A day in the life of... Scudamores supervisor James Efstathiou

Ahead of the Cambridge BID and Cambridge Independent job fair on Tuesday, June 20, we’re speaking to people in a number of roles around the city.

This week, we spoke to James Efstathiou, 27, supervisor at Scudamores in Cambridge.

Describe your role for us and what you do on a typical day.

In a typical day I will overlook the set-up of the station, organise chauffeurs, approve prices dependant on business levels and solve issues above what the station staff can handle, including customer and inter-colleague disputes.

When did you join?

In 2015.

How did you get to where you are now?

I started as a chauffeur pushing tours and selling tickets. In 2018 I injured my shoulder and retrained as a cashier. This gave me an understanding of the station and operational functions. This led me to applying to be a supervisor in 2021.

What do you love about what you do?

The part of the job that I love is being outdoors and dealing with people. Having such a large team, which can be upwards of 30 people to manage, can cause its stresses but also keeps the job fresh and dynamic.

Tell us about the toughest part of your job - and the most fun.

The toughest part would be having to manage so many different personalities and at the same time treat each one fairly and equally. This also makes the job more interesting as each encounter must be approached differently according to the staff member and situation.

Do you remember how you felt on your first day?

Well, it was a long time ago and I’ve changed and grown a lot as a person as I was 18 when I started the job. However, I can imagine that I would have been very overwhelmed and nervous of the prospect to tout on the side of the road and then give a 45-minute tour to 12 strangers in a boat.

What advice would you give to someone looking to work in your industry?

Enjoy it. You are outside, surrounded by young people who want to enjoy the summer and earning good money.

What’s great about working in Cambridge?

You can cycle everywhere. There’s lots of pubs, parks and the city is beautiful.

What do you aim to do in the future to further your career?

I aim to enjoy my life and keep doing what makes me happy.

Don’t miss our jobs fair

Interested in exploring new career opportunities – or attracting new staff? Cambridge BID and the Cambridge Independent are joining forces to host a job fair in Cambridge on June 20.

Featuring all sectors within the Cambridge BID area – from hospitality and retail, to office-based jobs and beyond – the job fair will take place at the beautifully renovated Downing Place United Reformed Church, at 11am-2pm. It’s free for visitors.

Want a stall? Email natalie.cargill@cambridgebid.co.uk.