Gurneekh Kandola
Finham,Coventry
Summary
With over 10 years of experience in the banking sector and 6 years as a Personal Assistant, I have honed my ability to work effectively both independently and within a team. My background has equipped me with strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, enabling me to thrive in dynamic environments. I am highly motivated and committed to delivering quality work, consistently exceeding expectations. I am also committed to continuous learning and actively seek opportunities to grow and develop professionally. I have successfully built and maintained strong relationships with various senior leaders, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. My goal is to bring value to any team by combining my experience, adaptability, and dedication to excellence.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
DHL Exel Supply Chain – Marks & Spencer’s Division
Coventry
- At DHL Marks & Spencer’s, I was part of a large, dynamic team, where I successfully adapted to a variety of shift patterns, including morning, day and night shifts
- This experience demonstrated my flexibility and ability to perform under different conditions
- My responsibility included, creating labels for store products and ensuring all items were properly tagged, contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of the store’s inventory management system
- Management was impressed with my performance early on, which led to my appointment to the fast-track department, just two weeks after starting
- In this role, I was trusted with the responsibility of ensuring the correct items were placed in the right areas, ready to the delivered to various stores across the UK
- I felt highly valued by management for their confidence in my abilities, and the opportunity to take on such responsibility so quickly reinforced my commitment to excellence in my work
- I was part of the team that set a new company record for the highest amount processed in one working day and was acknowledged and awarded for my contribution
Planning Assistant (Head of Business Performance)
HSBC UK
Birmingham
01.2021 - 03.2025
- With the transition from Personal Assistant to Planning Assistant, I took on additional responsibilities, expanding my scope of work:
- Double hatted and covered an Executive Assistant for a 6-month maternity period for The Head of Business Finance CMB (GCB2)
- Full ownership of the FTE and Cost Management for a headcount of 50, ensuring efficient budget allocation and monitoring expenses to maintain financial alignment with organizational objectives
- Input data into a spreadsheet and feedback monthly to the department head
- Responsible for the end-to-end talent sourcing and recruitment process for a team of analysts and finance professionals, from junior to senior level
- Engaged in the process to help leaders define the role, agree key criteria and working with HR to advertise and complete administration including interview questions
- Experience participating in Interviews for Senior Level
- Safeguarding and ownership of BCP (Business Continuity Plan) and BRCM documents for the department
- Ensuring its effectiveness through regular reviews and the completion of required exercises to maintain readiness in the event of disruptions
- Ownership of the Internal Controls Checklist, ensuring it is thoroughly reviewed and completed on a monthly, half yearly, and yearly basis to maintain compliance and operational integrity
- Provide secretariat (agenda, minutes, action tracking) support to the Supply and Demand forum
- Consolidate review scores and annual objectives of the team
- Shared ownership with the Support Manager, producing the monthly newsletter for the wider Data and Analytics department, where we collaborate to highlight key achievements, recognize achievers of the month, share useful information and reflect on the months progress
- Active member of the social committee, contributing to the planning and organising of wider events that foster team engagement and enhance workplace culture, for a headcount of 250
Personal Assistant (Head of Business Performance)
HSBC UK
Birmingham
07.2018 - 12.2021
- Pro-actively manage the department head’s inbox and diary administration, ensuring efficient scheduling, timely responses, and seamless coordination of daily activities, all while aligning with business demands and priorities
- Manage the travel arrangements for the Head of Department and his direct reports, ensuring cost efficiency while maximising travel time and logistical coordination, to meet both business needs and budget requirements
- Raising purchase orders and processing invoice payments in accordance with company procedures, ensuring accuracy and compliance for the team
- Ensuring all compliance/bank ethics are maintained predominantly in respect of employee files, holiday, sickness records and other HR administration processes
- Providing administrative support and serving as the first point of contact for senior managers within the business area and team, providing prompt and professional support to address their needs and facilitate effective communication
- Organise team meetings and larger events, such as the team offsite, by coordinating logistics, producing detailed agendas, and preparing comprehensive event packs to ensure smooth execution and clear communication, for a headcount of 50
- Supporting production of presentations and papers
- Administering ad hoc projects/tasks and providing planning support to the team
- Uploading news & research to the department SharePoint as required
Customer Experience Representative
HSBC UK
Birmingham
