Marketing & Purchasing Administrator - Joanne Beswick

I am the newest recruit to the Huey team – I joined the company in June 2012.  Having worked for fifteen years for a large automotive company, it was time for a change and, luckily for me, Phil and Becky were looking for someone to help them to expand the purchasing and marketing side of the Huey business.   This means sourcing new items to sell on our website and at airshows and I now know more about model helicopter kits than I ever thought I needed to know. I have never been too clever with arts and crafts but being surrounded by modelling kits of various aircraft, along with paint pots and brushes, I am tempted to have a go and create a beautiful helicopter.  Though my husband says if its anything like my baking it will never get off the ground!

The shop is so important to us as it raises funds to assist us in the very worthwhile job of keeping our two helicopters flying.  Here I am with Jo Connolly and Judith Gray at one of the hangar open days.

And there are definite perks to this job!  One afternoon in August 2012,  I was at the hangar quietly updating the stock database.  Out of the blue, I was asked if I would like to join Neil and Keith in the Huey for a trip to Blackpool.   I didn’t need asking twice and before I knew it I was strapped in to the Huey while Neil and Keith steered us towards Blackpool Airport to perform some of their display moves!   It was my first ride in a helicopter and it was incredible – as we passed smoothly over local fields, sheep were racing in formation to the far corners.  On reaching the airport, we began our manoeuvres - figures of eight and nose dips (my words not the official definition).   We were within a mile of Blackpool Pleasure Beach but I am certain that no one there was having as much fun as we were.

Working with the Huey team is a real pleasure – every day is different and there is plenty of laughter as well as hard work.  My interests away from work are:

Walking in the Lake District, preferably when the weather is fine but realistically in all weathers! Pilates – it helps me do the above!  Sorry no photo available for this! I have managed to persuade Becky to join me for the Pilates! Travelling – my ambition is to travel East to West Coast of America in an RV