My story

Leaving there to pursue what was to become my chosen profession, repairing and maintaining Office Equipment including Printers and Photocopiers.

My first step into the “Copier World”, now known as the Managed Print Services, was a 3-year Workshop Apprenticeship at Vickers Reprographics in Manchester, leading to a field-based role which continued for 6 months before leaving.

I worked for two more dealers before joining NRG as a Digital Technician, progressing to the Technical Support Department, coaching and teaching other engineers on existing and newly launched products.  My first step into Management was with NRG, first in the North East and then the North West, where both teams achieved great success. 

Having committed 10 years to NRG, I was approached by M2, the biggest dealer in the UK at that time, to set up their new service and sales department in Glasgow, Scotland.  Following the successful implementation and other key projects within the business, including the Learning and Development and Health and Safety departments, I was offered the opportunity of a senior management post reporting to the Board as National Technical Manager.

This new role set an unprecedented level of challenge, to lessen the overall parts spend.  Expenditure was reduced by £1m in the first 12 months and  maintained throughout the following 3 years.  Heading up a team in excess of 80 staff, this was achieved by increasing the level of activity with remote client support, spearheading stock management and reducing operating costs, from which, savings were channelled into other proactive projects.

Following a successful and harmonious 13 years at M2, latterly SCC, I embarked on a new challenge and took up post as a Board Director at a smaller dealer based in Cheshire.  With a more diverse approach, supporting not just Managed Print but also Managed Services across IT, AV and Door Access, the business and the team are going from strength to strength.

My focus and passions have always been about work and working with people.  My Wife insists that my “other woman” is and always will be, my job. Key to my approach in life is leadership, having been influenced by strong leaders throughout my career, I endeavour to exemplify those qualities in my own professional practice.

Life is about collaboration.  And, as Stephen Covey explains –