Discover how taking ownership of your career and adopting an adaptive mindset can unlock huge opportunities within NEXT online technology.

In this episode of our Life At NEXT podcast, Ben shares his journey over his first year in NEXT online technology. We explore the balance between personal discipline and professional growth, how search and AI are evolving within retail, and why taking ownership is key to making a genuine impact.

At NEXT, we empower our teams to test ideas, take calculated risks and shape the future of our digital experience. From moving past comparison mindsets to adopting modern tools, learn what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced retail ecosystem.

00:00 - Focus on your own lane

00:54 - Community and run club culture

02:41 - Health, running and discipline

05:39 - How fitness fuels work performance

08:33 - First year working at NEXT

10:40 - Accountability and scale in retail

16:22 - Leading NEXT online technology

17:52 - Evolving search and customer behavior

22:01 - Practical AI in software engineering

33:17 - Making an impact at NEXT

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#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

What does it take to run a large scale creative studio within a major retail brand?

In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Sarah, Studio Production Manager, and Imran, Studio Creative Manager. Together, they manage a wide group of photographers, stylists, art directors, and logistics specialists across our studio network.

Sarah and Imran reflect on their career journeys from starting in temp and graphic design roles to leading large teams at our Enderby campus. They share insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting your team to drive change, and creating a supportive, diverse environment where ideas can come to life.

Whether you are curious about creative careers, production logistics, or how we collaborate across departments, this conversation offers a honest look behind the scenes at NEXT.

0:00 - What makes a good manager?

0:48 - Welcome to the NEXT Studio

1:23 - Roles in studio production vs creative management

2:42 - Breaking down the studio team structure

4:00 - Operations, sample management, and logistics

5:25 - The importance of clear communication

7:14 - Cultivating a supportive studio culture

8:21 - What is the output of the studio?

10:06 - Career journeys: From temp worker to manager

11:39 - From magazine design to corporate creative management

13:22 - Learning to trust your team and delegate

15:44 - Encouraging bravery and new ideas

18:50 - Building a diverse and inclusive community

21:25 - What makes working in the studio special?

23:40 - Advice for joining the NEXT creative team

26:25 - Perks of working at the Enderby campus

28:19 - Different photography skill sets in retail

30:50 - Supporting early talent and university partnerships

32:41 - Balancing long term planning with reactivity

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Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/rCuyB

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#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover why there is no single path to a successful and fulfilling career. In this episode of the Life at NEXT Podcast, we explore the power of continuous learning, professional growth, and breaking through imposter syndrome. Hear from Tom, who built a thriving 17-year career without a university degree, demonstrating how taking internal opportunities and strategic side steps can lead to long term success.We dive into how foundational retail experience builds essential skills in teamwork and handling high pressure situations. We also look at how modern Learning and Development (L&D) teams use accessible tools like digital learning and infographics to ensure real knowledge retention.Plus, discover how a supportive culture where everyone can be their authentic self drives our business forward, and why treating AI as an efficiency tool gives our teams more time to focus on high level expertise.
Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share to stay updated with our latest episodes! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://shorturl.at/DrQD2Follow us!Instagram: / lifeatnext TikTok: / lifeatnext Facebook: / lifeatnext LinkedIn: / lifeatnext

Discover the invisible art that shapes the digital storefront of a major fashion and lifestyle retailer. In this episode of the Life at NEXT Podcast, we pull back the curtain on our studio team to explore the role of retoucher, Izzy. Learn how this dedicated team manages an enormous volume of product imagery, using technical precision to keep every photograph looking authentic, considered, and true to life. Izzy shares her unconventional career journey, the reality of handling colour accuracy using calibrated light boxes , and NEXT's philosophy of "stealthy" retouching, where the best edit is the one you never notice. We also dive into a balanced discussion on AI in the creative process, exploring how it acts as a supportive tool for manual tasks without replacing human oversight. Finally, discover how our vibrant workplace culture, internal well being initiatives, and Head Office social events bring our creative teams closer together

Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/rCuyBFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover how the massive scale of data operations moves behind the scenes at NEXT. In this episode of the Life at NEXT Podcast, we sit down with a data analyst who successfully transitioned from a four-year primary school teaching career into our Business Intelligence Systems (BIS) team. Learn how the BIS department acts as a central hub, managing millions to billions of rows of data daily to provide a single source of truth for the entire business. We also explore the practical use of AI as an efficiency tool in data development, the reality of building technical skills like SQL and Python in the corporate world, and how soft skills like stakeholder management apply across completely different industries. Plus, find out how the NEXT Sports and Social club helps teams build strong relationships and support mental wellbeing outside of the office!Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/LnyGWFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover how we are moving sustainability forward at NEXT through data-driven packaging choices and international legislative compliance.Go behind the scenes with our Sustainability team at Head Office as we explore the vital role packaging plays across our entire global supply chain. In this episode of the Life at NEXT Podcast, Sustainability Manager Josh breaks down the nuances of material selection and the data required to eliminate recycling disruptors. Discover why swapping from plastic to paper isn't always a simple choice, how different European territories approach resource recyclability, and the ways our team collaborates with every area of the business to learn and evolve together.0:00 Introduction to Sustainability0:39 Putting in the Work Outside the Office2:46 Packaging Sustainability and Legislation4:11 Managing Supply Chain Materials5:16 Balancing Plastic vs Paper Choices6:45 Navigating Global Recycling Infrastructure8:10 Projecting Data: Red to Green Mapping11:49 Shifting Careers Into Retail18:10 Speed and Pace of Change at NEXT20:54 Working at the Head Office Campus24:09 Upcoming Environmental Legislation27:04 Championing Collaboration Across TeamsDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/EDfw9Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover how the NEXT technology team grew from 300 to over 1,800 experts driving our global retail and website innovation.

