Meet Cathy from Global Mobility
Cathy joined our Global Mobility team in 2018, having already worked in the industry for over 10 years. She finds helping colleagues and their families relocate from one Lidl country to another really rewarding, and champions the wide range of progression opportunities available with Lidl, worldwide.
What were you doing before you joined Lidl?
Before Lidl I was working for a defence and IT company as a Global Mobility Manager. I've been in Global Mobility since 2007, working mainly in the financial services and investment banking sectors in the City. I began my career in UK and expatriate payroll before I transitioned into Global Mobility.
What does your role entail?
As Lidl currently operates in 32 countries, employees often relocate on assignment, transfer permanently or go on business trips internationally. In Global Mobility we assist the employee and their family with the physical move and settling into the host location. We look after the whole assignment life cycle; from when we are informed of an employee going to another country or coming to the UK, we are their point of contact throughout their assignment.
We manage the compliance aspect of the different types of move, be it immigration, social security and tax. We also coordinate the vendors who assist with the move, searching for accommodation, schooling for the children, language lessons etc. I am proud that my many years of experience in expatriate payroll and Global Mobility has already made a strong impact within the team in how we operate and support our assignees.
Global Mobility sits within L&D and I work closely with the Talent Management team (also within L&D) to support our assignees who go abroad on our Development Programmes. The L&D team also design and deliver lots of training for the company. As a line manager myself, I have benefited from the great training the L&D team roll out specifically to support line managers within the business, in addition to Mental Health Awareness and Diversity courses.
What would you tell someone who was thinking of joining Lidl?
Lidl provide great opportunities and training to help you grow within the organisation as they like to promote from within. People can develop and move around different departments or internationally. There's a great team spirit here and if you’re feeling stressed or under pressure there is always support available.
what four words would you use to describe Lidl?
Fast-paced. Dynamic. Supportive. Fun.