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Managing customer queries and complaints and resolving at first point of call to achieve maximum customer satisfaction
- Appointed leadership on the branch floor, ensuring all colleagues are aware of customers waiting and appointments scheduled on the daily set-up
- Carrying out end of day checks and ensuring all confidential waste and audit are locked/stored away correctly in adherence to bank procedures and policies to eliminate risk of both your clients and employee’s information
- Engaging in effective and holistic conversations with new and existing customers, to build strong professional rapport
- Ability to adapt to the changing demands of business needs and focus on growing the business
- Versatility to adapt to changing demands i.e
- Front office serving customers to cashier counter cover
- Anticipating potential staffing shortages during peak times and proactively arranging cover to minimize any impact on customers
Cashier
HSBC UK Branch
Birmingham New Street
08.2016 - 08.2017
- Developed a comprehensive understanding of HSBC’s products and services, enabling me to effectively assist customers with their needs and refer them to the appropriate colleagues to support their entire customer journey
- Processing transactions with precision while upholding high standards of quality, ensuring accuracy, and complying with banking policies and procedures
- Understand & continue to develop my knowledge of operational risk, legal & regulatory requirements & operating procedures & practices
- Efficiently and accurately addressing customer queries and fulfilling their requests
- Evaluating accounts and submitting Unusual Activity Reports as needed to mitigate potential risks
Customer Advisor/Returns Operator
B&Q plc
Coventry
04.2013 - 01.2016
- Successfully completed 3 years of service as a Customer Advisor and Returns Operator at B&Q, consistently delivering excellent customer service by managing multiple demands and handling difficult customer situations with professionalism and patience
- Processed returns and exchanges for items no longer required
- Handled customer complaints as the first point of contact, working proactively to resolve issues and ensure customer satisfaction
- Appointed as the lead for training new team members, providing guidance and support to ensure a smooth onboarding process and integration into the team
- Answered all outgoing calls at the front desk, ensuring prompt and professional communication
- Transferred calls to the appropriate department for more complex queries, ensuring customers received accurate and timely assistance
- Made speaker announcements in-store to promote current deals and special offers, keeping customers informed and engaged
- Managed and processed altercations and cancellations for both small and large sum orders
- Promoted and facilitated customer access to company services, including the Rug Doctor & Hertz Van hire
- Inputting customer club card details on to the server
- Signing for all orders brought into store
- Recognised by Management and Colleagues for my strong initiative, effective training of new team members, and my calming manner and positive attitude when handling complex customer queries and complaints, which led to my appointment as the team lead for the Returns desk
External Consultant
St Giles Hospice
Birmingham
09.2014 - 05.2015
- During my third year at university, I was part of a dynamic team of eight called 'Quantum Consultancy,' where I gained valuable experience collaborating with St Giles, a care agency based in Birmingham
- They enlisted us as external consultants to enhance their retention and recruitment processes
- In addition to this challenging role, we were tasked with producing a comprehensive written report and a client briefing document, detailing our consultancy approaches, data collection methods, intervention strategies, data analysis techniques, and recommendations
- I thoroughly enjoyed working in the consulting industry and supporting St Giles in their efforts to improve and strategically grow their organization
Education
HNC/D - Business & Management
Birmingham City University
01.2010 - 1 2015
Level 3 - Business
City College
09/2008 - 06/2010
Finham Park Secondary - undefined
Finham Park Secondary
01.2003 - 1 2008
Skills
Inbox management
- Communication
- Stakeholder engagement
- Problem-solving
- Analytical thinking
- Time management
- Prioritisation
- Adaptability
- Ability to work under pressure
- Results-Oriented attitude
- Efficient decision-making
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Strategic planning
- Effective administrative skills
- Complex diary management
Accomplishments
- 2-year Voluntary Youth Worker
- Professional Ballet Dancer (7 years): Awarded Distinctions & Highly Classified for all dance panel examinations.
- Cheerleader (Cov Squad Member): Broke the world record for the largest cheerleading routine on American Independence Day at Bedworth United Football Ground.
Timeline
Planning Assistant (Head of Business Performance)
HSBC UK
01.2021 - 03.2025
Personal Assistant (Head of Business Performance)
HSBC UK
07.2018 - 12.2021
Customer Experience Representative
HSBC UK
08.2017 - 07.2018
Cashier
HSBC UK Branch
08.2016 - 08.2017
External Consultant
St Giles Hospice
09.2014 - 05.2015
Customer Advisor/Returns Operator
B&Q plc
04.2013 - 01.2016
HNC/D - Business & Management
Birmingham City University
01.2010 - 1 2015
Finham Park Secondary - undefined
Finham Park Secondary
01.2003 - 1 2008
DHL Exel Supply Chain – Marks & Spencer’s Division
Level 3 - Business
City College
09/2008 - 06/2010
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