What is your current role and how long have you been doing it?

Area Manager, Stevenswood, England Central. Since January 2022.

What does your role entail?

Establishing new branches in the region and recruiting new staff as well as overseeing two existing branches.

How did you get started in this industry?

YTS Scheme, straight from school (32 years ago!) as an apprentice window and door surveyor.

What roles were you doing before and how did they prepare you for this one?

Ran my own business, fabricating windows, doors and conservatory roofs for 10 years. Then branch manager for Window Fitters Mate (SIG) before moving on to Regional Support Manager, then Regional Manager. SIG was then acquired by General All-purpose Plastics (GAP) where I became Regional Operations Manager.

What would you like to achieve in your role?

To grow the Stevenswood England Central Area into a successful 10+ branch region. I aim to create a hardworking but fun environment for my staff in which everybody buys into the Stevenswood ethos of customer service second to none.

What has been the highlight of your career so far (can be more than one!)?

Every day is a highlight if I have happy customers and staff.

What do you see as the main issues for builders merchants and for the construction industry at the moment?

Supply chain is currently a hot bone of contention. At Stevenswood, we have superb support from in-group fabrication businesses so have a hugely reliable offering for the demanding trade.

 If you could go back to the start of your career, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Enjoy every success more and never push back on what can accomplished in a well organised day.

Football, rugby, cycling, golf or gardening – which one’s more likely to keep you busy at the weekends?

I am an enthusiastic marathon runner. Most weekends you will find me running a race in a random corner of the UK. My running has also seen me running in many European cities and even South Africa. I am also a big football fan and a lifelong Aston Villa supporter.

If you’re at the bar – what are you drinking?

I love a coffee.

What’s your favourite book? Favourite film?

Lord of the Rings book and films. I am also a huge Star Wars fan.

If you could be a superhero, what super-power would you choose?

Teleportation, so I can spend time with all my staff every day.