#Christmas talk with Randi

Can you give us a short summary of your 2022 - Cegalway?

2022 started with the merger between Cegal and SYSCO, we went from being just over 200 in SYSCO to becoming a company of over 950 - with the changes it brings! From the starting block, I was lucky enough to work closely with the management group and many talented employees in Cloud Operation ☁️. I`ve learned that the Cetegra product we offer is completely unique, and with good demand from our customers comes growth and the need to hire more superheroes. Therefore I helped start up office locations in both Larvik and Tallinn, Estonia, now everything is arranged there to fill up with more committed and skilled colleagues.

This autumn I have taken over responsibility for all our international offices 🌍, and I am in the process of visiting our employees and creating relationships both far and near. I have really found the job that suits me - I am very happy to have been part of a merger that has given me both interesting, challenging, and educational tasks.

What is the best thing about Christmas?

To have time for both friends and family, eat good food and relax. And long, cozy breakfasts! I'm looking forward to reading, listening to music and hopefully go outside for a few hours while the sun is still out 🌞❄️. 
Although my job is super interesting, it will be nice to have a proper break from Teams and e-mails.

This year's plan for the Christmas holidays?

I live in Oslo, but grew up in Kopervik and have family and friends there and in the Stavanger region. This year it will be some traveling. First, I will travel to Stavanger with my 22-year-old son and combine a few working days at the Cegal office there, with meeting friends in the evening. We celebrate Christmas Eve with my family there, this will be the first time in many years, so I'm really looking forward to it 🎁! On Christmas Day we travel back to Oslo and celebrate with our loved ones here.

Best Christmas movie?

Most Christmas movies have, so to speak, the same plot, so it is rare that they surprise. But it still gives a Christmas feeling to have time on the couch with a cozy Christmas movie, so there will be a few every year. And since I have lived in London for many years, I am particularly fond of Love Actually 🎬.

Best Christmas music?

I listen to everything Spotify serves me when I search for Christmas music.

Any funny memories of Christmas celebrations?

I have celebrated Christmas in several countries, both when traveling and in places where I have lived.
As a student in the USA, we were a small group traveling during the Christmas holidays, then we were able to borrow an empty house in LA and celebrated Christmas there. We slept in sleeping bags on the floor, and we put the gifts under the only piece of furniture we could find, a curtained staircase 🎄. At least it was a different Christmas.

Do you have any childhood memories of Christmas?

It must be eating mum's cookies straight from the box - while we were waiting for Christmas 😋.
And the annual puzzle we spent the space Christmas completing. I also remember very well the laughter around the table from the card game Mattis, then we used grandma's lampshades as head ornaments as we lost. Then the competitive instinct was high in the family.

What do you see for 2023 - Cegalway?

I hope it continues like this year! I want to get to know employees in all our countries better, and look forward to creating magic together - even after the Christmas magic has worn off.

Randi, Emilia and Kjersti on their way to Christmas lunch in the corporate management.  (Emilia Pliszka - Chief People Officer. Kjersti Ekeland Bjurstrøm - Chief Product Officer)