went blunt. |
| Joe Brodie General assistant |
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Joe joined the Hattons team in the run up to Christmas 2006, and can be found working the tills.His interests include "outdoor persuits" and getting drunk then turning up for work hungover. He recently came 3rd in the British Crossword Championships, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. He also follows his favourite football team Liverpool, when he has the chance to get off work and school |
| Joyce Duah UK Despatch clerk |
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Joyce got her job here through Letrice. Who in turn was recommended by her friend Abigail. Who left to go to Nottingham University. Abigail came to work for us after her Brother Marcus impressed us during his short time here a few years ago. Joyce is studying for a pharmacology degree at university and finds some time to help despatch parcels at the weekend, in the UK packing department. |
| Blaine O'Brien Picking clerk |
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Another member of staff from the Emerald Isle, Blaine is another engineer at Liverpool University, who has returned to Northern Ireland for the Summer of 07, and will be back in September |
| Matthew Carey Despatch Clerk |
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Matthew attends Liverpool University and is in his final year. He works in our warehouse picking mail-orders and helping inventory control. |
| John Van UK Despatch clerk |
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John has come to Liverpool from China to study at Liverpool university. He's now volunteered to move down to the UK packing department from picking as hard graft packing parcels is rewarded with higher pay. Here he works part time when he is not busy studying. |
| Letrice Thomas UK Despatch Clerk |
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Letrice works in the UK packing department and is a pretender to the throne of "Fastest Hattons packer ever". |
| Jessie Sun UK Despatch Clerk |
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Jessie is one of our fastest packers, but is currently on Maternity leave awaiting the birth of her 1st child. |
| Laura Warwick UK Despatch clerk |
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Laura studies Marketing at university, and is looking forward to a career as a high-powered executive. She currently works part time in our UK despatch department making sure all of your orders are well packed. Lauras best friend Sticky Vicky used to rent a room off Keith, but she has now emigrated to Dubai to dress the hair of Sultans and Sheiks. |
| Terry Whormsley UK Despatch clerk |
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Currently in his second year at Liverpool University, Terry studies Urban Regeneration and Human Geography. Terrys main passion is music, both playing and listening, and has been in several bands, winning a local battle-of-the-bands competition and having one of their songs played on our local radio stations - Radio City 96.7 and Radio Merseyside. |
| Matthew Baker Non UK Despatch clerk |
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| Folashade Ajala UK Despatch clerk |
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"Shade" is studying Aviation, which led to Keith asking the question during the Interview "So your going to be an Air Hostess?"! However, this isn't the case she expects to have her pilots license soon! We are expecting her to be a high flyer at Hattons. |
| Jamie Warburton UK despatch clerk |
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Jamie is the nephew of Peter Warburton, and after a spell of working elsewhere has returned to help us pack the parcels. His horse racing tips are well sought after! |
| Krzysztof Warzyszynski UK Despatch clerk |
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Krzysztof has an M.A. in marketing, and therefore Keith hopes to get some good advice from him as soon as he has settled in! |
| Magda Kania Non UK Despatch clerk |
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Magda is a graduate of the University of Warsaw where she studied a Marketing & Management degree, and plans to eventually become a psychologist. Her hobbies including painting, music and walking in the mountains |
| Rob Bond Picking clerk |
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If this face scares you, it may be because Robert also works some evenings on the “Shiverpool” ghost tour! He is also a budding actor/comedian and can often be found cracking a joke and raising smiles upstairs in the picking department. In his interview Robert said he had recently quit his job working at a "Smoothie Bar" as it was too stressfull. Watch this space. |
| Mwai Wirima Despatch clerk |
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Mwai has come to Liverpool from Malawi to study Human Resource Management at Liverpool University. She studied A Levels in South Africa, and, in her spare time plays snooker and badminton. |
| Andrew Jenkinson Picking clerk |
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As you might guess from his photograph, he is studying mens hair dressing in college. When Andrew is in Hattons he can be found helping out in our warehouse or the tills in the shop. He is also helping out in our busy office, answering emails and helping get products onto our website as quickly as possible |
| Michael Tapp General assistant |
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When Michael turned 16 recently. His father sent him looking for his first weekend job. He found us round the corner from his local school. The Liverpool Blue Coat, where he is a high achiever amongst many. The only other old boy we currently employ from there is "Simon Rigert Harndon" who was expelled! |
| Gareth Garbutt Work experience placement |
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Gareth lists his hobbies as including walking, therefore he will gets lots of practise whilst collecting all the items for your orders! |
| Steve Freeman Picking Clerk |
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| Jason Sharman Picking clerk |
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Jason is originally from Quorn near Loughborough, and has studied a BSc Combined Honours in Geography & Computing at Liverpool University. He has travelled around Australia, and helped with charity work constructing housing in Romania. In his spare time he enjoys playing snooker, socialising and music. |
| Ciara O'Kane Non UK despatch clerk |
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| Tom Coleman Picking clerk |
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Tom studies medicine at Liverpool University and works with us part-time, helping pick mail orders for despatch within the UK and across the world. Originally from Huddersfield he is a keen footballer and likes visiting the gym and running.His favourite past time however is, ofcourse, working in Hattons!!! |
| Peter Jackson Customer Service clerk |
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Peter has recently joined us to help serve customers in the shop. He is a keen model railwayer and has been since 1961! Prior to working here at Hattons he was a signalman for the East Lancs Railway. |
| Jonathan Oppé Picking Clerk |
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Jonathan studies Sociology and Criminology at the University of Liverpool. When not busy failing at that he enjoys listening to pop-punk, going to gigs, films and playing xbox. He fulfilled a life long ambition afew years back when he met the Chuckle brothers and subsequently appeared in a photo with Barry Chuckle in Nuts magazine. |
| Dan Dan Ye Non UK despatch clerk |
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| Lee Siemaszko Picking Clerk |
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Lee worked with us back in 2002, and has spent the past few years working as a Personal Trainer and massous (No not that kind! A sports massous). He's working with us helping to put your orders together ready for dispatch. He can regularly be found at Anfield and enjoys going to gigs and going out with his mates in general. |
| Rhys Williams General assistant |
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Rhys is currently studying history at Liverpool University. He is a keen blues fan, not the musical kind, Everton! He enjoys playing football and rugby. |
| Jake Rosenthal General assistant |
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Jake is a student at the local Bluecoats school. He has recently completed his GCSE exams and is looking forward to A Levels in History, Physics, Economics and English (Literature). He plays in a band who have recently had their first gig |
| Paul Brannigan General assistant |
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| Richard Paxford General assistant |
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| Ryan Foy General assistant |
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| Michael Symons UK Despatch clerk |
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| J.P Mascot |
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We are proud to announce that J.P. "The Dancer" has asked to do voluntary work for us. We are honoured to have a B list celebrity here and have had two mentions already this week on local radio as a result.He is the first to enter DJ Glen Hunts "Hall Of Shame" as a result of his Pop knowledge and although made redundant as a table dancer at "Chilli's" on the High St is always in demand for public appearances. Please enclose an SAE with Autograph requests. J.P. is into models in a big way. he hopes to get more than one free double decker off the boss for his scale model of Edge Lane bus sheds made out of cereal boxes and sticky back plastic. J.P. is seeking any tapes or memorabilia from The "Paradox nightclub" in Aintree, Liverpool. Opposite the racecourse.Please let us know and we can get them passed on to him. The "Paradox" was open for over a full year in the Art Deco Style former Vernons pools building and during this time the local schools reported a marked drop in homework standards and a rise in Monday morning blues. |
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