Blending Numbers and People: Naomi Cooper’s Unique Path in Datalink’s Finance and HR
Meet Naomi Cooper, the Finance and HR Manager at Datalink Electronics. Her journey from a Management Accountant to the multifaceted role she holds today is as varied as it is inspiring.
With experience spanning manufacturing to not-for-profit, Naomi’s role at Datalink has allowed her to stretch her wings in finance and, unexpectedly, dive deep into the realms of HR and Health & Safety. It’s a story not just of career growth but of embracing new challenges with an open heart and a keen mind.
Naomi’s adventure began with a simple desire: to get behind the wheel of her own car. This drive led her from GCSEs straight into the workforce, starting as a receptionist at a car dealership and blossoming into roles that spanned finance, payroll, and management. Her thirst for knowledge and versatility propelled her into temporary assignments across various sectors, where she discovered her love for the entire spectrum of finance and a knack for people management. Fast forward, and Naomi’s role at Datalink has become a testament to her ability to juggle the numbers and nurture the company’s most valuable asset: its people.
A typical day for Naomi is anything but. From finance to HR to ensuring the office is a safe space for all, her daily dance is a delicate balance of priorities, governed by the rhythm of month-end finance activities and the unpredictable tempo of HR and Health & Safety needs. Whether she’s chasing payments, poring over cashflows, or smoothing out employee onboarding with new software, Naomi’s days are filled with challenges that keep her on her toes.
Yet, it’s the human aspect of her job that posed the greatest challenge and offered the most significant growth. Transitioning from the logical world of numbers to the nuanced sphere of people management and Health & Safety wasn’t easy, but Naomi tackled it head-on. She’s not just managing; she’s mentoring, transforming Datalink’s HR systems, and enhancing employee benefits—a journey that led to her recognition and promotion within the company.
What Naomi finds most fulfilling in her role is the variety it offers, allowing her to wear multiple hats and continuously expand her skillset. She thrives on optimising processes and systems, finding cost-saving opportunities, and negotiating contracts, always with an eye towards improvement and efficiency.
The team spirit at Datalink is something Naomi holds dear. The collaborative environment and the wealth of knowledge within the team make Datalink not just a workplace but a community of dedicated professionals. And it’s this sense of belonging and appreciation that she values most about the company culture—a stark contrast to the anonymity often felt in larger organizations.
At Datalink, excellence doesn’t go unnoticed, and every contribution is valued.
Looking ahead, Naomi sees a bright future with Datalink, eager to further her education in HR to bring even more value to her dual role. While she dreams of one day becoming a Finance Director, she’s more than content in her current role, focused on supporting Datalink’s growth and ensuring the company continues to be a place where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired.
Naomi Cooper’s story is a beacon for anyone navigating the crossroads of finance and HR. It’s a reminder that with the right mix of determination, flexibility, and a willingness to learn, it’s possible to turn challenges into stepping stones towards a fulfilling career. At Datalink, Naomi isn’t just managing finances and human resources; she’s helping shape the heart and soul of the company.