In this episode, we sit down with two members of our specialist technology team to explore the incredible evolution of their roles and the company culture that powers our digital growth.

From our roots in traditional retail to managing a massive, sophisticated e-commerce platform, our teams are structured into dedicated technology groups. These groups support everything from warehouse logistics and product development to store technology and HR.

We dive deep into our current initiatives, including how a centralised "ways of working" role is driving efficiency across departments. You will also learn how we use innovation days to rapidly prototype ideas, collaborate in person to solve complex problems and integrate AI as an enabler to automate administrative tasks. At NEXT, we champion an "attitude of taking it on" which fosters internal mobility, career progression and continuous learning. If you are looking to join a team that values your ideas, remember to always say "yes" to challenges and never be afraid to ask questions.

0:00 The NEXT Tech Evolution

1:15 Scaling From 300 to 1,800 Experts

3:40 How Our Specialist Technology Groups Structure Innovation

6:10 Collaboration and Shared Ways of Working

8:45 Using AI as an Enabler to Automate Tasks

11:20 Career Growth and Taking It On at NEXT

Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣

Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/EDfw9

Follow us!

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#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover what it is really like to take on a tech placement at NEXT. From university applications to building real features, here is Hasham’s story.What does it take to stand out in a competitive tech industry?In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Hasham Shakir, a placement developer working within our e-commerce department. Hasham shares his journey of moving 4,000 miles to join us, his initial experiences with imposter syndrome, and how our collaborative culture helped him thrive.We explore how NEXT embraces AI as a tool to remove redundant tasks, the rapid pace of native app development, and why having an appetite to learn matters far more than knowing everything on day one.Whether you are preparing for university placement applications or curious about a career in technology, Hasham provides practical advice on taking on new opportunities and building confidence.0:00 The mindset needed for a tech placement1:03 Why choose a placement at NEXT?2:26 Introducing Hasham Shakir: Placement Developer3:20 Navigating a competitive job market4:42 An unbelievable interview coincidence5:42 How NEXT tests problem solving7:14 Overcoming imposter syndrome with team support9:07 Moving between iOS and e-commerce teams10:41 The campus culture at Enderby11:39 Winning the internal AI bake-off13:18 Discovering a passion for coding14:25 How NEXT uses AI to save time19:50 Adapting to a fast-paced retail industry22:37 Taking industry skills back to university24:00 Advice for future placement applicants25:25 Overturning perceptions of a retail brandDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/EDfw9Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover what happens behind the scenes of homeware photoshoots at NEXT. In this episode, Studio Planning Lead Sarah shares her nine-year career journey.Sarah shares her experience moving from a Trainee Merchandiser to leading the planning for our major home brands at the Buzz Studio. She explains the massive scale of our studio operations, how we collaborate with partner brands like Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston, and why embracing change is the key to a happy career.0:00 Embracing change at work2:34 Meeting Sarah: Studio Planning Lead3:25 What it is like working in a creative photo studio3:48 Moving from merchandising to studio operations5:16 The scale of NEXT studio operations8:22 Managing our four distinct photo studios9:51 Shooting exclusive homeware collaborations11:47 Career advice on learning from mistakes16:01 How we manage licensing for global home brands21:15 Why the people make our culture successfulDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/EDfw9Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Discover what it means to be a leader at NEXT. From studying psychology to managing team dynamics and presenting on internal video channels, explore a 14-year career journey built on growth and connection.What does it take to guide a customer service team in a fast-paced environment? In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with a Customer Service Manager to discuss transferable skills, team development, and embracing digital tools like AI to enhance user experiences.Whether you are looking to take the next step in your management career or are curious about our workplace culture, discover how our teams use shared expertise to make an impact every day.0:00 The Mindset of a Leader0:51 From Psychology Degree to Customer Service1:42 An Unexpected Royal Meeting2:29 Applying Cognitive Psychology to Team Management4:14 Moving Up: Becoming a Customer Service Manager5:17 Presenting for Internal Communications (Team Talk)6:55 Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Mistakes8:33 Staying Organised in a Dynamic Environment10:09 Balancing Analytical Work with Arabic Grammar and Painting11:34 Developing Soft Skills with Canva and Coding12:46 Why I Am Proud to Work Here15:12 The Most Important Trait of a Manager16:03 Watching New Starters Thrive and Progress17:33 How Customer Support Technology Has Evolved19:12 The Balance of AI Tools and the Human Touch21:07 Reflecting on University and Life Lessons27:03 Career Advice for Your Next ChapterDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT! 📣Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team 🚀 https://shorturl.at/EDfw9Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn