Ever wondered what it takes to power a massive online retailer like NEXT? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive chat with Tom, an Infrastructure Team Leader at NEXT Technology, as he reveals the incredible scale and constant evolution of one of the UK's biggest in-house tech operations!In this episode, Tom shares his journey from Senior Infrastructure Engineer to Team Leader and breaks down the crucial work that keeps the NEXT website, Total Platform, and international sites running seamlessly. Get ready to dive deep into:📈 The massive growth of NEXT Tech (from 700 to 1500+ people!) and endless career opportunities!🧑‍💻 What an Infrastructure Engineer really does (the unsung heroes of the internet!) ☁️ The big shift to cloud computing: Why it's a game-changer for scalability, efficiency, and future innovation!🤖 How AI is transforming IT operations and boosting productivity in tech teams!🫡 Tom's Army Reserve experience and how transferable leadership skills apply in tech!💭 Career advice for anyone looking to join the dynamic world of NEXT Technology!Whether you're a tech enthusiast, exploring an IT career, or just curious about how e-commerce giants operate, this video is packed with insights!0:00 Intro00:31 Welcome Tom: Infrastructure Team Leader01:03 Tom's Career Journey in IT01:41 From Senior Engineer to Team Leader02:04 What an Infrastructure Engineer Does02:47 Building & Hosting Infrastructure for NEXT's Platforms03:08 Transitioning to a Tech Team Leader Role04:08 Tom's Army Reserve Experience & Transferable Skills06:11 Enjoyable Moments in the Army Reserve06:56 NEXT's Support for Help for Heroes & Uniformed Services08:20 Exciting Developments in Tech: No Two Days Are the Same09:01 The Huge Shift to Cloud Computing09:18 Benefits of Cloud: Scalability & Efficiency10:20 Cloud Adoption Across Industries & Space Repurposing11:00 AI's Role in Tech & Boosting Efficiency11:34 How AI Helps Infrastructure Teams12:20 Advice for Joining NEXT Technology13:14 NEXT Tech: An Ever-Evolving, Growing Business13:50 The Importance of Staying Current in Tech14:02 Quickfire Questions: Whiteboard vs. Online Brainstorming14:36 Big Projects vs. Small Tasks15:02 Independent vs. Collaborative Work15:29 Understanding Self vs. Understanding Others16:11 Improving Existing Process vs. New Ideas16:37 Tackling Challenging Tasks FirstDon'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://tinyurl.com/3esp3ux8Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Shereen, an Infrastructure Team Leader in Cloud Services at NEXT, shares her inspiring career journey from an IT apprentice at 16 to a team leader.She discusses the critical role of cybersecurity in today's world, emphasising how her team remediates vulnerabilities and defends against constant hacking attempts to ensure business continuity. Shereen also highlights the rewarding aspect of nurturing her team's growth and potential, fostering a supportive and fun work environment. Finally, she offers valuable insights on being a woman in tech, noting the positive shift towards greater female representation in the industry.

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://tinyurl.com/3esp3ux8Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn

Listen to Charlotte, an Assistant Menswear Designer at NEXT, as she shares her incredible journey from Graduate Fashion Week to a thriving career at NEXT! Discover how she landed her dream role, the realities of fashion design, and the vital role of networking. Plus, learn about NEXT's supportive environment and the excitement of seeing your designs in store!00:00 Intro00:44 Meet Charlotte: Assistant Menswear Designer01:24 Landing the Role: From Womenswear to Menswear02:59 The Path to Design: From Science to Fashion05:02 The Pride of Seeing Your Designs in Store06:32 Relocating for NEXT: The Trainee House Experience08:23 NEXT's Presence at Graduate Fashion Week09:07 What is Graduate Fashion Week?10:21 The Power of Networking at GFW11:46 Bridging the Gap: University vs. Industry Design13:17 Top Tips for Graduate Fashion Week Attendees14:20 Quickfire Round: Work-Life, Future, and More17:41 Future Hopes and Progression at NEXT18:46 Support for Graduates and Trainees at NEXT🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://tinyurl.com/4epj868kFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#FashionDesign #Menswear #CareerJourney #NextFashion #GraduateFashionWeek #GFW #FashionCareers #DesignLife #AssistantDesigner #FashionIndustry #CareerAdvice #NetworkingTips #NextGenFashion #CreativeCareers #FashionStudent

Meet Nicky, Head of Marketing for one of our Total Platform clients, Victoria Secret. Together, Matt and Nicky reflect on her insightful career from store to head office, her beliefs around curating a motivated, and innovative team, and her advice for those looking to enter the exciting and growing world of marketing.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://tinyurl.com/46wu99ymFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #VictoriaSecret #Brands #Marketing

In this insightful episode of the 'Life at NEXT' podcast, Harvey, an Early Careers Development Specialist at NEXT, discusses the crucial early stages of career development and the exciting launch of the Duke of Edinburgh Award within the company. Learn about NEXT's inspiring culture, the importance of passion in your career, and the character-building benefits of the DofE programme!00:00: Intro01:11: What Does "Early Careers Development Specialist" Mean?02:20: The Importance of Early Careers at NEXT (80% of Managers Started as Trainees!)03:05: How Harvey Joined NEXT: An Unexpected Opportunity04:12: Embracing the "Let's Take It On!" Culture at NEXT05:15: Learning Through Challenges and Taking Initiative06:39: The Value of NEXT's Culture for New Employees06:59: Exciting News: The Duke of Edinburgh Award at NEXT!07:24: What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award? (Volunteering, Physical, Skill, Expedition)08:26: The Character-Building Aspects of the DofE Award09:34: Developing Resilience and Understanding Your Values10:13: Career Development is a Continuous Journey11:30: Why Early Career Development is So Crucial12:11: Quickfire Round: Insights into Harvey's Preferences13:44: Tackling Hard Tasks vs. Easy Tasks14:09: Working Solo vs. Working in a Team15:05: Positive vs. Constructive Feedback16:16: Looking Back vs. Looking Forward in Your Career17:05: Advice for Those Starting or Changing Careers18:12: The Power of Passion and Understanding Business Needs19:06: Building Rapport in Interviews🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://tinyurl.com/4epj868kFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext

Prim, our Head of Home Customer Service and Total Platform Customer Care, joins us this week to discuss everything from the importance of empowering your team, to the comfort of being yourself in the workplace. Prim also explains how his start at the company began in an unexpected way, from a "happy mistake" to an incredible career! 00:00 Intro01:17 Understanding the Head of Customer Service roles01:41 The variety of partners within the NEXT platform02:03 How a temporary role turned into a long-term career ("happy mistake")02:26 The sheer scale and opportunities within NEXT04:05 Working across different departments and locations04:44 The privilege of working with diverse teams05:09 Empowering team members and their career paths05:56 The analogy of customer service as "superheroes"06:21 A culture of drive and taking on challenges06:48 Personal motivation and company support07:34 Proud career achievements and team success07:50 The importance of authenticity in career progression08:51 Feeling proud to work for the NEXT brand09:37 The excitement surrounding the growth of Total Platform11:46 Navigating constant change and new opportunities12:07 The benefits of in-person connection with colleagues12:47 A lighthearted "Would You Rather" segment14:07 Looking ahead at exciting opportunities for NEXT14:53 Personal goals intertwined with career growth15:32 Complete Silence vs. Constant Loud Music15:53 Casual vs. Smart vs. Extra style choices16:58 Communicating via Email vs. In-Person Meetings17:55 Exciting opportunities within Total Platform and International growth19:14 Personal motivations and family🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://tinyurl.com/4epj868kFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeatNEXT #NEXT #podcast #FashionIndustry #BehindTheScenes #FashionDesign #CareerAdvice

