Welcome to TQ&Me — our brand-new staff spotlight series that puts the people behind T.Quality in the spotlight.
From our depots and trade counters to our support teams and sales force, TQ&Me gives you a chance to meet the faces behind the brand. Each edition features a quick Q&A with a different team member, sharing stories, insights, and maybe even a few surprises about life inside and outside of T.Quality.
Whether it’s someone you know or someone new to you, this series is all about celebrating the individuals who keep our business moving.
Name: Anil Haththotuwegama
Job Title: Fish Procurement Manager
1. How long have you worked at T. Quality, and what roles have you held during your time here?
I first joined T. Quality in 1997 as a Regional Sales Manager and spent 8 years with the business before taking a short break. In 2009, I returned, and after a further 24 years, I’m now retiring as Fish Procurement Manager.
2. What’s your fondest memory from your time at T. Quality?
There’s a lot. One of my favourites was on my very first day, the previous managing director, Danny Ross, he didn’t let me leave the room until he could pronounce my surname right, and the chairman managing to get me tickets to see England vs Sri Lanka at Lords Cricket Ground even when it was sold out.
3. How has the business changed since you first started?
The core hasn’t changed a great deal however in terms of digitising the business, it has majorly changed, we have grown through the use of the internet, social media and the app enormously. We are moving on with the new wave of communication. It has become a national company from a Southern-based company, which is a great achievement, and I am proud to have been a part of it.
4. What will you miss the most about working here?
The people. Simply the people.
5. If you had one piece of advice for colleagues still in the business, what would it be?
Keep smiling and be positive. Tomorrow is a new day.
6. What are your plans for retirement?
A lot. Travelling, one thing in my bucket list is to go to Melbourne to watch the Ashes on Boxing Day with some friends, we have done tours to Sri Lanka in the past, when we were in Sri Lanka we had the full “Barmy Army” experience which was brilliant. En route to Australia I want to stop in Cambodia and Vietnam, top to bottom. On my travels I will continue my hobby of photography and document where I go.
I want to spend time with my family as well as find out as much as I can about my family’s past.
Around COVID time, my cousin and I started a “Haththotuwegama project” looking into our family history, finding out lots of surprising true stories, we have gone back as far as 1823, and have recorded history around the 5th and 6th century with the surname. This a lifelong project for me.
7. Finally, if you had to sum up your time at T. Quality in three words, what would they be?
Truly memorable time
A message from T.Quality:
We would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to Anil for his hard work, dedication, and commitment to the business over the years. His contribution has been greatly valued, and he will be very much missed by colleagues and customers alike.
From everyone at T.Quality, we wish Anil a very happy and well-deserved retirement.
Stay tuned for more TQ&Me interviews fortnightly.
