From managing millions of assets to raising thousands for charity
Pickles is proud to be home to some of Australia’s most talented industry experts, including National Manager - Trucks & Machines, Hugh Rainger. After 20 years with Pickles, Hugh is well respected in the business and the sector overall, leading by example in both business and in social responsibility. With multiple charitable initiatives tucked under his belt in the last few years, Hugh’s charity work illustrates the spirit of the Pickles community.
In light of the success of one of Hugh’s most recent initiatives, we’re introducing Hugh Rainger to the wider Pickles community.
How long have you been with Pickles?
I’ve been with the company for 20 years come October. I began with Pickles as the operations manager at an old branch at Moorebank in Sydney, which moved to a different facility in Chipping Norton not long after I started. After working at the branch for a short stint, I moved into a sales executive role in Sydney.
What is the best thing about working at Pickles?
Undoubtedly, the best part of Pickles is the people. Not only do I enjoy working with all of the fantastic and talented employees at Pickles, I get to work with so many great people from different businesses and bodies within the industry.
Outside of all the great people I work with on a daily basis, the other great thing about Pickles is the randomness of my days. I love the way that everyday is new, changing and presents a different challenge. Every day, every asset and every auction is different from the one that came before it. After 20 years at Pickles, there are still new scenarios and situations that pop up that I’ve never encountered before.
What is your advice for someone looking to enter the industry?
You’ve got to just do it. To work in the industry you need to work hard, put your head down, thumbs up and have a go at everything. You have to be fearless, ask the ‘dumb’ questions, and ask and ask some more. Trust the people around you to have your best interests at heart and you will come out on the other side of 20 years and wonder where the time went.
Does Pickles offer career pathways?
Yes, we began a cadet program three years ago and have had three people complete the initiative so far. We’ve learned a lot since its inception and we’re seeing some great newcomers graduate from the program and manoeuvre straight into the business. It’s a fantastic concept and a way for us to future proof the business by uplifting the next generation of industrial insiders. Because Pickles is so large, there are often roles that need to be filled quickly and we’ve found that our cadets are perfect to slot into these roles as they’ve been trained and know how to step into any part of the business.
I love training and coaching young people. I love seeing them succeed and walk the road I did. I look at some of our young people all across the business today and think that’s me 15 years ago!
How are you involved in Remount?
Remount is a not-for-profit organisation delivering horsemanship programs for current and former service men and women and their families who experience stress related to their service, PTSD and/or physical injury. The initiative helps these families by connecting them with horses, which is therapeutic for all manner of physical and mental issues. It started about 11 years ago as a joint initiative to assist those who have served, which is something I am passionate about having many friends and acquaintances who suffer and have sacrificed in their lives.
This past January the founders of Remount and my good friends, Ben and Marina, were recognised with Australia Day 2024 Honours for their incredible work with the organisation. As a result,they were invited to tea with the Governor-General, with 20 close friends/volunteers, among whom I was included.
Do you engage with other charitable initiatives?
In 2023, alongside my brother and 7 mates, I walked the Kokoda Trail and raised $60k for Remount in doing so. This was largely due to the generous contributions from my colleagues at Pickles.
Also in 2023, I assisted the Torie Finnane Foundation (TFF), which is another fantastic operation run by friends of mine which raises money to upskill nurses in rural Australian regions. The TFF endeavours to improve maternity services in rural NSW through equipment, training and development opportunities.
Over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of charities, often providing free auctioneer services for events raising charitable funds. Some noteworthy initiatives that I provided charity auctioneering for include The Children’s Cancer Institute and The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Does Pickles offer volunteer leave?
Yes, they do and it’s a great way for the business to support its 850+ national employees to give back to their communities. Pickles offers a full day of paid volunteer leave each year to all permanent staff. However for me, I use my own time and it is the very least I can do to help the people that run these charities.
Want to work for a company that supports you, supporting others? Check out all of the jobs available at Pickles here.
26 Mar