Seven questions with... Hayley Midwinter

This week we put seven questions to Hayley Midwinter, Security Services Administrative Supervisor, UCL Estates.

What does your role involve and how long have you been at UCL? What was your previous role?

I manage the front desk staff within the Andrew Huxley Building where we deal with ID, key and access requests from students, staff and visitors. This includes arranging new and replacement ID passes, authorising room and building access as well as managing the huge amount of queries we get on a daily basis.

It can get very busy as we support the whole UCL community and we'll be assisting in the merger with the Institute of Education and the influx of 8,000 more students.

Before becoming supervisor, I worked on the front desk which has helped me come to grips with the role quickly.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Our customer service has been recognised by senior management - we've taken great steps to improve it by listening to feedback and making changes based on suggestions from people across UCL. We're making it a priority to go the extra mile!

We've also made it easier to get the right information by putting it all on the UCL Estates Security website.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

Right now, we're in the process of rolling out automated access to everyone at UCL. It's a huge undertaking but I'm assisting in speaking with key contacts from all parts of UCL about who needs what access and when.

The next step will be making the changes so that everyone will have an ID card that gives them access to the right places. As a student, you want to know you don't have to worry about if you can and can't access somewhere you need to be.

What was your first job straight out of university?

My first ever job was as a hairdresser in Essex! I realised after a while it wasn't really what I wanted to do and although it was scary to change careers, I'm glad I bit the bullet. It's important to not do something that makes you unhappy.

I took a job at UCL on a temporary contract and now I'm in a full time supervisor's role. Sometimes it's worth taking the risk.

What is your favourite and least favourite thing about London?

I love how convenient everything is - it's all within walking distance! I like how London's always alive no matter what time of the day (or night!) it is.

The worst thing has to be the congestion on public transport.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Prince Harry (as he's so different to the other Royals and relevant to younger people), Stephen Hawking (I love The Big Bang Theory TV show) and Marilyn Monroe.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I'm a huge West Ham fan - I had a season ticket for 10 years!