Join us for an engaging interview with Charlotte as she shares her exciting journey into the world of fashion buying at NEXT, from landing the job through LinkedIn to navigating the interview process. Discover the supportive community within her team, and some invaluable advice for anyone dreaming of a career in product. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://tinyurl.com/4epj868kFollow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeatNEXT #NEXT #podcast #FashionIndustry #Sewing #GarmentMaking #BehindTheScenes #FashionDesign #CareerAdvice

In the latest episode of the Life At NEXT Podcast, Sai shares his experience as trainee developer. Since joining NEXT's Trainee Programme, Sai has been on an incredible journey full of opportunities for his career and personal development, and he's now sharing his tips and insights!00:00 Intro00:33 Welcome Sci: Trainee Developer at NEXT Tech00:54 The Trainee Developer Journey: From Placement to Full-Time01:17 Landing the Role: Overcoming Recruitment Challenges02:29 Thriving in the NEXT Tech Work Culture03:36 What Makes NEXT Tech's Work Culture Unique?04:20 Immersed in the Development Life Cycle: Data Migration Project05:03 Passion for Learning and Gaining Knowledge in Tech05:47 Exciting Projects: Working on a Chatbot with Oracle & AI06:39 The Reward of Seeing Your Projects Come to Life07:25 Team Environment and Mentorship: Graham & Georgie08:04 Embracing Opportunities and Finding Your Path08:26 Being Valued as a Trainee: Real Project Involvement09:39 Encouraging New Ideas and Open Communication10:33 Healthy Debate and Valuing Everyone's Input11:18 Manager Support and Creating a Space to Be Yourself12:32 Surprises About NEXT Technology: In-House Operations & Scale13:24 Abundance of Projects and Opportunities for Growth13:47 Working with DP and DP Clients: Broader Impact14:35 This or That: Meeting Styles (Agendas vs. Flow)15:17 This or That: Standing vs. Sitting Desk15:57 This or That: Messy vs. Clean Workspace16:37 This or That: Fast Typing vs. AI Reading Assistance17:23 Embracing AI as a Learning and Productivity Tool18:10 Using Gemini's Deep Research for In-Depth Learning19:28 Continuous Learning and Adaptability in Tech20:13 Shifting Perspective: Utilising AI Instead of Fearing It20:55 The Benefit of a Growth Mindset in the Workplace🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! (change this bit to match the video)Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://careers.next.co.uk/ (change link if needed)Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeatNEXT #NEXT #podcast #FashionIndustry #Sewing #GarmentMaking #BehindTheScenes #FashionDesign #CareerAdvice

Trainee Buyer and Merchandiser, Elyssa and Emile, join Matt to share all about their time so far on the NEXT Trainee Programme. Together, they talk through their journey into NEXT, how they secured their place on the product floor, what opportunities they've been apart of so far, and what's still to come for them and their future in fashion. They're also split in a quick fire of questions which now has us thinking; do we prefer early mornings or later finishes?

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://careers.next.co.uk/ Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeatNEXT #ArtDirector #careergrowth #fashionindustry #careerinfashion #CareerAdvice

Join us as we chat to Emily, the Childrenswear Art Director at NEXT! Emily talks us through her creative journey within the business, from starting as a graduate 7 years ago to now Art Directing Childrenswear sets! 00:00 Intro00:54 What is an Art Director? 01:21 Art Director Responsibilities02:17 Brand Consistency in Photography03:06 Career Beginnings: Early Roles and Experience04:09 Being On-Set Work04:47 Adaptability and Problem-Solving on Set05:29 Variety in the Art Director Role06:06 Career Achievements and Growth07:30 Athleisure and Market Expansion08:19 Career Confidence10:13 Career Progression and Industry Versatility11:20 Importance of Experience vs. Connections12:31 This or That Questions14:09 Music Preferences at Work: 80s Music14:52 Office Perks: Gym vs. Catered Banquet15:27 Communication Preferences: In-Person vs. Email16:31 Challenges On-Set17:06 The Reality of Childrenswear Fashion Shoots18:50 Future Career Goals and Aspirations🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://careers.next.co.uk/ Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeatNEXT #ArtDirector #careergrowth #fashionindustry #careerinfashion #CareerAdvice