Matthew Hickman, ECOBAT: Leadership Through Adversity

In recognition of his hard work and commitment, Matthew Hickman of ECOBAT Battery Technologies has been awarded a Special Commendation.

Matthew has had to adapt to challenges, and his determination to succeed really stood out in this year’s awards. He first started at ECOBAT 10 years ago, when he was 19, and has risen through the ranks to take on an Assistant Manager role. Stepping into a manager role for the first time can be a daunting experience, and many face difficulties in moving from being one of the team to its leader.

Matthew clearly had all the skills, ability, and determination to excel in his new role, but completing a Team Leader Supervisor Programme with Intec supported his knowledge of management tools and theories, giving him more confidence.

“The main skill I have developed is the way I talk to my team, as I now understand the types of personalities and how to manage them. The apprenticeship has also given me the confidence to speak in front of the whole team, and I am able to apply what I’ve learnt when trying to resolve an issue. It has improved my skill set as a manager.” – Matthew Hickman.

His line manager, Steve Davis, agrees: “I’ve worked with Matt for 10 years now, and he is what I would describe as a people person. He interacts with colleagues at all levels of the business and is a great communicator, putting people at ease and getting them to open up and buy into his ideas. He understands the business from the warehouse up, which makes him great at managing staff and their daily duties. He is well respected and isn’t afraid to muck in, which has earned him the respect of those he works with.”

Juggling a full-time role and a professional qualification is a balancing act in itself, one many managers can relate to. However, life often throws up challenges we would never expect to face, and adapting to them requires resilience—something Matthew’s tutor, Lisa Bessant, has witnessed first-hand: “After a house fire, Matthew and his family had to move out of their home for six months and are yet to move back in. Despite this, he has never missed a deadline.”

Matthew’s ability to adapt and his determination to succeed and overcome challenges deserve to be celebrated and are the reasons why he’s been awarded a Special Commendation.

Congratulations, Matthew!