Meet the Team – Lydia Marshall

What does your role entail?

I work as part of the Asset Management team and help manage The Blade as well as some of our other sites in Kent, Suffolk, Norwich, Bristol and Buckinghamshire. I also support the wider CSR for the regional team. It’s definitely hard to explain the role in a few words - it’s just so varied from day to day!

How long have you been at The Blade?

I’ve been working at The Blade since October 2021. I studied at the University of Reading so it was great to be able to take a role in the town and work in the most iconic building that Reading has!

What is the strangest request you’ve managed?

At our Bristol office, a man came into Reception and asked for one square of toilet roll… An unusual request but I kept composed and quickly sorted out what he needed. He then left and I never saw him again! Didn’t know quite how to react to that one…

What makes The Blade such a special place to work?

I love working with the team that manages The Blade and Mark, Joanna, Charlotte, Kevin and Alison are perfect colleagues. There’s also a great community vibe with everyone getting on so well, even in such a big building. And of course it’s a fantastic location - being close to the town with excellent facilities.

Hobbies and interests?

I love cooking and trying new food. My other focus is running, and I’m hoping to do my first half marathon by the end of the year.

Claim to fame?

In my years working on the deli counter in Waitrose I served lots of celebs including Eddie Redmayne, Alan Rickman, Zoe Wanamaker, Giles and Mary from Gogglebox and all the Made in Chelsea stars you can think of… My highlight was serving Bear Grylls a sausage roll!