Robert Kirkham-Evans – Assistant Credit Manager

Robert Kirkham-Evans has always had a ‘can-do’ attitude. For the past twenty years he has had a successful career in the high powered world of finance and although he has a disability, he has never been held back.

Since 2001, Robert has worked as an Assistant Credit Manager for Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation in Solihull. He was born with Cerebral Palsy, a disability that affects people in different ways. In Robert’s case his lower limbs are weak as a result and he uses a stick for support when walking.

Employer's story

Human Resources Representative Jackie Boydon sits on the company’s Diversity Council. The focus of the council is to promote diversity throughout the workforce.

As Jackie says “We look for people who fit the job. Disability is not really taken into consideration because our main priority is to ensure that a person has the ability to do their job. When we recruit new staff, we have to feel confident about their abilities.”

Support for employees

Once recruited, if an employee does have a disability, the company will do everything it can to be supportive. For example Robert’s work involves foreign travel so arrangements are made to ensure that transport is available within airports to minimise the amount of walking he has to do. Hotels are informed in advance that he has a disability so that he is allocated accessible and appropriate accommodation.

Employee's story

Robert has management responsibility for nine staff in the Solihull office. He also has responsibility for offices spread across Europe and the Middle East. As a manager he also recruits new staff.

Since he started to work for Caterpillar, Robert has been appointed to various roles, all of which have given him the opportunity for personal development. He says that he’s been challenged to move out of his ‘comfort zone’ and try areas of work that wouldn’t have been his first choice.

“Success as an employee at Caterpillar is very much based on an individual’s own resources, motivation and potential” says Robert. “The company believes that everybody has the ability to be a high flyer. The only thing that will hold you back in the company, is yourself.”

Minor adjustments

At Caterpillar, minor adjustments have been made to support Robert in his role. For example he has a reserved car parking space near the front entrance of the building and is given assistance during fire drills. Because his legs tend to get stiff if he has been sitting for a while, he is able to leave early one day in the week so that he can go to his local gym.

In spite of his positive experience throughout his career and his life, Robert admits that he went through a period of denial about his disability. “It took years for me to accept I was disabled. It got to the point where I didn’t want to ask for help. Now, I accept it.  I realise employers can only help if they know about your disability otherwise they just can’t help.”

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