With a father in the military, Andy Hiles spent his early years living in places such as Nigeria, Gibraltar and Germany, before settling in Sheffield where he trained as a teacher. And it was his teaching career which brought him, his wife and his two daughters to West Norfolk in 1984.
“I had travelled around a lot and my wife was from Romford but we both felt settled in King’s Lynn.”
Andy spent 17 years as a Mathematics teacher at Springwood High School before changing his career in 1998. Having completed his AAT qualification with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Andy moved to the newly-established Freebridge Community Housing when it was created in 2006. He has stayed with Freebridge ever since.
“I carry out various functions within the finance department at Freebridge, my specific responsibilities being looking after the VAT and leasehold service charges.
“I like the fact that I get to carry out a variety of tasks and that my advice and views are valued.”
Andy enjoys working for Freebridge because: “People matter to the organisation, whether they are employees or customers.”
He added: “At Freebridge, we have a good set of values that are real and demonstrated at all levels, particularly the very top.”
Having lived in West Norfolk for over thirty years, Andy feels the area has a great deal to offer. “We can get to the coast when we want to, and there are no big urban areas so I don’t feel ‘hemmed in’”.
“All the facilities I need or want are within easy reach and Norwich is only an hour away. Plus getting to Cambridge and London is quite easy.”
Andy thinks that West Norfolk is a good place to live and build a career. “There are the West Norfolk beaches, Sandringham, and similar places if you want to get out in the fresh air. Nowhere is particularly far from anywhere else, so getting to work, for example, isn’t generally that much of a problem.
“There are a wide variety of recreational actives available, especially if you like amateur dramatics or music. And there are opportunities here, including if you want to change careers like I did.”