Meet the Team

Name: Manal Awad

Job Role: Farm Software Developer

Length of service: 5 years, 3 months, 4 days

What attracted you to Muddy Boots: It was my dream place of work ever since I joined remotely from Egypt in 2013, I just love the English countryside. I'm quite lucky to be living between an abundance of greenery, exploring nature and the countryside is one of my new hobbies. Besides our gorgeous Ross office, it is the fact that I am recognised, appreciated and supported that keeps me going!

Tell us a bit about you and your work history?: Prior to working as a Farm Software Developer I worked as a Technical Support Representative (for a couple of months), just to challenge my introverted nature by speaking to people for 8 hours a day, trying to understand and solve their problems. I am very proud to have ranked first in customer satisfaction in my monthly KPIs!

What does a typical working day look like?: I like the structure of the day, it always starts with a stand-up meeting summarising work done, in progress and discussing any impediments with the team. If no meetings to attend, I do the one thing I enjoy the most about my work which is finding and building solutions for our customers, review my peers code changes and have a bit of banter. I do this daily with my amazing Farm team. :)

Interesting fact about you?: An introvert who loves to socialise and meet new people.

Ideal dinner party guest?: Michael McIntyre. Who doesn't like to have a laugh! 

Favourite food?: Japanese. I cannot have enough of the taste of spice and the healthy and delicious recipes.

What makes you passionate about food / farming?: It is ironic how I ended up working in food and farming for the past 8 years. I started in 2013 knowing nothing about farming (even though all my family from Mum's side are farmers) and then slowly after working in farm, I developed a passion towards food and its nutritional value. I have a lot of respect towards regulations that ensure we have clean and healthy produce.

Any skills or talents that people don’t know about?: Perhaps it is my passion for baking or violin practice!

What advice do you wish you’d been given early in your career?: It is fine not to have experience at the beginning. Do not let that affect your self-confidence, be courageous enough to start somewhere instead of being fearful of your situation, soon you will gain work experience.

Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you usually find me…… lazy in bed while my cat is trying to wake me up to play... It can range from housekeeping, doing my weekly shopping to a drive to a completely random place for a walk/road trip!

What’s one item you can’t leave your house or apartment without?: Most probably it is my phone or keys.

Describe yourself in three words: Loyal, tenacious, adventurous

What publications do you regularly read or what book are you reading now?: The Forty Rules of Love novel, by Elif Shafak.