Tracy has been with DAN Shipping since she was 16 years old, demonstrating remarkable determination and growth.

Let’s go back to the beginning…

Tracy is from Hull and grew up there. After finishing school, she attended the Northern Business Centre, where she earned an NVQ in Administration Level 2. These days, going to university is quite common, but back then, the focus was more on entering the workforce and earning money.

Completing an NVQ was similar to an apprenticeship, as it provided a qualification while also allowing participants to gain hands-on experience through various placements. Tracy’s first placement was with a solicitor, but she didn’t get the job there. The second place she interviewed at was DAN Shipping, and she has never looked back since. Lucky for us!

This is where her maritime journey began. Her first role was as an office junior, which mainly involved making countless cups of tea and coffee. Tracy couldn’t drive until she turned 16, so she had to take two buses to get to work and back. Initially, her duties included typing up invoices on an electronic typewriter and making carbon copies. She recalled that if you made a mistake, you had to use Tippex to fix it—there was no option to just “press delete.”

Tracy joined DAN Shipping just before her 17th birthday and essentially “fell into the industry”. Throughout her career, she has appreciated the security and stability that DAN Shipping provides, which has never made her want to leave the company. She has worked alongside many team members for years and describes them as family. Like any workplace, relationships can be complex, with some team members becoming close while others may not get along as well.

Her friendship with Charlotte is particularly special. Having known each other for more than a decade, they have developed a deep understanding and a unique way of communicating.

Now, Tracy serves as the Office Manager at DAN Shipping and has encountered various new learning experiences along her journey, including joining the John Good Group. She believes this has improved everything within the company, from the wellbeing initiatives to the Matthew Good Foundation.

If Tracy could give advice to her 16-year-old self at the start of her journey at DAN Shipping, she would say, “Speak up, don’t be afraid.”

Here’s a look at Tracy with her first car…