We have the best people work for us, and we are very proud of our team. Take a look below to meet just a handful of our fantastic team.


Karla Smethurst Assistant Merchandiser What do you enjoy most about working for Bench? “I enjoy that my role here at Bench is constantly on the go and has a lot of variety which makes for a stimulating and interesting day. I feel that there is always something new to learn and so am pleased that my time here is proving to be a valuable experience. “I also enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere that the office holds. All of the people that I have come across here are very approachable and always willing to help, making a great working environment.”		Ives Waters Business Project Manager Why would you recommend Bench as an employer? “I find Americana to be a progressive employer always looking to promote from within, and as a growing company there is always an opportunity to further your career in one aspect or another. “I feel the company tries to be professional without losing its sense of fun and there is great variety of dedicated people to be found in the company from designers to sales people, all with their own personalities, so life is never dull.”
Vicky Smith International Customer Relations Manager What has been your greatest achievement whilst working at Bench? “My greatest achievement would have to be landing the role that I am in now. I started at Bench 11 years ago with a job share on reception and some part time work packing boxes in the warehouse. After several months, I was offered a position working as an accounts assistant and general administrator in our retail dept. A couple of years later I was offered a position assisting the UK Customer Service Manager where I looked after our wholesale accounts and the mail order companies. ”After having a couple of children, and during which our International appeal grew, I was then asked to help out with our wholesale accounts in Germany and manage the International distributors. Today I now have a team of 2 people working for me and we control the customer service teams in France and Spain. We have several key International distributors collectively turning over millions of pounds every year and I have recently been handed the opportunity to manage South Africa as a key account which will allow me to broaden my business knowledge….and hopefully gain a visit there one day soon! ”I feel extremely proud to have come such a long way in my career at Bench and to have the privilege of seeing the company grow in such an unimaginable proportion!”		Polly Hewitson Business Analyst What do you enjoy most about working for Bench? “First and foremost, I’d have to say the people. Bench is a fun place to work, filled with like minded individuals, who enjoy their jobs and work hard to succeed in their careers. I have met some of my best friends here at Bench and I love the camaraderie and support that you get from the people here. It’s a big enough company that there’s room for you to grow but it’s also still small enough that you really feel like you’re one of the team. “As an analyst I already love working with numbers, but the added benefit that it’s to do with fashion makes it all the more interesting. What girl doesn’t love fashion?! As Bench is such a fast paced company it means that no two days are ever the same. One day I could be analysing the sales of jackets in Germany, the next I could be looking at the footfall figures in our retail stores. I’m very lucky with my role that I get to work across all areas of the business, meaning I get an insight into how the whole operation works, from initial concept of the product through to sales. This is something I really enjoy learning about and, as far as my career is concerned, something which will prove invaluable.”
Ceri Wallace Deputy Sales Manager Why would you recommend Bench as an employer? “I would recommend Bench as an employer because its one of the most exciting brands on the highstreet at the moment. Who else can offer incentives such as Melt Festival tickets, Instore DJs and Guestlists to Warehouse Project? “Bench consistently puts itsself at the the forefront of both fashion and music and, as staff, we must reflect that…We work hard.We play hard.We look damn good doing both! “With the business rapidly expanding there is always something different going on, and you constantly have the feeling your part of of something bigger. You may have think you have only sold a teeshirt but that teeshirt lead to us sponsoring the Grammys. “Bench is ever evolving, ever growing and you get the opportunity to grow and evolve with it .. and did I mention the uniform allowance?!?!?”		Nick Barber Head of Design (Men’s) Who are your style icons and why? “Steve McQueen somehow managed to look right in just about everything and helped to make some of the items he wore iconic. The Harrington jacket, desert boots, chinos, shawl-collared cardigans, as well as polo shirts are essential parts of the modern wardrobe that can all be traced back to McQueen in his heyday. “The Perry Boys really inspired me when I was growing up in Salford. Watching them at the football on a Saturday afternoon was my introduction to men’s fashion and I loved the fact that they seemed to take such pride in the sportswear labels they wore. The whole look was about standing out from the crowd and an obsession for detail.”