Life at Next

In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Elliott, our CRM Manager for NEXT Total Platform, to discuss his unconventional journey into the world of Customer Relationship Management. From creating video adverts to land his first marketing job to scaling international email campaigns for NEXT, Elliott shares the pivotal moments and strategic thinking that have shaped his career....

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the NEXT Mainframe Academy with Tony, a Technical Trainer with nearly three decades of experience, and Tom, a recent graduate from the Mainframe Academy's third cohort. They bust common myths about mainframe technology, revealing how it powers everything from your credit card payments to your online shopping. Discover why NEXT is doubling down on &qu...

Ever wondered what it takes to get your NEXT order to your doorstep? In this episode, we go behind the scenes with two of our distribution site managers to explore the fast-paced world of logistics at NEXT. From picking a million units a day during peak season to processing 45 million returns a year, we dive into the incredible scale of our operations. Our guests also share their inspiring career...

Join us on the Life at NEXT podcast as we chat with Sarah, an Assistant Print Designer on women's non-clothing. Sarah offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of fashion design, sharing her journey from a creative childhood to a thriving career at NEXT. Discover how her passion for art and textiles transformed into a professional path, and learn about the intricate process behind designing...

What is it really like to start your career at a major retailer? We sit down with Harrison, a Finance Trainee on our graduate programme, to get an inside look at his first few months with NEXT has been like. From being thrown into the deep end with major projects, to leading team-building archery sessions in the car park, Harrison shares how the reality of working in finance at NEXT went above and...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to open one of the UK’s largest new retail stores? In this episode, we sit down with Simon and Tasha, two of our incredible retail leaders who were at the heart of our monumental Thurrock store opening. With a combined 41 years of experience at NEXT, they share their career journeys, what it was like to merge two large teams, and the surreal feeling of standing...

What does it take to build an app that’s used by millions, and what do you do when you discover a 54% untapped market opportunity? In this episode, we sit down with Jess Bennett, Product Owner for the NEXT app, to pull back the curtain on the tech that powers your shopping experience. Jess reveals the fascinating data behind the global app market: 78% of users are on Android, yet they only make up...

In this deeply moving episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Chris from our Technology team to hear his powerful story of being diagnosed with stage two cancer at just 30 years old. Chris speaks with incredible openness about his journey, from the first symptoms and the initial diagnosis to the fear and vulnerability he felt. He shares why he believes using his voice was the most cr...

In this deeply moving episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Chris from our Technology team to hear his powerful story of being diagnosed with stage two cancer at just 30 years old. Chris speaks with incredible openness about his journey, from the first symptoms and the initial diagnosis to the fear and vulnerability he felt. He shares why he believes using his voice was the most cr...

What does it take to tear down a multi-million-pound mobile app and rebuild it from the ground up? In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we talk to Dave and Phil from our Technology team, who were at the heart of one of the most ambitious projects in NEXT's history: rewriting our iOS and Android apps. Together, they take us behind the scenes, discussing the move from a cross-platform framew...

Have you ever thought about making a major career change to follow your passion? In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Trainee Buyer Olivia, who did exactly that. She shares her journey from studying nursing to landing her dream job in fashion at NEXT.Olivia gives us an inside look at the life of a trainee, highlighting the supportive team culture and the unparalleled learn...

Ever wondered how the thousands of product images on the NEXT website are made? It’s not always photography! In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with 3D Modeler Keiren to explore the futuristic world of 3D modeling and its massive impact on the retail industry. Join us as Keiren pulls back the curtain on his career journey, from his initial passion for the gaming industry to d...

After 33 years at NEXT, our Head of Complaint Resolution, Sarah-Lousie, had built an incredible career and believed nothing could shake her. But a sudden breast cancer diagnosis changed everything. In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, she shares her powerful story. From the initial shock of her diagnosis to the critical role our onsite GP played in getting her f...

Have you ever considered relocating for your dream job? In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Megan, Assistant Designer from our Homeware team who did just that, moving from London to Leicestershire to pursue her career ambitions. She shares her entire journey, from the reasons behind the move to how the improved quality of life has impacted her. Discover what a day in the...

Join us for a special 100th episode of the Life at NEXT podcast! We're celebrating this incredible milestone by looking back at some of the most inspiring stories and insightful moments from our guests across the business. In this episode, you'll hear about the incredible growth of our operations with the new E3 warehouse, the passion and dedication of our retail teams, and the collaborati...

What does it take to find and nurture the future talent of a leading retailer? In this episode, we sit down with Anthony, a Recruitment Coordinator for Early Careers, to get an exclusive look behind the scenes at NEXT. Anthony shares his personal journey to joining the company, what his role really entails, and how NEXT is flipping the script on traditional recruitment. He offers invaluable advice...

Ever considered relocating for your dream job? Lucy, an E-commerce Marketing Executive at NEXT, did just that! In this episode, Lucy shares her incredible journey of moving cities, diving headfirst into her new role, and building a successful career in the fast-paced world of international e-commerce. Join us as Lucy pulls back the curtain on what it takes to market a global brand, revealing the s...

In this episode of the LAN Podcast, we sit down with Mark and Danny from the NEXT Loss Prevention team to discuss their career journeys and the power of a people-first culture. They share inspiring stories of individuals who started as warehouse operatives and rose to management positions through determination and a positive attitude. The conversation also delves into the evolution of "Loss Preven...

Ever wondered what it's like to manage millions in budget, and get a new clothing brand off the ground? In this episode, we sit down with Callum, a Merchandiser for "The Set" at NEXT, to explore his career journey and his role in this fast paced new brand.00:00 What is The Set?01:47 Callum's 6 Year Career Journey at NEXT02:26 How Merchandising Differs at NEXT03:28 What Does a Merchandiser Do?03:54...

What does it take to build a decade long career at one of the UK's biggest retailers? In this episode of the Life at NEXT podcast, we sit down with Brand PR Coordinator Asia to discuss her incredible journey, from starting as a Christmas temp at 16 to shaping our brand's image in the fast-paced world of PR.Asia shares the reality of working in Public Relations (hint: it's not all glamo...

In this insightful episode, discover how NEXT has evolved over four decades, from its early days with 500 employees to becoming an international e-commerce giant. Ted provides a unique perspective on the company's biggest transformations, including the monumental impact of the website launch. Learn about the vital role of a Product Development Manager, focusing on people management and fosteri...

Meet Sarah, a three-time Paralympian and two-time European bronze medalist in wheelchair basketball, and Reena, a six-time boxing champion! Discover how their journeys in sport have sculpted their unwavering dedication, resilience, and unique skill sets. Learn how the lessons learned on the court and in the ring are directly applied to their successful careers within NEXT's dynamic environment. Fr...

Meet Amy, a talented designer on the NEXT Home team, specialising in kitchenware design, including textiles, print, and pattern. In this insightful conversation, Amy takes us through her remarkable 10-year journey at NEXT, starting from a placement and progressing through various design areas across home products. She shares what it truly means to be a designer. Amy also highlights the significant...

Meet NEXT graduate, Eve, who transformed her background in mathematics into a thriving role in logistics management for our Total Platform team. Discover how she initially envisioned a different path but found her true calling at NEXT, manifesting a fashion job with numbers. In this episode, Eve shares her candid experience of transitioning from university life to the corporate world, highlighting...

Go behind the seams with Harry, a Trainee Buyer at NEXT, as he pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to turn a degree in Buying into a thriving career! In this interview, Harry shares his journey from university, studying Fashion Buying with Marketing, straight into the dynamic world of menswear socks at NEXT. Discover how a placement year proved invaluable in preparing him for the fast-...