At Palintest we take a local view when conducting business and pride ourselves in offering excellent customer service – we would not be able to do this without our hardworking French-speaking team! We caught up with the team to learn more about them and their time at Palintest.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
To breath under water. I love swimming and being in the water, but I have never managed to master scuba diving so this would solve that problem.
What is the best place you have ever travelled?
Peru – I did the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, and it was truly amazing. I would love to travel to South America again, Patagonia in particular.
What do you get up to outside of work?
I love being outside running or walking and I also love playing and watching basketball, and tennis.
How did you learn to speak French?
I was brought up bilingually with my mum always speaking to me in English and my dad in French. I lived in the UK until I was 10, I then moved to France until I came back to the UK for university aged 18 – so I lived and breathed both cultures.
Why did you want to work for Palintest?
I applied for the role at Palintest initially because I liked the appeal of managing customers from different countries and cultures. When I came for my interview, I really liked the feel of the place, small but with big aspirations.
Can you describe your job in 3 words?
Wide-ranging, impactful and rewarding.
What interests you about Palintest products?
How easy they are to use and the clear key benefits to customers in different markets and applications.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
To fly. With a year of on and off lockdowns, the ability to get up and fly anywhere in the world would be ideal – preferably somewhere in the sun.
What is the best place you have ever travelled?
I have been rather lucky and been able to visit some great places for both work and pleasure. One of my top places must be Mexico.
What do you get up to outside of work?
One of my biggest past times is health and fitness, whether that is attending the gym or doing some outdoor activities.
How did you learn to speak French?
My mother is French Caribbean, and funnily enough as a child my French was better than my English. Over the years my English has surpassed my French
skills.
Why did you want to work for Palintest?
Palintest is an international business with a SME feeling where all the employees have a good working relation and ambition to reach our goals.
Can you describe your job in 3 words?
Diverse, mentoring and fun.
What interests you about Palintest products?
Being from a non-technical background the fact that our instruments are so easy to use.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
The power to know all languages without having to learn them.
What is the best place you have ever travelled?
I visited Thailand in 2005. I loved it because it was so very different to Europe and North America, also, the food was great!
What do you get up to outside of work?
I enjoy country walking and trail running, and gardening in the spring and summer months. When we are not in lockdown, I love to visit pubs and restaurants, and to travel in the UK and abroad.
How did you learn to speak French?
I went to France most summers for two weeks’ holiday when I was a child, so I think that is where my interest started. I was very excited to finally start learning French at school when I was 11. I then went on to study it at university and to use it in my work. I also spent two years living in Francophone countries.
Why did you want to work for Palintest?
I had heard it was a good company with excellent products and a good team spirit – it is!
Can you describe your job in 3 words?
Varied, international, and interesting.
What interests you about Palintest products?
It is so interesting to see how science is used in real world applications, especially in our products which can make such an important difference to people’s lives.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
An endless water supply for all those people that cannot access safe drinking water – I am not saying this because of the industry I work in, rather because I am aware of the number of people it still affects in this day and age.
What is the best place you have ever travelled?
NYC, the city that never sleeps. I loved everything about it, the diversity, the culture, the vibrance…
What do you get up to outside of work?
I am passionate about nature, which I like capturing on camera. Sunrises and sunsets are my favourite things, and I will happily give up weekend lie-ins (even in the winter months) for a beautiful sunrise.
How did you learn to speak French?
I am from a French speaking country where I did part of my schooling then picked the UK for University studies (unlike most of my siblings and friends who picked France) as I always wanted to be fluent in English.
Why did you want to work for Palintest?
I felt a strong connection with Palintest the very first time I read about the company. Reading about how Palintest technologies are used to provide safe drinking water, a basic human right, made an impact on me (and is still making an impact on me now) – I am proud to work for such a company.
Can you describe your job in 3 words?
Rewarding, incredible and fun.
What interests you about Palintest products?
It is fascinating to see the versatility of our products and how our technologies are used in a range of applications, from food and beverage to swimming pools.