Jayne Billingsley has been part of the Wray Bros family for almost 40 years, joining us when she was just 18. We caught up with her recently to hear about her journey so far. Over the decades, Jayne has grown into an essential member of the team. She has a deep knowledge of our products and a sharp eye for detail; always making sure everything runs smoothly and meets high standards.
Her commitment to quality and efficiency has helped shape the way we handle purchasing here at Wray Bros. Jayne’s expertise means she’s respected not just by her colleagues but also by the suppliers she works closely with. Her loyalty and hard work have made her a true cornerstone of the company, someone the whole team can rely on. It’s clear Jayne’s dedication has been key to the company’s success over the years, and we’re proud to have her with us.
#WeAreWrayBros
Purchasing Manager
1987–Present
Jayne has collected more than 600 pairs of earrings over the years, and even wore a traffic-light–designed pair when she passed her driving test!
I started Wray Bros in 1987 as an Office Junior. It was initially to cover maternity leave but I've been here ever since!
Very different to Wray Bros today. The company was originally called 'Willy Wiper'. There were only 3 members of staff and the main product we sold was cut rags for re-sale.
Oh yes, I remember it well as it was my very first office job. In all honesty, it felt a bit overwhelming at the start because there was so much to learn, and I was trying to take it all in at once. At 18, it felt like such a big leap into the ‘grown-up’ world and suddenly I was sat at a desk and answering phones.
Definitely technology, it's come on so much in the last 40 years. When I first started there were no computers or mobile phones. I used a typewriter- Tippex was my best friend! The evolution of technology over the past four decades has been remarkable, leading to drastic changes in the way we work.
At Wray Bros, we like to keep things simple. We’ve always said ‘Customer is King,’ and we mean it! From day one, it’s been about looking after people properly and doing things the right way. And even though time’s moved on, we’ve never lost sight of where we started. We’ve stayed local, loyal, and true to our roots.
Original Team photo. Can you tell it was the 80's?
Mark Wray, Jayne Ramos, Diana Wray, Graham Wray
![Prince's Trust Tradeshow](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/4978/1366/files/willy-wiper-cleaning-supplies-trade-show.jpg?v=1758275698")
Prince's Trust Tradeshow
I started out as an office junior, learning the ropes and supporting the team with day-to-day admin. Before long, I moved into an office manager role, which gave me the chance to take on more responsibility and really get stuck in. Now I’m working as a purchasing manager, where I get to use all that experience to build relationships with suppliers and keep everything running as smooth as can be.
Meeting Prince Charles, a long time before he was King.
Yes, I have made many good friends with colleagues and suppliers throughout the years and shared lots of happy times with them. I was recently at a party with 2 close friends I made in the very early days of Wray Bros!
When Covid hit, my role, and the years of experience I’d gained in the industry really came into play. I worked hard to secure stock and keep our supply chains moving, making sure our customers still got what they needed during a couple of extremely tough years. It was a challenging time for us all.
Along the way, I gained my MCIPS qualification in Purchasing and Supply, which gave me a solid professional grounding and the confidence to take on more complex procurement challenges.
I love growing my own fruit and vegetables.
Being in a choir brings people together and lets us create powerful, moving music as one voice.
I love anything live because its exciting, emotional, and unforgettable.
Each one has a unique meaning and energy that helps me feel more connected, calm, and balanced.
it's a fun and energising way to exercise while dancing to great music!
